Page 164 of Rome: The Ballerina

“Oh, baby, let me make an appointment for Roaman to stitch this back up. Maybe if I can find my hymen I can get one too. Baby sis got Bugatti pus–”

“ROULETTE,” everyone yelled at once.

“I’m just saying,” Roulette sniggered.

“You were great out there.”

“Thank you. How much time is left in the game?” I asked.

“They are entering the final quarter.”

“Are we up?”

She nodded.

“Maybe I can make it.”

“Don’t,” she told me, “There’s no need. He’s bringing home that ring, Rome. Just embrace him when he does. He’s hurting. You’re hurting. You need each other tonight.”

She was right.

“I’m going to get out of here. It was nice meeting all of you. Drive safely.”

“Nice to meet you as well. Your parents make some cute children,” Royce told Nadia.

“Thank you.”

Everyone said their goodbyes. Koen closed the door behind her. I turned to find Chemistry near. His arm went around me, hugging both Jru and I.

“You ready, kid?”

“Yes. I’m ready.”

“Good, cause you’re riding with me.”

“I want to go home, Teddy. I don’t have it in me to celebrate tonight. We can postp–”

“If you don’t want to then we won’t. We’ll have time. It doesn’t have to be now. When you’re ready, we will. Understand?”

I nodded.

“Can you give these guys the night off?” I asked, tipping my head toward August and Koen.

“There was an attempt on your life, Rome. Nobody gets the night off. Not even me.”

“They dese–”

“Dead it, baby.”

Shaking my head, I did exactly that.

“I need to get changed. And, then I’ll be ready to go.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

Change of plans.

Change of plans.

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