Page 93 of Always You

“You better beat his ass.” Her voice sounds like home, thick, sweet and calming my nerves more than anything else ever could.

“I wanna beatyourass.”Fuck, I miss her.

“Stop flirting with me.”

“Fine.” I roll my eyes with a smile, enjoying the fact that she sticks to our routines. I’ve been enjoying the last two weeks, trying to get used to LA life, but I still need her. I still need our phone calls to keep me grounded, reminding me where I’m from.

“How is Liz?” Her mother has been doing good, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed, hoping she’ll be able to stay without Charlotte for a few days so I can see her.

“Good! We went to the bookstore today. Bought a new romance book.”

“You mean word porn?” I tease.

“For your information,asshole”—There’s a smile in her voice—“it’s a historical romance.”

“No sex?”

“Nope.” Her ‘p’ pops, reminding me of her luscious lips, and I simultaneously lick my own.

“Boring.”

“Asshole mode on,check.”

A smile creeps around my mouth. “I’m your asshole, though.” Her sigh is loaded, filled with unspoken words neither of us is brave enough to release into the world.

“Are you watching?” I ask, changing the subject.

“Of course.” She huffs. “Just… don’t drag it out too long.”

“Why, babe?” I mock.

“You know why.”

“I wanna hear you say it.”

“Youreallyare an asshole.”

“Say it, or I will go those three rounds, stretching it for as long as possible, knowing you are going bat-shit crazy on the couch.”

“Fuck you,” she spits, and I bark out a laugh.

“Say it.”

“I don’t want to watch you fight longer than necessary,” she finally admits, and I grin at my reflection in the mirror, knowing those are the only words I need before I go out there.

“I miss you.”

“I miss you too,” she whispers, though there is hesitation in her voice that’s trying to keep this strictly friends between us.

“Second round, babe. Beginning of the second round.”

“You have to make a show out of it, don’t you?” I know she’s rolling her eyes.

“It’s my first fight, babe. Gotta make an impression, right?”

“Just get out of there unscathed.”

Her concern lifts the tension from my muscles, like taking off my jacket and telling me I’m ready. “Always, babe.”

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