Page 36 of Confined Space

"Rowdy, language." JoAnna scolds him.

"But this is stupid." I pull away from Rowdy. I'm angry now. How can they mess with my life because of something I have no part of? Well, except for the fact that I care about Rowdy. "Can I petition for a new caseworker?”

"We meet with your attorney on Monday, and we'll go from there. Can I ask why the hair follicle study shouldn't be done?”

I sigh. They are going to find out soon enough. I seem to remember in one of my pharmacology classes that Rohypnol lasts in your hair for thirty days. So, I should be safe, but if he gave me something more, I will be in trouble.

"Coral?" JoAnna asks again, and I know I'm not ready yet.

"I went to a couple of college parties. You just never know." The lie feels awful as it crosses my tongue. I want to tell them the truth. "Will this attorney also help me with the police?"

"What about the police?"

"Logan is on the accident case, and he has some questions for Coral. Stuff from her past," Rowdy answers. He doesn't fully explain, for which I'm glad.

"I'm sure he could, but don't you want to find out who caused the accident so you can have your medical paid for? Are you on any state aid? Is Archer?"

"Archer is until my insurance kicks in at the hospital. I didn't qualify because of my inheritance. My pregnancy was covered though since I get my inheritance as monthly stipends.”

"How about we discuss this more tomorrow? We have reservations to get to."

I'm so glad Rowdy interrupts. I need time to figure out what I want to tell them. How much I want to tell them. How much I'm willing to share.

* * *

Rowdy

When we pull up to the restaurant, I look over at her. She's sitting quietly in the seat next to me. I know she's in her head trying to decide what she's willing to share and what she won't share. What she'll allow us to help her with and what she won't. I won't let her go much longer without telling me more.

"Were you serious?" Her voice is so quiet I barely hear her over the radio. I turn off the truck and turn sideways in my seat to face her. Her head is bowed, her long hair covering her face. I know what she's asking.

"I want you and Archer to be in my life, and I'm not going to let either of those bitches get away with this."

"But you don't love Archer or me. Why would you do this?" When she looks at me, I want to tell her that I don't fucking care about love, but I know the words are important to her. Her eyes are brimming with tears, and I hate that another one of our dates has been ruined by someone.

“How do you know that? I could.” I’m serious. Yeah, I haven’t had her, and I barely know her, but something about her makes me feel like I’m home. When I’m with her and Archer, I’m in a good place. I want to give them everything and be with them always.

“Give it time. Everyone stops loving me or passes on.” Her words are like a slap to the face. How could anyone stop loving her? I reach across and unbuckle her seatbelt, then lift her up and into my lap.

“You listen here, Mouse. I’m falling for you. I want to be with you. Everything you share with me makes me want you more. I will learn everything about you, and when I do, it won’t change my mind. I won’t fall out of love with you. I don’t think that could ever happen.”

“How do you know?”

I lift her chin to look at me. “Because you take my breath away with just a look. You make me want to be a better man. And mostly because when I’m not with you, I’m missing you and wanting to be with you. I’ve never felt that before.”

I lean in and kiss her lips softly. They open and her tongue slides across mine. She’s initiating the contact, and I'm fucking ecstatic. My hand buries into the back of her hair, pulling her into me more.

A tapping on the window stops us, and I pull away to look.

"Fuck, Lance, go the hell away."

He chuckles, and I open the door, lifting her out with me as I step out of the truck.

"Coral, this is Lance Courtney. He’s a friend and fellow firefighter with me at the station." I introduce them. "Thought you had to work tonight."

"Nope, date night. It’s our anniversary." He points to his wife.

"Hello, Holly." I lean in and kiss her cheek. "This is Coral, my girlfriend." I look over at Coral and see the moment she is going to argue. I lean in to kiss her on the mouth to shut her up. She swats at me.

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