My chest rose. Then fell. Then rose.
The call ended, but the phone was still pressed against my ear. I was unable to move. Paralyzed with so many things.
Lust.
Love.
Appreciation.
Disappointment.
Thirst.
Contentment.
Commitment.
Disbelief.
Confusion.
Longing.
Respect.
Hunger.
And a yearning far too deep to comprehend.
Rome. I need you.
I needed to make sense of this. I needed to make sense of him.
Josiah Blackwood.
“Range,” Kason called out to me.
It was his hand on my shoulder that reeled me in, reminding me of the moment and the fact that it didn’t include Josiah. It was Kason next to me.
“Yes– I mean no. I–uh. There’s been a family emergency. I need to go,” I breathed out.
It wasn’t Josiah’s request that prompted me to end my time with Kason. It was his call. His presence. His energy. His voice. His revolting nature. It was him. All of him. Even the ugly parts.
If there are any.
“Do you need me to drive you?”
“No. No. I– I’ll call you tomorrow, okay?”
“Don’t worry, love. I’ll call and check on you.”
“Okay.”
I gathered myself and gathered my things, gym bag included.
“Let me walk you downst–”
“I’m fine, Kason. I need a minute. I need some time.”
