“For fuck’s sake, Griffin, if I could ask her about any of this and get a straight fucking answer, I would.”
Griffin chuckles. “Not my problem. Now fuck off and let me get back to my dessert.”
“Dessert?” I ask, dumbly.
“My woman, Crow. She’s my dessert.”
At that, Griffin hangs up, and I’m left with more fucking questions than I started with.
Falling back on my bed, I contemplate my options. I probably shouldn’t be driving yet, but fuck, I want to see Dee.
Deciding to take a chance, I bring up Dee’s number and hit the video call. I know she won’t talk to me, but she can still text and I’d still get to see her.
It rings and rings, and just when I think it’s about to drop out, the call connects and the screen flickers before Dee’s big chocolate eyes come into view.
“There you are,” I say, unable to hide my grin.
She shoots me a small smile from her laying down position on her bed and gives me a wave.
“I wasn’t sure if you’d answer.”
Biting her lower lip, her eyes shift lower on her phone screen as she does something, and a moment later, a text message pops up.
Yes. This is exactly what I wanted.
‘I almost didn’t.’
My brows shoot up at her response.
“Why?” I ask, and again, she responds in text.
‘Habit, I think. I’m not used to communicating with people.’
I nod. “Am I making you uncomfortable?” I smirk and she narrows her eyes at me, a playful grin tilting up her lips.
‘I think you like making me uncomfortable.’
I chuckle. “It’s true. I do… but.” I hesitate and she frowns, sending me another message.
‘But?’
Shit, can I be this honest with her over the phone? I should, right? No matter the situation, we have very little time left, so I should just say what I think. What I feel.
“I want to be your safe place to land.”
An expression of sad longing crosses her face as she blinks rapidly, and her lower lip quivers slightly before she sucks it in, trying to compose herself.
“Shit, Dee. I want to hug you.”
She nods, not responding in text, so I question her.
“Do you want that? To be in my arms.”
Her nostrils flare this time, and she nods. And fuck, I want to get in my car right fucking now and go to her.
A knock sounds in the background, and Dee’s attention moves to another spot in her room as a voice filters in.
“Dinner will be ready in a few minutes.” Rhys’ voice gets louder before Dee bounces around, and a moment later Rhys’ face comes into view next to Dee’s.