Page 70 of Hooked on Trouble

He blinks, the clouds in his eyes clearing. “Are you fucking with me?”

“He was picked up on unrelated charges, and they got him to come clean. It’s over, Josh. You’re free. You can go to school. Plan your future. You can do whatever you want.”

His throat bobs, once and again. Then he grabs my shoulders and drops his head to my chest, a sob following, pushing into me so hard I stumble back. I wrap my arms around him and cup his head, my own tears falling into his dark hair.

“Thank God,” he says between pants, gripping me tighter. “Thank fucking God.” He trembles, choking on his words.

I hug him like his life depends on it. “It’s over,” I say a few more times, to comfort him. Or maybe me.

It’s finally fucking over.

Not sure how long we stay this way, snotty and crying like kids. When he straightens, he wipes his eyes and smears his nose on his sleeve. “You smell like ass.”

I peel my sweat-damp shirt from my chest. “Played some ball with a thirteen-year-old while waiting on the verdict. Kid kicked my ass.”

Exhaling heavily, he chuckles. “Sounds about right. You can borrow a shirt.” He glances at the door then back at me. “Mom know yet?”

“Nope.”

We both grin. I tip my head toward the door, and he bangs his shoulder into the frame in his hurry to get downstairs. I glance again at his drawings, his future. It’s because of Raven he has these dreams, her guidance leading him to connections and schools. I’ve never seen him so focused.

I swap my sweaty shirt for a gray sweater. It’s a little tight in the arms, but it’ll do. Sitting on his bed, I pull out my phone to text Raven. I’m practically vibrating to get my hands on my girl. Celebrate this victory. Watching Lily accept Sawyer’s proposal stirred my brimming feelings for Raven, and tonight I can finally let them loose. Tonight I’ll tell her how much I love her with my hands, my body, and with my words.

Twenty-two

Raven

I’ve never hated public transportation more than I have tonight. Both buses on my route were late, and I paced restless circles, mumbling curses as I checked my cell a thousand times. The sight of my apartment has me forcing my speed walk into a jog. I bust through my front door, beeline for Rose’s room, and I freeze.

The space has been cleaned out. Her clothes are gone, her shoes gone, not a trace of her left in the space. Except for the magazines I bought for her last week. Those are tossed carelessly on the floor, right beside my fractured heart. I scour the rest of the apartment, but her toiletries are history, along with some groceries she bought with my money. She didn’t leave a note. I stare down at my phone, willing it to ring.

When it does buzz, I nearly jump out of my skin. Then I slump. Nico. Immediately, I chastise myself for my disappointment, almost smacking my head with my hand. Whatever is going on with Rose, at least she texted. This isn’t her disappearing again without a word, and this night should be about Nico, not her drama. Hoping beyond hope his news is good, I click on his message.

The charges against Josh have been dropped.

My heart gives a kick. So happy for you, I reply. And beyond happy for Josh. Now he can go to school, and Nico can breathe easier, and I get more of the man I love.

I need to spend a bit of time with my family, but I want to be with you tonight. Sleepover at my place?

Without more information, there isn’t much I can do about Rose, and sleeping with my Sexy Beast is my favorite pastime. National Thoroughly Fucked Day should really be a long weekend. Sounds perfect.

I’ll pick you up in half an hour.

I send a demented smiley face—my sticker signature—and sink onto the couch, mind still spinning a mile a minute. Reading Rose’s text again, I try to figure out what kind of mess she could be in. Someone from her past screwing with her? The guy she didn’t want to talk about? The room may be silent, but my head is full to bursting with noise. My cell rings, adding to my internal chaos. Please be Rose. Please be Rose. At the sight of her name, I scramble to hit Talk.

“Where are you?” I wince at the pitch of my voice.

“I’m sorry I left like that, but I needed to get out.”

I rub my sweaty palm on the couch. “Why in such a rush? Did something happen?”

Heavy breathing greets me. It goes on so long I almost ask if she butt dialed me while having sex. “An old friend got arrested. I haven’t seen the guy in a while, but he’s been tossing out names to the cops, hoping to get a slap on the wrist.”

“Names? Like your name? What was he arrested for?”

“Dealing drugs. My name and a few others. But I swear I had nothing to do with it. I was in the wrong place a few times over the years, but I haven’t hit that scene in ages. Whatever lies he’s spinning, I’m just getting caught in the web. I didn’t want to involve you, so I split, but…” She trails off.

Nico’s warning not to trust Rose crawls up my neck again, leaving a wake of raised hairs in its path. But she didn’t have to go. She did that to spare me whatever drama is following her, not to ensnare me. Protect me like she always has. “But…what? What do you need?”