Page 24 of Creed

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More dots, but this time she replies.

I’m awake. Are you still out of town for work?

Why? You missing me already?

Ha. You wish.

Don’t I, though. You thought anymore about dinner?

Maybe.

It’s nota no.

It’s not a yes either.

But you’re thinking about me.

I’m deciding where I want you to take me.

Anywhere you want. Name it.

Can we call?

She doesn’t wait for me to answer before I’m getting a Facetime request.

“Hey beautiful.” I greet her gorgeous baby blues filling my screen, but immediately I can tell something is wrong. She’s wearing that timid expression she always wore right when I was about to get grounded because she tattled on me for something, and she was scared I was going to be pissed at her. I usually was. “What’s wrong?”

“What makes you think there’s anything wrong?”

“I know that look. What happened? You go tell my old man that I’ve been smoking reefer,” I tease.

“That wasn’t me.”

“Bullshit.”

“I was twelve and there was one of those Dare programs that week at school. I signed a pledge.”

“Fucking fruitcake.”

“What?”

“Nothing. Tell me the truth. What’s got you twisted in knots?”

“Are you on a tarp?”

“This motel is scuzzy and don’t change the subject.”

She bites her bottom lip while tucking her dark hair behind her ears and wiggling to get more comfortable in the oversized chair she’s seated in and moves on from her lip to chewing on her thumbnail. “Do you…um do you share partners with Ghoul?”

“Did that asshole say something to you?”

“Not exactly.”

“I’ve been with two women at the same time, if that’s what you’re asking. Did Tonya say something? I’ve never fucked her or been in the same room when her and Ghoul are doing whatever they do.” Lottie appears to visibly relax at my words. “I’d never share you with anyone, hellcat. Want you all to myself. But where is this shit coming from?”

“Only curious.”

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