"What's going on, Sweets? I only came over because the boys told me you still hadn't left. You were supposed to have been gone, so I figured something was wrong."
I continued to lay against his shoulder, loving how attentive and in tune he was with me. Finally, I pulled back to look at him.
I released a breath. "I was trying to lock my phone and accidentally opened Instagram."
I went into everything I had seen. Duke sat quietly. My only tell that he was bothered was the subtle tightening of his mouth or the flare of his nose.
"You know I would never allow anybody to fuck with you, right?" he asked.
I nodded without needing a second to think about it. I trusted him and his word.
"But that doesn't stop those old fears from coming back. I experienced a lot. I just want to know how to protect myself. You aren't always going to be there, so I should know how to handle things on my own."
Duke nodded, then rubbed his forehead.
"What do you mean protect yourself, baby? In what way? You can't fight or something?" he asked.
I swatted his shoulder and giggled for the first time since he got there. Duke smirked back at me.
"I can fight. But I don't know if hand to hand is going to work against a man. I want to learn how to shoot a gun and I know you can teach me. I see you put your gun by the bed every time you stay over."
Duke lifted a brow and leaned back against the couch. He tilted his head to the side, searching my face for any sign that I was just talking. When he was sure I was serious, he released a sigh and rubbed my thigh.
"I got you. First lesson starts tomorrow, but right now I'm dropping you off at Miss Lottie's. I'll pick you up later so you can come lay with me tonight," he said, standing to his feet.
I squealed and wrapped my arms around his neck as he stood with me. I thought it would take more convincing to get him on board, but I should have known better. I placed a series of kisses against his cheek, then the tip of his nose, his forehead, and finally his lips.
He patted my butt. "Where's your purse with your keys, Sweets?"
I pointed toward the counter near the vacant spot where my table used to be. His mouth quirked up looking at the area.
"We can get you a new table tomorrow too," he said.
Duke grabbed my purse and placed it on his forearm, then pulled out my keys to lock the door behind us.
"We're leaving my phone. How am I supposed to tell you when I'm ready to go?" I asked.
"You gone be alright. You need a time out from that phone anyway. I know what time I'll be ready to come lay up with you," he said with a smirk.
"Sir, please." I laughed.
Once Duke was certain everything was locked up and secure, we made our way to my car. I handed him the keys, then pulled them back against my chest with a raised brow and a smile.
"Wait, do you even know how to drive a car?" I asked.
Duke looked off with a smile and rubbed his chest.
"Of course I do. Let me see those. We're only taking your car because I told the boys I'd be right back. I'll pick you up on my bike though."
"Mm-hmm," I hummed, then handed over my keys.
Duke opened the passenger door for me, then walked around to the driver's side. He glanced at the key, then back at the steering wheel with a squint.
"Damn, where does this go again?" he questioned.
I tried to hold back my smirk as he finally looked up at me with a smile, then started the car. When I first saw Duke in front of those food trucks, I would have never assumed this was what he was like. In an instant, he had turned my day from sour to something worth smiling about.
Now more than ever, I was looking forward to hanging with the girls, even though I was late.
