Page 48 of Aug
“Check your account when you get home tonight, babe,” Royce advised.
Accidentally, her gaze fell on me. My nerves were uneasy, but I didn’t let the opportunity slip.
I’m sorry.I mouthed.
As quickly as she’d found me, she lost me with those pretty eyes. Hadn’t I known Tiana well, I would be on her side of thetable, excusing her from dinner and demanding she give me a minute to explain myself.
However, that wouldn’t sit well with her and none of the women at the table. While I didn’t give a fuck, I respected everyone far too much to leave a nasty taste in either of their mouths.
Entitlement. I admitted, slightly disgusted with myself.
The truth was, it didn’t matter how much I wanted her to listen to me at the moment, I didn’t deserve ease of passage. That was the main reason she was still in her seat and I was still against the wall.
“She’s ready.”
“I’m going to need her to ride with one of the ladies.”
“What?” Koen asked.
“Range or Royce or Roaman.”
“Au–”
“I need to take Tiana home.”
“Tiana drove.”
“She won’t be driving back.”
As the words left my mouth, Tiana came storming toward the front door. I stepped in front of her as Koen stepped inside of the house, giving us a moment alone.
“Ti–”
“Please, August. Out of my way. I need–”
“What’s the matter?”
“I have a flat tire. I ne–”
I didn’t wait for her to finish her sentence. Time was of the essence.
“Let me take you home.”
“I’m fin–”
“I’m taking you home, Ti.”
“I can get home myself.”
“I’m not asking, baby.”
I took her bags into my hand and started for the SUV. I swung the passenger door open and waited for her to follow me. Hesitantly, she peered from one side to the other, waiting on someone to save her. There was no one. No one was coming. Koen would make sure of it.
“Tiana.”
Her flattened tire wasn’t accidental. Neither was the availability of the SUV. Everything was intentional. I needed a minute with her. Just a minute to apologize and explain how my world had been flipped upside down.
“I don’t want to, August.”
