Page 183 of Whisper

My phone went off, so I dragged myself to my bag and checked it, finding several texts from Kruger.

Kruger: Where you at, P?

Kruger: Never mind. I checked the app. The radio station. Predictable.

Kruger: Glad you’re happy, bro.

Kruger: Are you gonna give me any attention? My feelings are hurt, bro.

I laughed and typed in a reply.

Prism: Brother time now? Wanna grab dinner before movie night?

Kruger: Tacos?

Prism: *taco emoji*

Kruger: I’m so hungry I could eat the ass out of a low-flying goose!

Prism: *puking emoji*

Kruger: I’ll come pick you up. Meet me outside in a few.

Prism: Okay.

“Everything okay?” Arsen asked.

“Kruger’s coming to get me. He wants tacos.”

“The place right off campus?” he asked.

I nodded. “Want me to pick some up for you for when you get done here?”

“Sure, baby.”

I gathered up my stuff and then reluctantly shuffled over to say bye.

He smiled and pulled me into his lap, kissing my temple. “I’ll see you in a little while.”

“Okay.”

“I’d walk you out, but I’m kinda chained to this room.”

“You don’t have to walk me out,” I mused.

“Maybe I want to.”

“I’ll see you later,” I said, getting up.

“Hey,” he called, and when I turned, he crooked his finger at me. I came back over and bent so we could kiss. “Love you,” he whispered against my lips.

“Love you too,” I repeated and then let myself out of the booth.

Outside, the sun was a little lower in the sky than before, but it was still light out. Kruger wasn’t in the parking lot yet, so I walked around the side of the building to see the G wagon. Yes, I was so needy I wanted to see my boyfriend’s car.

The second I turned the corner of the building, I noticed a black SUV with dark-tinted windows parked in front of it, nearly blocking it from view.

I jogged forward. “Hey!” I yelled, my stomach clenching but anger overruling any stress I felt at confronting a stranger. I wasn’t about to let someone mess with Arsen’s Mercedes. He loved that thing.

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