Page 108 of How to Love a Rockstar

Good thing for me, she’s not great at sneaking around. Or, at least, I thought she wasn’t. Somehow she got away from me today. Damn. I’ve failed her again.

Maybe I should let her go. I obviously can’t keep her safe. She needs a protector. Someone who is always there for her.

“Whatever you’re thinking, stop,” Peace says and I startle. I forgot we were still connected. “Virginia loves you and things will work out. I promise.”

“How the hell can you know that?”

“Did you forget I’m a police officer?”

“Being a police officer doesn’t equal knowing the hearts and souls of the residents of the town.”

“Give me the phone!” someone shouts. I hear a scuffle in the background.

“Don’t make me hit you, young man!”

“I’m not hitting you but you can’t steal my phone.”

“I’ll steal your phone if I want to. I used to change your diapers.”

“Fine.”

“It’s Sage, leader of the gossip gals.”

“She’s not the leader!”

“Don’t you worry. Your Virginia will be home soon.”

I don’t get a chance to ask her how she could possibly know where Ginny is before she hangs up.

I shove the phone back in my pocket and resume pacing of the hallway.Think, Dylan. Think.I have four sisters I helped raise. I should be able to figure this out.

Where did they go when they were hurting and trying to avoid someone? It’s no use. Somehow I don’t think Ginny’s at the beach stuffing her face with ice cream.

She must be somewhere in town. She doesn’t have a car. Hold on a minute. She doesn’t have a car, but she does have a bike. Maybe she went for a bike ride. This is why no one’s seen her. We’ve been scouring the streets of Winter Falls and she’s out on the bike trails.

I rush for my apartment. I’ll get the keys to my bike and then I’m finding Ginny.

I hurry into the hallway and start for the stairs only to come to an abrupt halt when Ginny appears in front of me.

I haul her into my arms. “Thank god you’re okay.”

She sinks into my embrace and I tighten my arms. As long as she’s not pushing me away, everything is right in my world.

“Ouch,” she squeaks.

I step back and grasp her shoulders. “Where are you hurt? Do we need an ambulance?” I dig my phone out. “Screw the ambulance. Cash will drive faster.”

She bats my phone away. “I don’t need an ambulance.”

“You’re in pain. You said ouch.” My stomach clenches as another scenario enters my mind. “I didn’t hug you too tight, did I?”

“You can never hug me too tight.”

I’m confused. I can never hug her too tight but I can push her too fast. What does it all mean? I run a hand through my hair and pull on the ends.

“Are you in pain? Are you hurt? Can I help?”

She pats my chest. “I’m not hurt. You can’t help. But I am in a little pain.”

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