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LMAO. He sure did. Often.
Gross. Lol.
We texted a few more minutes until Hay ended the conversation and we said goodbye. I lay my head back against the seat and closed my eyes, the fatigue overtaking me from the long stressful night. I caught Pete’s smile as he raised my hand to his lips and kissed my fingers, the love and strength in his eyes blanketing my body in warmth.
Chapter 27
“What the fuck are we gonna do man?” R.J. asked, his head falling into his hands. “If Rafe finds out . . .”
“I know,” I answered, my voice low so as not to alarm Rae.
“He’ll think you betrayed him.”
“I know,” I repeated.
“This is bad Pete.”
“I’m aware of that,” I snapped, trying hard to rein in my temper, “I have to keep my shit together, so do you. Don’t you think if we panic Rae will too? She’s the top priority, her and Leah, alright? So stop acting like a fucking slat.”
R.J.’s eyes widened and he burst out laughing, “Did you just fucking call me a pussy, you dick?”
Both of us grinned, sinking onto the living room couch. Silence stretched between us but it wasn’t as uncomfortable as I expected.
“I’m sorry Pete, for taking Rae that day and hurting you,” R.J. began. “But I’m not sorry I finally had the chance to tell her how I feel.”
“I know, and I’m not pissed about it anymore. I’d have taken my chance too.”
“She’s in love with you, even if she cares for me. I get it bro, and you don’t have to worry about me causing shit.”
“I know that R.J.”
“What’s the plan?” R.J. asked, changing the subject. Damn, he was a bigger man than I’d be if our roles were reversed.
I clapped my best friend on the shoulder, “Mack seemed to think we would be safe here. He made sure we’re secluded enough, and that unmarked dirt road with the privacy gate keeps people out. Let’s figure out what we need and go from there.”
R.J. nodded, “I suppose we’ll need groceries.”
I pulled my phone from my pocket, completely forgetting until this moment that I was supposed to wipe and destroy it once I left Mack back at the diner. Shit.
“I’ve got to take care of this phone. Mack would have my head if he knew I still had it.”
R.J. stood and walked into the kitchen, checking all of the cupboards and fridge, “the place is stocked. He must have known what day we would arrive.”
Of course he did. Mack knew everything, “I suppose he stocked it after he left the diner.”
“Doesn’t surprise me,” R.J. answered, walking through all of the rooms in the cabin. “There’s plenty of stuff like body wash, laundry soap, toilet paper, and paper towels.” He frowned, “How long does he think we’re going to need to hide?”
I shrugged, “You know Mack. He didn’t tell me shit, just listened, gave instructions, and pretty much left.”
R.J. snorted, “He never changes.”
Nope. I knew that too. I sighed, “I think I’d like to go take a nap with Rae. You ok for a bit?”
“Sure. I’ll take watch.”
I opened the door to Rae’s room, happy that Leah had her own room and we didn’t need to share. I wanted time alone with my girl and no interruptions. She was already asleep when I entered. I didn’t have the heart to wake her but wrapped my arm around her and closed my eyes, hoping the worry wouldn’t invade my dreams.
I was over the nightmares of my mother, the stress of keeping Rae safe, and holding it all together so my girl had a strong shoulder to lean on. Being her rock and making sure she was safe, along with little Leah, was all that mattered.
