Page 24 of Coach
“Thanks for helping me out,” I said, taking a step away from Saul. I pretended not to notice how my heart sank at the separation. “I, uh, should get going. I need to check on my dog.”
“Let me grab a light,” Saul said. “I’ll walk you out.”
With that, he rushed away.
“He could have taken mine,” Raff said, brows furrowed as he led me down the hall.
The party was still going strong.
The bikers were well-equipped for a power outage. They had several battery-powered camping lanterns spread around the common area, giving them plenty of light to continue their games and drinking.
By the time Raff had me at the front door, Saul was moving closer.
“It was nice to have you over. You should come again,” Raff invited.
But just then, one of the barely dressed women called his name.
“Duty calls,” he said, shooting me a wink and then leaving me with Saul once again.
Saul opened the door, letting some fresh, cool night air wash over me, drying up some of the sweat from our…activities.
“Wow. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many stars,” I said, looking up. Without all the light pollution, the sky almost seemed closer. Like I could reach up and grab a star.
The whole town itself seemed dark, though the suburbs were dotted with lights—likely the homes that had generators for this very occasion.
When we reached my car and I turned to look back, the prison was also somewhat lit up, though not as much as usual.
“The traffic lights are going to all be out. Doesn’t seem to be much traffic, but be careful.”
“I will,” I assured him.
“Would you take this if I give it to you?” he asked, holding up the flashlight.
“Actually, I’d really appreciate it. I do have some candles, but I obviously can’t leave them on. And trying to light one in the dark sounds awful.”
“And this too,” he said, holding something up.
He clearly hadn’t just rushed off to grab me the flashlight; he’d taken a moment to put all the leftover roasted veggies in a container for me.
“If you keep the fridge closed, it should keep until the power comes back on. Or you can binge it all tonight. No judgment.”
“Thank you,” I said, surprised by how touched I was by the gesture.
“If at any point the dark is too much, pack up your dog and come back. I can light up a whole room for you. No fire risk.”
“Thank you,” I said, feeling awkward.
Like, I’d just let this guy finger me. But somehow, it felt too intimate to kiss him goodnight.
So, with my stomach sloshing around, I just… got in the car.
“Thanks again,” I said before Saul closed the door for me.
I fumbled through putting on my belt and turning over the car, painfully aware of Saul watching me as I did so.
Then I quickly reversed out of my spot and drove away, ignoring the way some part of me begged to turn around, to go back, to throw myself into his arms and demand to finish what we’d started in that elevator.
I was at the end of their driveway, glancing from side to side, when another siren broke through the quiet night.
