Chapter 6
Lindsay
I’m doing my best to breathe. The anxiety I have coursing through my bones has everything to do with how his touch makes me feel alive. As we pass people, I don’t even bother ducking my face away from the men out of habit. We take the seats, but he doesn’t let go of my hand, and I can’t be bothered to pull it back. I shouldn’t be holding hands with a stranger, but something about him makes me feel safe and welcome. The warmth and tenderness in his eyes steal my heart piece by piece. By tomorrow, I’ll be halfway in love with him if he keeps this up. As the crowd sings, we lose the ability to have a meaningful conversation.
He pulls out his phone, then he demands loudly over the music, “Babe, give me your number.” I rattle it off to him while he programs it. A second later, I get a text. I love your smile. So damn kissable.
I send one back. Then why don’t you kiss me?
I’m looking for more than your lips, I want your heart.
Charmer. Yours is pretty sexy, too.
His fingers move rapidly over the device. I wait for my text. I’m a little impatient as he backspaces it. What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not stealing hearts?
Cooking them. I tease.
Damn, harsh. I’m gonna have to be careful around you. His eyes widen, and he twists his perfect lips like he’s thinking of getting up and running away. He doesn’t seem like a man who’s easily intimidated.
Oops, did I scare you off? I ask even though I’m afraid of the answer.
No, I’m ready to cut the fucker out for you. I laugh it off and turn back to the concert. He’s definitely a smooth talker when it comes to the ladies, and sadly it’s working on me, too.
My phone dings again, but it’s not him. It’s from Katherine. Hey girl, where are you? I’m at the car.
I came back to our seats with a friend.
Shit, I must have missed you.
Fuck. Just an FYI your brother’s here.
“Oh shit.” I don’t know what to say about this. We’re just talking even if it’s not all innocent or at least our intentions aren’t. I’m certain it won’t be hard for my brother to see what’s transpiring between us.
“What’s wrong?” he asks.
“My brother’s here. I have to go. I’m sorry, but maybe you can call me. I don’t want to tell him about this. At least not yet.”
He presses his lips together, likely tempering his words first. “Damn, I understand. I’ll meet him sooner or later. I’ll go get my sister and see if she’s ready to leave.”
He’s headed toward our seats.
Roman kisses my hand, then says, “Goodnight, babe. Call me when you get home.”
“I will,” I reply, feeling the loss as he walks away. Damn it, my mind is a total mess right now. It’s not that I haven’t tried to date since the attack, but it’s not someone I just meet. They’ve all been classmates. I don’t even know how old he is.
“What the fuck are you doing out here?” he hollers, but over the din of the music and crowd, I can barely hear him. The stone-cold look of rage told me all I needed to know. He was pissed as fuck.
My emotions are high. Before I came here, I was anxious and feeling as if I shouldn’t come. Then I feel the joy of living a little. When I saw Roman, everything changed in me. Now, this ass has set me off. “What the hell is wrong with you? Why can’t I go out?”
“You know damn well it’s not safe,” he argues loudly at first but lowers his voice when there’s a break in the music.
I puff up my chest. He’s been my champion and my hero for so long, and now he’s doing this. “Why? You have a team of people following me. You should make sure I don’t see you talking to them. I’m not going to miss them. I’m always on high alert. I need some freedom. Maybe college is the best thing for me now.”
“Maybe I’ll pull the tuition.”
“Are you fucking serious? You were happy about me going a few weeks ago.” I can’t believe it. I’m doing my best not to cry.
“It’s not safe,” he pleads to soften his tone.
I shake my head and wipe away the one tear that has fallen. “It’s not safe? When will it ever be safe enough for you? When he’s dead?”
“Yes. Damn it, this isn’t the place for this. Let’s go home and talk.” He grabs hold of my arm, but I thrust it away from him. I’m not going to let him boss me around.
“No. I’m not leaving.”
“I’m not going to tell you again. If you don’t come with…don’t come home.”
“Maybe I won’t. Then you can be happy. I’ll stay with Katherine until you return to the brother I used to like. Let’s go, Katherine.” I take our chairs, slinging them over my shoulder.
“Wait, Lindsay. I didn’t mean that.”
“Then you shouldn’t have said it. Stop worrying about me. I’ll be out of your hair very soon.” I had a large inheritance from my parents’ death. I never touched it because I’ve been too scared to live. Not anymore. “Call off your hounds as well. I don’t want to see them again.”
“You’re a dick,” Katherine mutters as we walk away. I do all I can to keep it together.
As soon as we’re in the car, she says, “You know he didn’t mean it. He’s crazy, overbearing, but he’s scared.”
“I know, but I’ve realized I have to do something with myself. Even if it’s just a short vacation alone.”
“Alone? That’s not smart no matter who you are,” she warns me.
“True. Can you take a couple of days off and we fly to somewhere, anywhere?”
“Sure thing.”
“Good. Now, can I crash at your place tonight.”
“Girl, of course, you can. Anytime, always. Now tell me about the cute guy you were talking to. If you think I didn’t notice, you’re sorely mistaken.”
I go over our whole debacle and then the promise to call. “Damn, he was hot. I wonder if he’s legit serious.”
“I don’t know. But there’s only one way to find out…in time.” We get back to her apartment after stopping at a taco place.
“Here are some blankets,” she offers, tossing them onto the sofa. She has a small one-bedroom apartment. She’s got her own money. Not like mine, her parents are still alive, but they pay half of her bills. She goes to school at the local community college and loves it.
“I’m exhausted.” She yawns and mutters a goodnight.
“Goodnight.” I whip my bra through my sleeve, then climb under the covers. Once I’m snuggled in, I send a text to Roman, just to let him know I’m home. He’s probably still at the park with his sister and having a good time without me. A tinge of jealousy hits me, but I shove it aside. I just met the guy after all. Made it in one piece.
Great, babe. Call you in the morning. Damn, he sounds distracted and dismissive.