I’m totally caught off guard by the emotional depth in his statement. Most would see the color and thinkpunkorshowoff, but here, he’s just paying homage to the most powerful force in the universe and the deepest pain he carries all in one fell swoop.
My heart constricts in my chest, and I’m more confident than ever that I’m making the right move by bringing him out here.
I keepmy hands to myself for the rest of the drive. I also keep my thoughts to myself because not a single thing that will come out of my mouth is going to help this situation.
When we pull into Sam and Louisa’s neighborhood, Vox looks confused as hell.
“Am I about to meet your parents?” he asks, making me laugh.
“No. They aren’t local, and I’m not that close with them,” I tell him.
“Okay, so whose house is this?”
“I want to introduce you to someone who can answer all your questions. I just ask that anything you learn during this visit stays between us.”
“Yeah, of course,” he answers quickly.
Studying his perfect face, I openly beg him so that he understands how important this is.
“I mean it, Vox. This visit doesn’t just impact me. But I want you to know the truth, and…well, he’s important to me.”
Misunderstanding my words, Vox’s brows shoot to his hairline.
“Am I…am I meeting your…are youwithsomeone?”
“What?” I shriek. “No!”
Relief floods his features as he sags back against his seat.
“Ohmygod, dude. Don’t do that to me. Either tell me who I’m meeting or just let me get out of the fucking car.”
I point toward his door handle before reaching for my own. “Go.”
Sam opens the door before I can even ring the bell. Laughing, he says, “I thought you were going to sit out there all day. Your tea’s getting cold.”
I shake his hand and step to the side for introductions.
“Vox, this is Sam Everhardt. Sam, Vox Montgomery.”
Vox sticks his hand out. “It’s, um, a pleasure to meet you, sir,” he says with uncertainty.
Sam shakes Vox’s hand. “Pleasure’s all mine. I hear you’re quite the celebrity up in Ricochet.”
Vox smiles, his natural charisma rising to the surface at the compliment.
“Yes, sir. That’s what I’m told, at least.”
“Well, come on in. This is my wife, Louisa,” he says, right as I release Louisa from an embrace.
“Vox, honey, it’s so nice to meet you,” she says, clasping Vox’s hand with both of hers. “Connor speaks quite highly of you.”
Vox flashes a cocksure grin at me. “Does he now?”
Louisa laughs. “Oops. Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything.” I wave her off, telling her it’s fine. “I wasn’t sure what you’d like to drink, so please feel free to help yourself. I’ve got hot water for tea, and there’s coffee, water, as well as some sodas in the fridge.”
“I’m okay for now, thank you,” Vox answers, looking back and forth between Sam and me expectantly, clearly wondering what the hell we’re doing here and who these people are.
Sam looks at me and laughs.
