I reach out for my phone that’s across my bed and smile groggily when I see Cedrick’s name on the screen.
“Mmm, ‘ello.”
He chuckles, and it makes me shiver. “You sound tired, darlin’.”
“I am. You woke me.”
“Sorry. You want me to talk to you later?”
“No!” I rush out. “Talk to me now.” I’m pouting, but I don’t care. “Missed you.”
“Ohh, someone’s gonna regret this call when they wake up.”
“M’awake right now.”
“Sure you are, treat.”
“What’re you doin’?”
“Just got off of work and wanted to hear your voice.”
“Mmm, that’s so sweet. You’re so sweet,” I mumble into the line, burying my face into the warm pillow.
“What was that, darlin’? You’re mumblin’.”
“I said, you’re sweet.” He laughs again, and I think I can hear wind whipping in the receiver. “Where’re you?”
“I’m at Mayhem. I’ve stepped outside to talk to you.” There’s an inhale, like he’s smoking a cigarette or something, but I don’t want to ask. I don’t think I careenough.
“Scare anyone to death tonight?” I ask, heart clenching when thoughts of him touching someone the way he touched me rise to the surface. It actually makes my sleepy eyes pop open, and I force myself to sit up and run my fingers through my hair.
I drop my head into my hands with a sigh.
“Nope, haven’t managed that one yet.”
“That’s good.”
“What happened? You got weird.”
“Didn’t.”
“Your breathing changed.”
“Oh, so you can tell how I am by my breathing?”
“Yes, darlin’. What happened?”
“It’s too early… or too late to talk about this,” I mutter, scrunching my eyes shut and rubbing the sleep from them.
“Madison.” He says my name like a demand, and I’m enchanted to answer to it.
“Yes.”
“Tell me.”
I blow my breath out in a punch, as well as the words. “I don’t like thinking about you touching other people the way you touched me at Mayhem, okay? So, I’d rather just not talk about it.”
It’s quiet for three beats of my heart.
