Page 50 of Losing a Piece of Me

“I don’t know what to do about this weekend,” I admit.

He sits up, resting his elbows on his knees. “What do you mean?”

I toss a folded-up shirt into my bag and sit down beside him. “I mean, do I ride with you since we’re together? Or do I ride with Jeff since he’s my date?”

“Oh.” He sits up straight. “Who do you want to ride with?”

“I would like to drive myself honestly.”

He takes my hands in his. “Nothing is going to happen. You won’t have to run.” His green eyes are shining brightly, drawing me in and warming my soul.

“Ride with me. Before we get into town, you can get in with him.”

“You think you can handle that?” I ask him.

“I think I can handle anything when it comes to you.” He leans in and presses a quick kiss to my lips.

The small gesture unearths a smile.

“That’s better.” He traces my bottom lip with his thumb. “If you need to run, call me and I’ll run with you this time.”

* * *

Jeff meets us at my place and follows behind us on the drive. Glancing in my rearview mirror, I see his lips moving a mile a minute. He is always on the phone dealing with some issue with his restaurant. I didn’t miss a thing by riding with Striker.

The drive is quiet, but every time my nerves shoot up, Striker is right there. Somehow, he senses it. He doesn’t even need to see me, he just reaches over and holds my hand at the perfect time. I wonder if he even realizes he’s doing it?

This ride brings back memories of my last trip home, when I had to get off the interstate just to catch my breath. Things are so much different this time.

Then, I was hoping I didn’t run into Striker, but this time he’s the only thing getting me through.

The drive ends too quickly. I laugh to myself as we pull over at the “Welcome to Cumming” sign.

His eyes follow mine to the sign and soon his deep laughter mingles with mine.

I lean over and wrap my arms around his neck before pressing a long kiss to his lips.

Pulling away, I grab my bag out of the floorboard. “You tell me if he tries anything.”

“He won’t, I promise.”

I go to close the door, but his voice stops me. “Hey!”

“What?” I stick my head back inside.

“I love you.”

I smile broadly at him. “I love you too.”

Jeff’s car is parked on the shoulder of the road right behind the truck. After I climb in and get settled. I open my mouth to ask him about the drive, but he holds up his finger to silence me.

“Okay, I need to get off of here, Steve. Call me if anything else comes up.”

“Sure thing,” comes from the speakers.

He hits the red button on the screen and looks at me as he shifts the car into gear. “Okay, give me the rundown.”

“The rundown?”

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