Page 189 of Somebody's Watching Me
The hit struck with precision, shooting pain directly into Jamison’s shoulder. “Take it easy.”
Doing the exact opposite, Annabeth hammered into the pads with both fists. “He could be hurt or dead, and I would have no idea because the jackass can’t be bothered to text.”
“If either of those things happened, you would know.” Jamison lowered her hands while Annabeth continued to bounce on her feet. “You’re Rowan’s person now. They always call you first.”
Annabeth’s bouncing ceased. “I’m not his person.”
“Um, yes, you are.” Jamison tapped the strike pad against her friend’s forehead. “Stop letting your brain get between you two.”
Falling to the mat, Annabeth lay sprawled at her feet. “I can’t be anyone’s person.”
Jamison tossed the pads and laid down with her. “Rowan wants you to be his person.”
“He said that?”
“No, but you can see it. The way he looks at you. The way he talks to you. Rowan is never like that with anyone. Honestly, he’s usually a mean son of a bitch, but put him around you, and he turns into a marshmallow.”
Jaw set, Annabeth shook her head. “It’s because he feels sorry for me.”
“Why the hell would he feel sorry for you?”
“I was in full-freak mode when we met and now that I’m not, I think I’m realizing he’s only been nice to me because he felt sorry for me.”
“I hate to break it to you, but you’re still in full-freak mode.” Jamison dodged a punch and grinned. “Or freaky mode, I should say.”
“Anything I want, he does it.” Annabeth sighed. “It’s hard for us to be quiet in the house.”
“The rest of us appreciate the effort.”
The sadness returned, and Annabeth squeezed her big brown eyes shut. “It hurts when Rowan says things like how we can go to his new condo and be as loud as we want. He doesn’t realize that I can’t. Like, I trulycan’t.”
“Then tell him.”
Annabeth shook her head. “I have to be smart about this.”
Jamison rolled to a sitting position. “This is a ’til death do you part kind of situation. I’m calling it.”
“And where’s he going to take me on a honeymoon, Jamison? The backyard?” Annabeth sat up, and angrily unlaced her gloves. “There was a second when he mentioned going to his condo that I almost convinced myself I could do it. But then he explained it was a penthouse and on the top floor.” Frustrated with the strings, she growled. “I’ve never even been in an elevator!”
“Okay, calm down.” Jamison helped her get the gloves off. “It might take you a few times, but we know you’ll eventually be able to do it.”
“Yeah, after I vomit,” Annabeth mumbled. “Probably on him.”
Grabbing her shoulders, Jamison stared her friend straight in the eyes. “Rowan will not care. You could vomit on him, or whatever, and I’m telling you, that man would not care. He will still put on the wolf mask, and do you like a dirty slut.”
“You suck at these heart-to-heart talks,” Annabeth deadpanned. “It makes me miss Evie.”
“Fine, I’ll be totally honest. If you don’t give this thing with Rowan a chance, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life. This is special, and I don’t want to see you throw it away because you’re scared.”
“I’m always scared!” Annabeth’s shout startled them both, and she gathered herself to speak again. “I’m always scared. I’m not you. I’m not fearless. I can’t just do things.”
“I’m not fearless. I’m a walking basket case.”
“You’ve been a walking basket case since you left Liam.”
“Exactly.”
“So, why would I want to risk turning into a basket case?” Annabeth tossed the gloves aside. “Only I wouldn’t just turn into a basket case. Hell, I might even regress to where I lose all the progress I’ve gained.”
