Page 243 of Sin With Me

His hand tightens over mine, and I wait with bated breath as he stares at me, his gaze burning a hole into the side of my head. “No,” he finally says. “I just shut the phone off. It was a distraction. No distractions while driving.”

I let out a relieved breath, my shoulders slumping. At least he didn’t say anything. It would’ve been impossible to explain why this random man Isaac doesn’t know had my phone, and why he’s texting him.

But he didn’t.

He just turned it off.

My skin begins to itch at the idea of Isaac calling and immediately getting my voicemail, knowing that my phone is off. How badly is he freaking out? Is he worried because he doesn’t know where I am?

What about Roman? Is he worried? Is he okay?

The words are on my lips, but I swallow them down. I don’t want to talk about it with Kon. I’m not even sure if he’d tell me the truth.

“Focus,” he scolds, and I clear my throat, blinking the thoughts away.

“I’m ready to go back,” I mutter.

His jaw ticks, but he tips his head slightly. “Turn around up here. Don’t worry about shifting. Just press the pedals when I tell you to.” He lets me take my hand back and rest it on the wheel. I drive a bit further before turning around, letting Kon control the gearshift as I drive down the deserted street until I coast back into the parking lot.

I do a terrible job parking in the same spot he was in, but he doesn’t say anything. Instead, he claps me on my shoulder, nodding proudly.

“Not bad for your first time,” he says. “You’ll get better.”

“Thanks, Kon.” I give him a tight-lipped smile.

“Anytime, friend.” His smile is borderline terrifying, but it weirdly soothes something inside me. “Anytime.”

Do not exceed the posted speed limit, and adjust your speed based on weather and road conditions.

Avoid distractions such as texting, talking on the phone, or adjusting the radio while driving.

Make sure all passengers are wearing their seatbelts at all times.

Use your mirrors frequently to check for vehicles around you and be aware of blind spots.

I rub my eyes as I yawn, dropping the book onto the bed beside me. Driver’s manuals are one of the most boring things I’ve ever read, but I need to learn all I can before I take a driver’s test. Not that it’s any time soon. I need a million more driving hours. But I can still read and learn.

If my eyes can freaking stay open.

Why did I think reading this in the middle of the night would be a good idea? It’s nearly impossible to stay awake.

I need to get up and get some water, or maybe do some light stretching to wake myself up. For whatever reason, since being here, I haven’t been able to sleep. Not well, at least.

I don’t know if it’s being in Roman’s room that has me on edge, or the fact that it’s been days and I still haven’t heard from him. I’ve gotten call after call, text after text, from Isaac, each one more demanding than the last. But I still haven’t had the courage to reply.

And I hate to admit it, but every time my phone goes off, my heart leaps with anticipation. I want to see Roman’s name on the screen. I want to hear his voice.

I miss him.

I could reach out first, but why should I? It was him who messed up, so he should fix it. He’s always the one to leave, and I’m always the one to chase. But this time, it’s the other way around and a part of me wants to see if he’ll chase me. If he’ll come after me like I went after him.

Footballs are thrown from room to room, guys yell at each other, girls squeal as they run past. Moving boxes are piled high, excited new college students are bouncing around and giving me anxiety. Everything is hectic. Chaotic.

This is where Roman lives now?

He left in the middle of the night a week ago after we buried Mama, saying he was going to school early but this…

This isn’t what I was expecting.

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