I play the voicemail one more time after I get changed and crawl into bed. I’ve put the flowers next to my bed so I can stare at them as I fall asleep. As I settle in, I pull up our text thread, hoping I don’t wake him.
Lexi
Finally home.
The flowers are beautiful, thank you.
[Image Attached]
?? Pretty Boy ??
I’m glad you like them.
His reply is almost immediate and I can’t stop the wide smile spreading across my face, or the warmth growing between my legs. God, this man has ruined me.
?? Pretty Boy ??
Did everything go okay tonight?
Should I tell him everything or simply lie about it? I don’t want to lie. James is the lighthouse in the stormy sea that I’ve been struggling to navigate. I often considered giving up, surrendering to the waves and crashing onto the shore. Letting my mother have her way and letting go of the few things I have left to cling to. My father was my first anchor, but after he died, Bex took over. She couldn’t handle being around my mother and Ronnie, so I was alone.
I can’t lie to my last hope.
If I can just keep my head above water a little longer, James can pull me to shore before I drown. Although he’s fighting his own sea monsters. It’s in his eyes and the way he reacted when I touched his scars. Someone has hurt him horribly. Maybe I’m putting too much hope and faith into a man I barely know, but I’m willing to take the risk in the hopes we can fight our monsters together.
My hesitation to respond must be enough for him, because the phone buzzes in my hand and his name flashes. I don’t even get to say hello before he’s talking.
“Lexi, are you okay? What happened? Should I come over?”
I’m scared it’s too soon and too much. I’m scared that I’ll wake up tomorrow and realize he’s only here for the sex. Deep down, I know that’s not true. I want to scream yes—to tell him to come over and never leave because I want someone to hold me. I want him to hold me.
“No, I was figuring out how to respond.”
“Oh, shit. Am I overreacting?”
“No, it’s… it’s kind of sweet, really.”
“Or stalkerish. I just, I was worried about you.”
“You’re the sweetest, Jamie,” I hope he doesn’t catch the shake in my voice as the memory of my stepfather’s hands on my shoulders and the look in Noah’s eyes comes back.
“You’re sure? Because I’ll drop everything and come back right now.”
My face is blushing bright red; I can tell without seeing it. He can’t even begin to understand how at ease and safe I feel having him on the phone with me. Or maybe he can. It’s crazy to have feelings this intense for someone so quickly, but it’s nice to let go for a few minutes.
“No, I was headed to bed. I didn’t wake you, did I?”
“Nah, about to head home, actually. Uhm. Not to derail the conversation, but I was looking over our shot list. Would you be interested in taking a three-day trip up the coast this week? Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. You can totally say no if?—”
“YES!” I scream into the phone. Three days away means three days I won’t be able to go with my stepfather. James Barton swoops in with the save yet again, and he doesn’t even know it.
“Wow, uhm,” he laughs, “I wasn’t expecting that level of enthusiasm, but I’m glad it matches mine. I can work on getting us rooms at the hotel once I plan out the trip.”
“Rooms?” My heart sinks a little.
“Yeah, we’ll be in at least two hotels, and I didn’t think you’d want a single room showing up on the expense account when Sammy sees it.”
“Oh, valid point. I should talk to Sam at some point. We, uhm, we could go longer if you want.”
