“You good?” she asks me, her voice hushed as we continue to the parking lot.
“Yeah, my heart’s in my damn ass, but I’m good,” I mutter.
“Good,” she says, moving on as if I'm not shaking like a leaf from that encounter. “So, speaking of exes who deserve to be locked up, has Fussy Russy tried contacting you?”
I shake my head. “No, he hasn’t…”
“And? There’s clearly something you’re leaving out.” She pressures me to continue.
“I should be happy he isn’t trying to reach me, but it’s so out of character for him. It makes me feel really unsteady because he’s someone who acts on emotions, most of them being volatile and impulsive. The silence makes me worry he’s planning something, but then I remember this isn’t some movie, and I’m probably being paranoid.”
“You were with that man for entirely too many years. You know him well enough to trust your gut. Keep an eye out for anything strange, andpleasetell someone if you notice something. There’s no fault in being abundantly cautious, especially with a man like that. Ryder will always protect you, Lola.”
“You’re probably right.”
“I usually am,” she says with a smirk. What had I said about her being insufferable when she’s right?
I give her an eye roll and head toward the parking lot where we left her truck.
I clip Isabela into her car seat while Mayte gets her stroller and our bags in the back. My pocket vibrates with a text as we peel out of the parking space.
My brows pinch as I read the message, and, of course, Mayte notices. “What’s up?”
I shake my head. “Nothing, just got a message from an unknown number. It’s probably spam.”
Unknown
How’s life?
It’s such a benign message, and yet, it still manages to make my skin crawl with dread.
You’re just being paranoid, Lola.
The motto of the day, and, God, I hope it’s true.
Chapter Twenty-Six
DOWN BAD
FRIDAY, MAY 30
“Darlin’!”I shout excitedly, heading into the house.
She pops her head out from behind her bedroom door, and a smile so bright it stops me in my tracks spreads across her gorgeous face. “Hi! I’m almost ready to go, I swear!” she says, slamming the door behind her.
A deep chuckle leaves my throat as I make my way to my room to change. I got an email this morning suggesting shorts be worn for the class, so I hurry to change. By the time I make it to the living room, Lola’s already in the kitchen, filling our tumblers with water.
Her eyes trail down my body and snag on my legs. “Ryder Lockhart, are thoseshorts?” she asks.
“Why, yes, darlin’, they sure are.” I wink at her, her dazed expression setting my skin on fire. “Like what you see?”
“I-I’m afraid I do,” she breathes out.Whoa there, Lola.Don’t go saying things that are bound to send my heart into a tizzy. Her eyes snap to mine, and as she closes her mouth, a slow grin spreads across her glossy lips.
She grabs the bottles of water and makes her way around the kitchen counter. The moment she does, my whole body ison high alert. I let out a low whistle, shamelessly appraising her smooth, tan legs on full display in those tiny spandex shorts. She’s wearing a white shirt that hangs off her shoulders, and it looks like she cut the whole bottom part off herself. That large strip of smooth skin leaves me aching in more places than one. I swear I feel my dick twitch to attention.
“Like whatyousee, Ry?”
A chuckle reverberates through my chest. “Always, darlin’. There’s never been a time in our lives when I hadn’t loved the view when I’m with you.”
