Page 50 of Endgame

I drive away cautiously, knowing the night is far from over.

I’m in too deep.

23

CALLAWAY

The driveto Dakota’s apartment consists of deep snoring and her restless body struggling to get comfortable.

As we pull up to her apartment building, I turn the truck off and exhale a heavy breath as my shoulders slump back into the seat.

I’m exhausted. I’ve never been so mentally drained, yet there's no place I’d rather be right now.

I glance over at Dakota’s sleeping form laid out across the worn fabric seats and have a moment of protectiveness wash over me. I want to be the one that she turns to when her day goes to shit, the one her heart looks for when it’s hurting.

We’ve established that we’re only friends. But I want more.

I’ve been telling myself the distance I’ve allowed between us over the last couple of months is the right thing to do, but I now see I couldn’t have been more wrong. The space seems to have only made us dubious about being around each other. I need to change tactics somehow.

I can see her slowly opening up to me, and it sends my happiness to new heights. She needs to give me something,anything that would give me the slightest inkling she would ever even consider us for more.

I decide I should probably get her showered and into bed.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

Showered.I didn’t think this through.

She’s been sprawled across a disgusting bar all night, and there's no way I’d let her go to bed with God knows what on her body or God knows who.

It’s time to put my strength to the test.

I make my way to the passenger door, carefully cradling her body in my arms and head in the direction of her apartment. I haven’t had the opportunity to come to Dakota’s home yet—it feels slightly like an invasion of privacy without her consent.

From what I can gather of the outside, the building looks simple and very fitting to Dakota’s style. She’s low maintenance, and it’s refreshing.

Deciding her safety is more important than my need for her permission, I use her house key to unlock the door.

I’m immediately met with her distinct scent that has the power to bring me to my knees—toasted vanilla and coconut.

It figures her home would smell like her.

With Dakota still in my arms, I glance around the living space, attempting to decide my next move.

Strangely, her home is nothing like I envisioned it would be.

White walls give the space a clean aesthetic with a cream-colored couch and a neutral woven area rug. The colorful throw pillows and few faux plants she has scattered make it feel slightly homey, but the absence of photos is unsettling. I know her relationship with her parents was healthy, and from what Navy has shared with me, they were close.

So where are the past and current memories of them?Where are the captured fun moments and smiles they shared that she could look back on?

Lifeis lacking here.

Deciding I do need some type of verbal consent from her, I place Dakota on her kitchen counter and do my best to hold her body steady so she doesn’t fall.

Pushing the hair from her eyes, I straighten her head to look at me. “Dakota, baby, I need you to open your eyes for me. I need you to undress so I can help you in the shower. Do you think you can stand long enough to wash yourself?”

The restraint I’m going to need better show up sooner than later. It figures the woman who’s been nothing but a temptation to me would be the one I have to help in a compromised position. How I’m going to avoid glancing at her naked body is beyond me, but I’ll die trying if I have to.

She slowly shifts on the counter, her head rolling slightly, waking herself up enough to glance those glassy hazel eyes at me.

---