Page 55 of Hooked on Trouble

“It wouldn’t be fair.” She studies the ground between us.

Seriously? Fair? She took a beating for me. “My place is plenty big, and you can use the time to find a job. Assuming you don’t have one.”

Again, her gaze flits, like she knows the creep eyeing her. When I look, he’s gone and her posture relaxes. “It wouldn’t be for long,” she says. “I’d get out of your hair as soon as possible.”

My mood lifts, the weeks and months of imagining this moment worth the worry and unbridled hope. “Yeah. Whatever. However long you need is fine. It’ll give us time to reconnect.”

“Okay. Let me get my stuff.” She scans the street again, then touches my arm. “I really appreciate this.”

She disappears inside, and I bounce my knees instead of pumping my fist in the air. Things may have started sketchy, but that’s to be expected. Springing a reunion on someone isn’t kosher. Doing it at the shelter they call home makes it that much worse. But Rose hugged me and said she missed me. She forgave me my sins. I suddenly can’t wait to tell Nico.

I grab my phone. You’ll never guess who I just met.

He replies in seconds. If it’s an old fuck buddy, give me his address. There’s an empty cell at the station.

I like my man jealous. No. But I dig the idea of being locked in a room. With you.

Now you’re talking.

Unable to wait, I write: I found Rose.

His excited reply doesn’t come. The pause drags so long I almost dial his number.

You went without me?

I cringe, imagining the frown on his handsome face. Sorry. You have so much going on, and I didn’t want to dump more on your lap. Forgiven?

Always. And my lap is yours to do with as you please. Now I’m picturing that lap and my tongue and a couple of ice cubes when he adds, What was she like?

Awkward at first, but nice. If you come over tonight, you’ll meet her.

You having her for dinner?

I hesitate before sending my reply. Nico is cautious, always worried about the people in his life. A few times he’s mentioned I shouldn’t get my hopes up where Rose is concerned, that, if I find her, it’s best to go slow and feel her out. Asking her to move in might not be what he had in mind. Still, it’s my life, my family.

She and that Russ guy used to date. He told me she was at a shelter. She’s moving in for a while. I reread my text and add, Please be happy for me, then I hit Send.

A scuffle breaks out, two men shoving each other, claiming rights to their spot in line. I glance down as Nico replies, I’ll be over tonight.

That’s it. No congratulations. No tender words. The softy he is, our texts often end with him saying how much he misses me and thinks about me and wants to fuck me. (His sexting has improved.) I, of course, detail how I’d like to cover him in chocolate sauce and lick him clean.

But no messages follow this last one. Only dead air and disappointment.

When he meets Rose, he’ll understand. She’ll loosen up when she’s away from this place, that hug a reminder of the girl she was. Nico has said himself how people on the street are often here because they fall on hard times. He devotes his life to helping others. I’m just doing my version of the same, helping my family any way possible. He of all people must understand that.

Seventeen

Nico

I pull up to Raven’s apartment, my frustration with her ebbing as I park. Apparently my advice wasn’t worth following. I’ve told her as many ways as I know how to take her time with Rose, that if she finds her to ease into things. Now they’re living together. But Raven is smart, capable of handling herself, and I haven’t seen her since this morning. The thought of kissing her is enough to subdue my irritation.

I knock on the door, and Raven’s voice drifts out. “Come in!”

Every time I’m in her place, I chuckle to myself. The apartment is drab and sterile, nothing about it reflecting the girl I’ve fallen for; Raven’s clothes and ink and personality are loud enough to shake walls. Her back is to me as she unloads groceries. A couple pizza boxes are on the counter, and the smell of melted cheese makes my stomach rumble. Or maybe I’m hungry for the curves she’s flaunting in her tight skirt and short T-shirt.

Her sister isn’t around, so I come up behind her and latch my arms around her waist. “It’s been too long since I’ve seen you.”

She sighs and leans into me. “A whole ten hours. You getting needy on me, Constable? ”