Six missed calls from Daddy.
“I need to call my Dad, Phil, one minute.”
Some things never change.
36
ZANE
Everyone was going to kill me.
But it was one of those decisions you make, the sort that fills you with joy instantly.
Yes, it was the right decision.
I was done with escorting. I had enough stimulating conversation and sexual tension with Layla, thank you very much. She was in the kitchen making breakfast when I arrived, wearing tiny shorts and a little vest.
Breathe, Zane.
"Morning, beautiful," I whispered into her neck as she shivered against me. "What are you doing today?"
Layla turned to me, her lips meeting mine as we kissed deeply.
"Honestly? I was going to suggest we watch The Breakfast Club and then maybe The Goonies."
"Oh, an eighties girl today, are we?" I chuckled as she nodded eagerly.
"The eighties were iconic. It's the perfect way to spend our day, no?"
I tilted her head back to gaze at her, stroking her cheek softly.
"I've got a better idea," I murmured.
"Ooh. Do tell.” Layla licked her finger as she turned back to her waffles, popping one into her mouth as she stared at me with thosefuckingeyes of hers.
Suddenly I felt like I couldn't breathe normally, my hands shaking as she frowned at me.
"Zane? What's wrong?"
Her voice was immediately different; the playful tone dropped. She was worried.
"You trust me, right?" I asked, lifting my eyes to hers.
"Yes," she answered instantly, her eyes searching mine as I sighed.
"Can you do me a favor and get ready? I need to take you somewhere."
I tried to hide my smile as she shoved the rest of the waffle in her mouth.
"Okay," she mumbled, crumbs falling out of her mouth. She walked upstairs, and I pulled out the letter I'd written for her mother.
I hoped she understood.
Less than fifteen minutes later, we were on the road, on the motorbike I'd purchased a few months before. Layla had joked I was now officially the whole package, whatever that meant. Something about being on the bike, the wind in my face as I became one with the road, calmed my thoughts.
I've changed a lot over the past year. I hadn't meant to, but after what happened to Layla, Alice, and then Lucas, it was kind of inevitable, I guess. I realized that life waits for no one.
Luckily, I had enough money never to work again, and that was just from the escorting. It wasn't taking into consideration the money my grandfather was leaving us when he died. No matter how we tried to shut him up, he was a stubborn fucker who insisted on reminding us how rich and old he was.
