Page 66 of Severed Rivalry
I check that both bedroom doors are closed and hit call, lifting the phone to my face.
“Angel?”
“Who else would it be?”
He pauses, and I wonder if I said something weird.
“A week ago, I got to hold you.” His voice is a husky whisper. “Best night I’ve had in the last decade for sure. I wish I could hold you tonight.”
“Me too. The last week’s been”—I pause, looking for a way not to overstate—“eventful.”
“That’s one way to put it. It’s been a rollercoaster on my end.”
“Same here. Do you feel like the universe is conspiring against us? Or trying to warn us?”
“You’ve always been the one for me. If it’s awarning, it’s one I’m ignoring and running right past. And conspiring is futile. We’ll find a way.”
We’ll find a way.
“But God willing, it won’t be another fifteen years. I’d wait, but my feet wouldn’t be nearly as handsome by then.”
“Fifteen years sucked. I had Renée so that made it easier. It also made the time fly by.” I fiddle with my ponytail, glad he can’t see my nerves.
“Ayla and I were talking tonight.”
Holy subject change, Batman. “Yeah?”
“I realized I don’t know a lot about you, but I know you.”
“Yeah. You’re one of an elite club that does.”
“So long as I’m in that elite club, as you call it, I can live with that. But, Angel, I want to know more. I want to know it all—the great, the detestable, the things you keep hidden so they never see the light of day.” There’s a long pause before he adds, “I promise I’ll never make you regret it.”
“I know, Ci.” I drop my eyes closed and fight the enormity of what he’s saying—the good and the risky. “I trust you.”
“Thank you, baby. That’s the greatest gift I’ll ever receive. It means more than I can tell you.”
“It scares the fuck out of me.”
“It means even more then. What would make it less scary?”
Time. Getting past Renée’s fourteenth birthday. And her fifteenth. Launching her safely into the world with the confidence of a well-loved daughter and a brutal right hook.
“Sariah?”
I’m lost in my head. Be right there.“Yeah?”
“You trust me?”
“Yeah.”
“Love you, baby. I know it’s soon. I know it’s too soon, and you don’t have to say it back. But know that I’m giving you the scariest thing I can think of. My heart… For the second time.” He pauses as if thinking. “Or maybe for the only time. Maybe it’s been yours all along, and I’m just recognizing it.”
“Ci—” His name comes out on a sigh. It’s laced with hope, not exasperation. “Thank you. And soon. But give me a little time?”
“Sure, Angel.” His voice is steady and soothing. “I can be brave while you’re learning to be vulnerable. I get the feeling it’s been a while.”
Fifteen years. It’s been fifteen freaking years. “Yeah. It has, but I’ll get there.”
