Page 36 of Soul Food

Jayne gave me a dubious frown before she snorted. “You are aware that’s what condoms are for, right?” She wasn’t getting it, not that she ever could. Powering the treadmill off, I stepped down. She did the same and caught up to me. “Ruth.” Standing eye to eye, Jayne searched my face. “Is this about Dark Goddess?” She reached for my hand and gave it a firm squeeze. “You know that’s not true.”

“What if it is, Jayne?” I said tightly, tired of knowing the truth while playing ignorant. “How else do you explain those deaths surrounding me?”

Before she could say another word, I walked away and found Rupert and Max.

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With my notepad, a pen and a bottle of water resting between my thighs, I was ready to ease the chaos in my head. There was one small problem—I couldn’t stop the clatter, nor could I stop my brain from adding Amit to the mix.

Jayne went home right after we returned from the gym, leaving me alone with just Moose. When I sat down, I had every attention of writing, but every few seconds my eyes drifted toward my phone.

There was something else I wanted to do more. For once in my life, I couldn’t focus on music. I grabbed my phone slowly like it was poisonous, and I was even slower as I unlocked it and scrolled through my contacts until I came across Amit’s and stopped.

I shouldn’t, butGod, I wanted to.

Messing with Black Hearts president wasn’t a good idea. I was my own star now. I depended on no one, but no less, I could still fuck up my career if I provoked the beast hidden inside the suit Amit wore. After all, he held power in my world.

But then I remembered in less than two months, there’d be no more me—hence no more image to uphold and worry about. Taking a deep breath, I thought,fuck it.I’d do what I want. Scratch that. I’d do the best that I could with what Icoulddo.

Pulling up a new message, I sent him a text.

Me: Amit. Hey. It’s Ruth.

I groaned afterward because really? I wassosmooth. A minute ticked by, then it turned into two, and I started to sweat and wonder if he would ignore me.

It shouldn’t bother me. He’d been staying away from me all these years, but it did. Now that I met him, I wanted to know him. I couldn’t for the life of me figure out why he treated me like venom.

My phone finally pinged.

Amit:Ruth.

I scratched my head at that one. Ruth? Just Ruth? Nohi, Ruth? Orwhat are you doing Ruth?Sighing heavily, I bit my bottom lip and returned to my previousfuck itdecision. Quickly, I replied.

Me: Do you have your FaceTime turned on?

I set my phone in my lap and covered my mouth with my hand. Straight to the point. I liked it. Go big or go home, some of my cousins used to say.

He was quicker this time.

Amit: FaceTime?

Me: It’s video chat.

Amit: I don’t know. Why?

Me: Just curious. Might I ask what are you doing?

Amit: Nothing.

Me: Good. You can talk to me.

Amit: I don’t text.

Me: Look at that. Neither do I, except for Jayne.

Amit: I’m busy.

I smirked at that.

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