Page 140 of Tapped

I freeze. “What did you say?”

The quick clip of her shoes that I’m used to hearing when she’s multitasking stops. “What?”

“What did you say?” I demand.

“Um…”

“Umwhat?”

“I said you were a man,” she whispers.

“I know that and so do you—intimately. The other part. The part that I did not know before a few seconds ago.”

She starts walking again, but slower this time. “Can we talk about this tonight?”

“No,” I push her. There’s no way I’m waiting until tonight. “I want to talk about this now.”

“Micah.” She pulls in a deep breath. “Please.”

I smile listening to her try to back pedal out of this. Our shit has become more and more intense, all while it’s become easy. So fucking easy, I wonder how anything good can go this smooth and be real. I knew it was good while we were in Montana, but we were in an alternate universe. It wasn’t real life.

But since we got back to the daily, mundane grind, it’s been even better. Maybe having Chase is the perfect distraction. He has a way of demanding attention in a way I like. When he’s awake, our focus is on the three of us. And when he goes to bed, all we have is us.

I’m not sure why, but Chase hasn’t questioned why I’m around.

More specifically, he hasn’t asked anything about his dad. Not where he is, not why he hasn’t seen him, or if he’s coming back.

That shit burns a fire in me and makes me want to be better.

Hell, it makes me want to be the best I can be. The kid deserves it.

“Baby, please,” I beg, because all of a sudden, there’s nothing more I want to hear than those three words from her lips directed at me.

“Micah.” Her tone changes. Just when I think she’s had enough and decide that I’ll wear her down while we’re in bed tonight, a panic tone hits me over the line in a whisper. “Micah, someone is standing at my car.”

I forget all about the three words I’m desperate for. “What? Who is it?”

Heels click faster. “I think it’s him.”

“Who? Are you in the parking garage?” I bite. “Go back. Go back to the hospital, Evie.”

“I’m trying. Shit, Micah. It’s him.”

“Who?!” I stand so fast—my chair shoots out from behind me.

“What’s going on?” Brax calls.

“Evie.” I grab my keys, gun, and badge. “Dammit, are you there? Who is it?”

She’s running. Her breaths become desperate over the line. “Oh my—”

Tires scream on pavement.

But my skin crawls when I hear another scream.

Hers.

“Evie!” I yell, as if that will make her answer me. “Where are you?”

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