“If you ever need anything, please call me.” Journey smiled. “Let me text you my number so you’ll have it. I’m serious about us getting together. I love these men of mine, but trust me when I tell you there are times when I’m jonesing for female companionship.”
Chuckling, I gave her my number, and she sent me a text. I saved her info in my contacts so I could reach out. She wasn’t the only one who needed a friend. I had none and wasn’t about to turn down an offer when it was presented.
When we landed, I learned that Creed had arranged a car to take me home. I sat in the back of the SUV, staring out the window, wondering if Rule or Jinx would even let me in the house when I got there. I wouldn’t blame them if they didn’t.
No, I wasn’t completely over what they’d done, but deep down, I could forgive the lies because I honestly believed Rule hadn’t done it viciously. Whether he wanted the money for himself or for me didn’t matter. What transpired between us these past couple of months had changed our course. Reflecting back, I could see it. Rule’s original plan had been to marry me, and that was about the only thing that worked as he’d wanted. After that, we veered onto an alternate path, and the three of us ended up in a very different place than where we started.
Lust and manipulation turned into love. There was no denying that.
At least not for me.
And if I had anything to say in the matter, they would own up to their love as well.
Perhaps once that happened, I could read the letter still burning a hole in my pocket.
* * *
Jinx
When the front door opened, I didn’tbother to move from my spot on the back patio. I was expecting to see Rule. He’d slipped out earlier with an excuse that he had some things to take care of. He hadn’t asked whether I wanted to go with him, but I knew I wouldn’t be good company, so I would’ve turned him down anyway.
I waited, expecting Rule to appear. A few seconds later, Waldo jumped to his feet, barking once before taking off inside the house.
Although Waldo was always happy to see Rule, he never reacted like that. Not since he was a puppy, anyway. These days, he couldn’t be bothered to greet anyone unless he knew for sure they were going to give him something.
Instantly, I was on my feet, moving slowly, fearful of what I might find. It wasn’t thewhothat concerned me. It was what Laikyn was here to do that had my chest constricting and my throat tightening.
“Hi,” she said, peering up at me as she overwhelmed Waldo with hugs and pats from where she was kneeling on the floor.
“Hi,” I responded.
Laikyn stopped moving, her eyes wide and her jaw falling open.
“I know,” I told her. “It’s weird.”
My voice was rough, likely from years of not using it, but I didn’t have fear or anxiety constricting my vocal cords.
She stood slowly, shaking her head as tears began to drip down her cheeks. “Not weird.” She swallowed hard. “Wonderful.”
I was glad she thought so, but that didn’t do anything to diminish the anxiety that was circulating in my bloodstream. It wasn’t debilitating yet, but it would get there depending on what she did or said next.
“Is Rule home?”
“He went to take care of something.”
Laikyn moved closer, and she didn’t try to stop the tears leaking from her eyes. She stared at me as though she was seeing me for the first time in years, not merely hours.
I didn’t get a chance to ask her what her intentions were because she kept coming until the only place for her to go was into my arms.
She put her arms around my waist, pressed her face against my neck, and sobbed. I held her, worried I would never be able to let her go and hating that I would eventually have to. I fought the emotion that bubbled up in my throat, choking it down. I didn’t want to cry. If I did, I might not stop.
When she finally pulled back, she wiped her eyes and sniffled. “I should’ve asked. Is it okay if I’m here?”
“Where else should you be?”
Laikyn smiled. “Your voice … it’s so … sexy.”
I laughed, some of the tension easing.
