Page 134 of Love at First Ride
‘Hollie and I will make sure you guys snag one of them apartments in Eastvale. Don’t you worry ’bout a thing.’
This is one of the times that I wish Echo was my real father. Because he really goes all out for me and my mom.
‘Thanks, Echo. I owe you. And I’m not just saying that because of the Venom. You always did look out for me. You’re the best.’
He dips his chin, like it’s no big deal. ‘You’re a good kid, AJ. You’re a fighter. And I’m happy you finally found yourself an ol’ lady to keep you on the straight and narrow.’
I raise my brow at Hollie. ‘He means that as a compliment. Really.’
She laughs and rolls her eyes, because she gets it. She getsme.
‘Guess I’d better be getting back,’ Echo says with another sigh. ‘Got some insurance paperwork to fill out. Some packing up to do. I’ll come back and visit, okay?’
We say our goodbyes. When we’re alone, Hollie comes back to my bedside, and I slide my fingers into hers.
‘Hey,’ I say.
‘Hey, back,’ she says, raising the back of my hand to her mouth, and pressing her lips to my skin.
‘While I was sleeping, something came back to me.’
‘What was it?’
‘I saw those flames. The speed they were coming at me, and I knew I would die if I didn’t jump.’
She moves closer to me, the worry on her face plain to see. Because she cares. I love that she has such a big heart, and that she’s given it to me, and only me.
‘When Mo died last year… I had moments where I wished I could have gone with him… You once told me that I was your reason for sticking around here. But… you were the reason I jumped, Hollie. I couldn’t not see you again. And I couldn’t lose you either. I pictured the future that we’re gonna make together. I love you. I can’t live without you.’
She looks up at me, and her eyes are brimming again. She bites down on her bottom lip and big tears spill over.
‘I didn’t mean to make you cry,’ I say.
She nods her head at me. Like it’s all too much, and for a moment, she’s speechless.
‘I was always in love with this biker guy I never thought I’d have the smallest chance with,’ she says once she’s composed herself. ‘It’s still really surprising to me that words like that could come out of your mouth.’
‘Well, you’d better believe them. ’Cause there’s no other girl on this planet I’d say ’em to.’
She kisses me again. I hold her, and I’ve never fucking resented my legs so hard in my fucking life, because all I want is to swing her into my arms and march her home to bed.
‘I love you, AJ. I always will,’ she whispers, resting her forehead against mine. ‘You make me very happy.’
I pull away and stroke my fingers down her cheek. ‘I swear to you,’ I tell her, and it feels like another affirmation. ‘From here on out, it’s only gonna get better.’
Chapter Thirty-Four
Hollie
Two Weeks Later
AJ gets out today.
I’m too excited.
Firstly, because I get to show him our new apartment. It’s still a work in progress, but as part of the compensation deal from the development company, they’ve funded the rental payments for the next six months, along with everybody else moving out of Rapture.
Plus, tonight is also the first time we’ll have somealonetime for a grand total of sixteen nights. I think I’m more nervous than I was for my first time with AJ, and I want to make it worth the wait for a man who’s still healing from three broken bones.
