AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I hold my phone out to take a selfie. She looks scared in the image, but then suddenly, she seems normal and is smiling for the photo. I press the button and snap it. Quickly, I send it to her so she has it to look back on, too, during our time apart.
Her phone beeps, and she pulls it out, staring at the screen with the biggest smile on her face. “It’s perfect.”
“All right, I’ll see you soon, baby,” I say before grabbing her face and pulling her in for a gentle, long kiss.
20
Nikki
“What colors are you doing?” Chloe asks me as she holds the hottest-pink nail polish to ever exist.
Twirling two bottles in my hand, I can’t help but think of him. If I can’t be at the next game, I can at least support him from here.
Chloe chortles and smiles at me. “You are too darn cute—you know that?”
“Oh, shut it.” I roll my eyes and walk over to my chair.
Chloe joins me in her chair next to me. “I’m happy for you—so, so happy.”
I smile at her, even as a sharp sting slices my heart when I remember I’m playing with fire. I need to find a way to get my parents to safety without Trey finding out. But here’s the thing about my dad: he is a papa bear through and through. When he finds out that I’m alive and I have been in hiding, he will want to eliminate the reason why, and I think he would be able to do just that. But I don’t want him to go to prison for it, and killing a cop would carry a hell of a sentence.
Trey Roark, a cop, is great at many things, including reading people, interrogating, and so much more. These skills enable him to read the slightest and most minute changes in someone’s demeanor or tone. If my parents knew, he would know something was off, and he wouldn’t stop until he found out why.
I just need a little time to find a way to get them out of there safely without completely kidnapping them. But if it comes down to it, I know Chloe would help me—with the financial backing of Zonama.
The nail techs work fast, and within forty minutes, we’re leaving the salon with perfect nails. Chloe’s is a simple, modern design of hot pink and white, and mine are black with silver accents.
Cam would like these and think they were cute. He might be biased, as they are inspired by the colors of the Nighthawks.
It’s been a little over a week since I saw him in person, and I’ve come to the understanding that I didn’t know what love was with Trey. I knew he was possessive and controlling, but for a long time, I thought that was how he expressed his love. But I was very wrong. That wasn’t love at all.
Love is a six-foot-four dark-brown-haired and blue-eyed hockey player who refuses to touch you until you trust him completely. One who gets you ice-side seats so he can see you during his games and who shows you his scars and makes yours feel beautiful. Love is knowing that he will never hurt you because it would hurt him too.
“What do you want to do today?” Chloe asks, pulling me from my thoughts.
“Bake,” I answer honestly, wanting to do something that I know and love.
“On your day off, you want to go to work?” She laughs. “Of course you do.”
We arrive at my shop a few minutes later, and I find Holly helping a few customers at the register. And I spot one of my favorites, who is holding…
Oh my gosh.
“Who is this little cutie?” I shriek as I see Charlie holding an adorable baby.
He turns around with the absolute biggest smile I’ve ever seen. They are the proudest parents.
“This is Arlo.” He swoons.
“Oh my gosh, you guys, he’s perfect.” I wave my fingers, smiling at the little guy.
“Thank you. He’s been amazing,” Charlie adds.
“I’m happy for you both. You’ve been waiting so long,” I tell them, feeling like a proud aunt to Arlo.
“Thank you, Nikki,” he murmurs.
The happy new dad and his perfect newborn baby boy get the usual coffee order and leave me with a feeling of hope.
