Page 88 of Unbound
The truth is, how can I not forgive him if he’s trying? The Rawley I see now doesn’t even resemble the man from two years ago. It’s like that side of him is a distant memory lost in the clouds. He never wanted to be that way; it was a product of a world I created and he clouded it with his darkness.
My point is, I’m willing to forgive if he is, and I think he finally is.
I SHOULD HAVE paid closer attention to the weather report and the exact time the weather was supposed to hit. Two hours into my drive, I’ve made it to Portland and I still have another two hours to go. It’s bumper to bumper traffic when Rawley calls me. He’s getting ready to head to sound check and I want to appear casual because I’m hoping to surprise him.
“Hey, babe, you okay?” he asks the moment I answer the phone. The fact that he calls me babe sends a spike of adrenaline through my chest. I’m thankful for the Bluetooth in the truck because the last thing I can do in traffic is talk on the phone. Some people can do it, but I’m not one of them. I need both hands on the wheel and especially in Tyler’s truck.
Shit, act normal. You can’t give yourself away.
“Yep. I’m doing great. You?”
He laughs lightly and it sounds like he’s blowing out smoke.
“Are you smoking?”
“Yeah, a little nervous tonight.”
“Why?”
He’s silent for a second, inhaling and exhaling slowly. “You know, I’m not even sure why. Maybe because it’s the last show for a while and I want it to be a good one. I’m curious if Sam’s going to try anything.”
“I’m sure everything will be fine.” Just as I say that, someone honks at me and I remember traffic began to flow again. See? I can’t drive and talk.
“Where are you?”
Shit! He’s going to know. Lie! No, you’ve done enough over the years. No. This is important to surprise him.
“Uh, driving to the grocery store?”
Shit fuck. That sounded like a question. Maybe he’s too nervous to notice.
“Oh, I’ll let you go.” And then he sighs, like he doesn’t want to let me go just yet. “Be careful… that storms supposed to hit tonight. Maybe you should sleep with Lyric to keep him warm tonight.”
It’s cute he’s thinking of our son in this weather, but I’m more concerned with Rawley keeping me warm tonight. I’ll admit, I should be thinking of my son, but I know he’s in good hands and everything was so rushed the night of Red and Lenny’s wedding, and then the morning when Rawley left, we only slept together that one time.
Honestly, I’m really hoping if I show up there tonight, he’s keeping me warm with some body heat of our own. It’s beentoo longsince he left.
“Sophie?”
Crap. He’s still on the phone. “Yeah?”
“You sure you’re okay?”
I nod, and then realize I’m on the phone and have to actually speak. “Yep, totally cool. So I’ll see you tomorrow then, right?”
“Yeah, probably pretty late. We have everything packed up. I think Beck wants to leave about noon.”
“Great. I’ll keep Lyric awake to see you. He’ll be excited to see you.”
Rawley sighs, blowing out another smoke-filled breath. “Fuck, I can’t wait to see you guys. Has he done anything new today?”
My heart flutters, like it wants to fly away. There’s more honking because like I said, not the greatest driver on the phone. “Sorry, I have to go. It’s icy out and I need to pay attention.”
“Oh, yeah.” He clears his throat and my heart stops fluttering, wondering what he’s going to say next. “I uh… love you.”
With his words, it sends the beat back to normal and rushing through me.
He loves me.
“Love you, too.”
