Page 71 of Searching for Valor

Call Izzy.

Let her in.

Could he do that?

Did he dare?

He pulled out his phone and stared at the dark screen. His thumb hovered over the button to wake it.

He wanted to.

God, he wanted to.

With a sigh, he pocketed his phone and whistled for Valor. The dog bounded over, tongue lolling out in a happy grin.

Rylan scratched him behind the ears. “Looks like it’s just you and me tonight, bud.”

Valor cocked his head, studying Rylan with soulful eyes that seemed to see right through him. Then he whined and pawed at Rylan’s leg as if urging him to reconsider.

“Not you, too. I’m fine, I promise.”

Valor whined again, unconvinced.

“What would I even say, huh?Sorry I’ve been such an asshole lately. Want to come over and…What? Cuddle?”

He snorted. Yeah, that would go over well. Izzy wasn’t exactly the cuddling type. At least, not that he’d seen. But then again, neither was he usually. Except right now, the thought of her arms around him, her warmth pressed against his side, was so tempting it made his chest ache.

Fuck it.

Before he could second-guess himself again, he grabbed his phone and pulled up Izzy’s number. His finger shook as it hovered over the call button.

Valor gave a soft,encouragingwoof.

He pressed down, held the phone to his ear. It rang once. Twice.

Maybe she wouldn’t pick up. It was late and?—

“Rylan?” Panic streaked through her sleepy voice. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

“I...” The words stuck in his throat. He didn’t even know where to begin. Because what could he say? That he was afraid of what he’d do if left to his own devices tonight? That he needed her in a way that terrified him?

“Rylan?”

“I’m alone,” he blurted.

Valor scooted closer and laid his head on his thigh as if to remind him that wasn’t true. He patted the dog’s head, and the coil of tension inside him eased a fraction. He wasn’t alone. Not anymore.

But he still wanted to see Izzy.

Silence stretched between them, broken only by the sound of Izzy’s soft breathing on the other end of the line.

“Do you want me to come over?” she asked finally.

The question hung in the air, heavy with unspoken meaning. If he said yes, things would change between them. He knew that. But maybe things needed to change.

Shane had forgiven Jax.

Veronica had forgiven him.

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