Page 85 of Next Level
I grin.
She smirks. “Well, what are you going to do?”
“Nothing. I’ll watch our ports and do my business. We go about our daily lives like nothing’s wrong. You do your job and I’ll do mine.”
She scoffs. “Okay. But when I do find out, and I will, don’t you want to know? Like you said, you want to question him too.”
“All I want is for them to be caught and dealt with, but I’ll say this. I will find them too, and I will get my answers from George and whoever hit the ports.”
“Okay, Ray. As long as we are on the same page. I hope we can work together and get George back behind bars.”
I extend my hand to her. “We’re on the same page.”
When she accepts my hand, I pull her close to me. “As long as I’m dealing with you. I don’t trust many people, but I’m trusting you. I’ll work with you.”
She looks me in the eye and says, “I promise I only want what’s best for the girls.”
I release her hand, stepping back, then add, “Oh, another thing. What can we do for the boy?”
She smiles big. “I knew you were a good man.”
I shrug. “I try.”
She laughs, turns to get into her car, and says, “You’ve inspired many people to cross two states to help find your girl.We need more people like you. I’ll see what I can do about Jared.”
Before she can close her door, I grab it. “Thank you.”
After shutting her door, I think to myself,she’s all right.
THE SAVE
“Blossom, you don’t have to go,” Ray says. It’s Sunday, and everyone is tired from all the happenings and partying over the previous two days.
After all the commotion yesterday, we had a relaxing day just having fun. Sammie played video games, her friends came by with their families, and she danced around, letting us all know she’s going to be okay. It turned out to be a really great day.
Vicki, Ray’s mom, tried to return to the party, but Dawg told her to go home and that Ray would talk to her tomorrow.
This morning, he did just that. He went over and had a long conversation with her. Apparently, she wants to take all the girls—me, Samantha, Tink, Siren, and Cracker—shopping and out to lunch.
Right now, we’re at Ray’s house. Samantha is in her room with her friend Amanda, and we’re all looking forward to tonight. My friend Sunshine is coming, and everyone’s excited to see her, especially Sam and Dawg.
Sunshine and I have been close for almost ten years. We both live busy lives, especially now that she’s become a well-known DJ, and I’ve started traveling for tattoo conferences and teaching.
I’m still lying in bed, enjoying a rare moment of calm. I got to sleep in since Ray went to visit his mom. My thoughts start to drift when his voice interrupts them.
“Blossom?”
“Hmm, gorgeous?” I say sleepily.
He’s standing at the foot of the bed, godlike in jeans and a black T-shirt that fits his body like it was made just for him. I’m not really listening to what he’s saying. I’m too busy checking him out.
“Blossom, if you keep looking at me like that, we’ll be naked again.”
I grin, stretching lazily in the shirt he made me put on before he left for his mom’s. I grab the blankets, pulling them over my shoulder and tucking my arm under the pillow, as the smell of Ray’s cologne escapes. Closing my eyes, I inhale deeply through my nose, letting the scent wash over me.
I feel the bed dip. Opening my eyes, I see him crawling toward me.
“Hmm…” I sigh, moving to my back.
