Page 63 of Renegade Rift
“She also said he was a bit on the pushy side, which is why I’m here.”
“You’re a good friend.”
Paige shrugs. “We girls gotta stick together. But now that you’re here, I’m off. I’m already late for my next cleaning.”
I nod in understanding. “I’ll make sure she’s okay.”
“I know.” She picks up her purse and scoots around my bags at the door. “Oh, and Ford.”
“Yeah?”
“If you decide to pull your head out of your ass and make a move, don’t hurt her. You might be above murder, but I’m not. And Etta will help me hide the body.”
I press my lips together, holding back my laugh. “Noted.”
“Ta-ta.”
* * *
It’s only after Paige is gone and I’ve showered and put my laundry into its designated piles that I allow myself to sink into the couch and think about everything that has transpired. Not only the conversation with Paige, but since Juliet reappeared in my life.
She’s…God, she’s everything. Smart. Kind. Funny. Despite all the bullshit thrown her way, she’s still kept all the best parts of herself I remember from our youth. She’s still got that smile that lights up a room, and the ability to tell a story in a way that leaves you on the edge of your seat. Juliet is sunshine on the sea at sunrise, giving light to the darkest waters. And even though there are times she lives in those waters, haunted by her past, somehow she still moves forward.
And fuck if I don’t want to be a part of whatever that looks like. I want to be her boat—her safety. I want to navigate the storm with her.
For the first time since being home I look around my apartment—like really look—and all I see is Juliet. And even though I like having my own space and my own way of doing things, her presence doesn’t bother me the way I thought it might. Her records look good on my bookshelf, even if they are old enough to be my dads. The romance novel flipped over on top of my D&D books on the coffee table looks like an amazing night on the couch in the making. Even the cat toys littered across the floor for her little devil worshiper make me smile. And I really don’t like cats, but I’d start feeding the feral ones that live in the building trash cans for her.
Paige is right.
Espinoza is right.
I want Juliet.
The question is, could she ever want me? She might not hate me anymore, but I’m a living reminder of the man who took so much away from her. He might not have been my blood, but was still my brother.
My phone is in my hand before I can think twice, finger hovering over her name with a burning need to find out where the hell she is, when I hear a commotion at the door followed by Juliet’s voice.
“I don't really think that’s a good idea.”
“But we’re having such a good time.” The guy’s voice is disarming and sweet. “We can watch a movie. Netflix and Chill.”
Absolutely fucking not.
A mix of irritation and rage filled guard dog flood my system, and I’m off the couch and at the door in seconds.
“No, I don’t think so.” Juliet placates the pushy asshole.
She’s much nicer than I am.
“Come on, Et?—”
He doesn’t get to finish his sentence before I swing open the door and crash their date. Juliet loses her balance, having been pressed up against the door, and falls into me. Body trembling, she buries her face into my chest, and I swear I hear her choke back a sob.
“Holy shit you’re Ford McCoy.”
When I look up at the douche she thought was worthy of an ounce of her time, I immediately regret it. He’s too pretty with his Tommy Bahama shirt, khakis, and boat shoes. I’d bet money this asshole’s family has a house in the Hamptons, and he’s used to having girls agree to whatever he wants. All he has to do is pretend to care.
And all I want to do is punch the surprised smug smile off his face that makes it seem like he just won the lottery by dropping Juliet off at my door.
