Page 43 of Loyal
Perfect.
If for some reason we were pulled over, the cops would assume the car cut in without knowing. Not that it’s the actual vehicle with the product.
My phone vibrates against my chest, making me frown. Anyone who typically calls me knows I’m busy today and I’m unreachable. I made that known before I got on the road this morning.
I look over at Fang and point to the exit. He nods and waves his hand forward, letting me know they will continue on and to catch up. I break off from them and pull over. After shutting off my bike I grab my phone and frown when I see Sami’s name next to a missed call.
Without thinking about it, I press call. It rings twice before she picks up.
“Hey, I’m sorry for calling. I forgot you were traveling today,” she says quietly.
“That’s okay,Mami. What’s wrong? You sound upset.”
“I don’t want to bother you. You have a lot going on right now,” she sniffles.
“Baby, spit it out, otherwise I’m turning this bike around, and I really can’t do that right now.”
“Billy came by today. He looked up your past. The past of your father too. He is going to use it against me. Then I had a blowup with Farrah.” She sucks in a breath. “I told her to go live with him. Why did I say that?”
The more she talks, the heavier the guilt becomes.
I did this.
Not directly, but it’s still only happening because of me. If I had waited just a little longer before inserting myself into her life, this wouldn’t be happening.
“I’m sorry,” I rasp.
“Why are you sorry? You didn’t do this.”
“Yeah, but they are only giving you hell because of me. I should let you go, but I’m selfish. I don’t want to live without you.”
She makes a sound in the back of her throat. “That’s not true. If you weren’t part of it, they would just find another excuse to harass me.”
I sigh, knowing she’s right. Still, I hate knowing she is going through this.
Guys like Billy don’t just back down.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m as possessive as the next guy, but the way he thinks you are his, and only his, is next level,” I tell her.
“I don’t understand it. Honestly.”
“I’m sorry it’s wearing on you,” I tell her quietly as a semi zooms by.
“I’m just so tired, Loyal. I don’t know what to do anymore. I feel like the only good parts of my life are when I’m alone with you or when I’m at work. I fucking dread coming home when Iknow Farrah is going to be here. Do you know how fucked that is?”
“Yeah, it’s pretty messed up, babe. Whatever you want to do, I’ll do it. I’ll make it happen.”
“I just need you to hold me,” she says quietly.
“Always.”
Her sigh is filled with longing. “Just after she goes back to her dad’s. Which means we have to wait.”
I want to offer to do it tonight. Crawl into her bed when I get home and hold her through the night, but I know her. As open as Sami is with Farrah about us being together, she doesn’t want to rub it in her face.
“How about tonight when I get home I come knock on your window? Steal a moment or two alone with you,” I offer.
“I’d like that,” she sighs.
