Page 52 of Because of the Dar

I madeit to practice on time. My performance was still shit, though. I was fully sober, but my mind kept wandering to King every few minutes, and every fucking time, my cock would stand at half-mast. At one point, Zeke took a double take at my pants, and I pulled a total girl move. "Eyes up here!"

My outburst, of course, brought everyone's attention to me, and I followed my emasculating display with face-palming my forehead. Zeke doubled over, howling like a hyena, and the rest stared like I had lost my mind. I probably did. I left it in the woods by the reservoir when I raced to the Jeep with the last bit of self-control I could muster.

I am the first out of the locker room, and Kai whistles after me. "Finally came to your senses, huh?"

I flip him the bird, not bothering to turn around, and pull my phone out with my other hand. King hasa couple more hoursof work. I contemplate showing up at the bar but then decide to send her a text instead.

Me: Can I pick you up after your shift?

I don't expect her to respond, but when the little bubble pops up a second later, I hold my breath.

King: I drove, and I need the Jeep in the morning to make it to class on time.

Is she making an excuse not to meet me?

I decide to pull one from Kai's playbook.

Me: So, that's a yes?

King: Ha ha. Meet me at my place at 11:15?

I send her a thumbs-up emoji in return.

King: Oh, come on now. Like you are not grinning from ear to ear. Don't start acting cool all of a sudden.

I realize she is right when my cheeks pinch, and I glance over my shoulder, making sure she is not anywhere in the vicinity.

Me: I. Am. Cool! Are you stalking me again, MOAB Girl?

King: You wish, Sheats.

Me: Maybe I am. I'm getting used to it. Something is missing when I don't have one of your knives near me.

What the fuck am I even saying? When she doesn't respond, my first thought is that I pushed it too far. She has a reason to always be armed. I should've asked her if she's scared someone will come after her for killing her boss. The mere thought of the raping son of a bitch… What he did, what King witnessed, makes my throat go dry and my breath increase. If she hadn't already killed him, my first call would be to George. Not that I would ask him to do the deed, but I would need his help in covering it up.

I stare off toward the other end of the parking lot as my phone vibrates in my palm, and King's name lights up the display.

King: Sorry, Grizz came out front. Need to get back to work. See you later?

Me: Yes. See you soon.

Glancing at my watch, I have time to head home for a bit.

As I pull into the garage, an incoming call is announced through my ear pods. I smile to myself and answer. "Took you long enough to call me."

"Well, according to Kai, you've been in a drunken stupor for the past week."

"Talking to my roommate now, are you, D?" My smile is gone. I do not need to be reminded of last week or why I ended up drowning myself in Kai's liquor stash, which could keep our entire campus intoxicated for a week.

"Well, you didn't answer. I was worried." The second part is spoken softly, and I know what she is referring to.

"I needed to think." About a lot.

"Come to any results?" My best friend sounds hopeful.

"Not yet." I try not to be an asshole, but I can't just decide that the last two-plus years didn't happen. "How was the flight?" If she pushes the topic I don't want to talk about, I can do the same.

There is silence on the other end, and I check if the call is still connected. "D?"

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