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“I don’t know… in complete sentences.”
“Atlas talks in sentences. I think you’re scared, Peyton. You got hurt before, and now letting someone else in is scary. Go slow and see what happens.” She giggles. “Or go fast and take note of all the filthy details for me.” The last part is more in line with the Lainey I know. “Ask him if he has any brothers. I need someone to help me hide from my father.”
I’d offer for her to stay with me, but from what I understand, Lainey’s father is a dangerous guy. I can’t have that kind of drama with the kids around. “What about Eagle Rock? My cousin owns cabins there. I’ll text her right now. She usually responds quickly. They’re super secluded and would work perfectly. You have any idea what kind of tail your dad has on you?”
“No clue. I’m only using cash and switched phones. I hope that’s enough to keep him away. Tell your cousin I can pay her whatever. I’ve just gotta get away.”
“Are you ready to talk about it yet?”
She huffs out a heavy sigh. “Not really. Is that awful?” Given that Lainey talks about everything and everyone, I can’t help but wonder what the hell happened between her and her dad. All I know is that he must be dangerous.
My phone buzzes again. “She said she’s going to check. I’ll send her your number. If she doesn’t have anything right now, she’ll know someone who does.”
“I appreciate it.” Lainey sounds worried, and for the first time, I wonder if she regrets all that she’s holding back.
“Do you want to talk? You can come over.”
“Nah. I think I’m going to get some sleep. I haven’t been sleeping well the last few nights. I’ll check on you tomorrow morning.” She pauses. “Oh, your cousin is calling. I gotta go. Call you later.” She hangs up the line before I say goodbye.
Fast friends are the best kind of friends. And though we’re clearly from different worlds, I’m glad we met. Her advice on Atlas was insightful, and she’s probably not wrong, though it implies he has interest in me… when in reality he doesn’t. In reality, he’s a nosey, know-it-all who prefers to insert his opinions in matters that he has no right to have opinions about.So why does it turn me on so much?
A heavy knock hits the front door and I jump from my thoughts like a scared little rabbit.
Wow! Even I’m referring to myself as a rabbit now. The sickness goes deeper than I thought. I need professional help if this keeps up.
Given the fact that the person on the other side has knocked, I’m sure it’s not Atlas, but I’m quickly proven wrong the second I open the door.
“Hey.”
“Hello.” His tone is so low that my thighs ache.How does that happen every time?
“What can I help you with?”
“I was on a break, and I was hoping you had more of that pie.”
“More pie?”My brows raise. “Does this slice come with more beratement about my life choices, or was that a yesterday thing?”
He swallows back a grin. “Not sure yet. Let’s find out.”
As with everything else I’ve done around this man, I have no clue why I’m doing it. I roll my shoulders back and suck in a deep breath. “Okay, but pie and pleasant conversation is all. Nothing else.”
He nods a very unconvincing shallow nod and follows behind me toward the kitchen, creaking the floorboards beneath the heavy weight of his frame. “You keep the house nice.”
“Thanks.” I cringe as I pull the pie dish from the refrigerator. It definitely looks a lot more disheveled than its perfect presentation yesterday. “Do you want me to warm it up?”
“No. Cold is better.”
“I think so too. Is apple your favorite?”
“The article on the website said you were back? Did you strip before now?”
I glance toward him. “Wow! You made it fifteen seconds, so… good job?”
“Look,” he slices sideways into the cold pastry I’ve slid in front of him, “I know it’s not my place to say anything or to judge you for your life decisions, but—”
“But… if you have anything else to say about me stripping, you can say it to the roof tiles. Otherwise, eat your pie and be nice.”
He scratches the top of his head and leans in. “You never told me your dream yesterday.”
