Page 67 of Hopelessly Devoted

“Then where is he, Carly? Why has my phone not gone off one time with a text from him since Monday? Why did he purposefully ignore me when I knocked on his door? Maybe he does feel something for me but not enough to make an effort.”

“I don’t know,” she snaps, crossing her arms over her chest and looking away from me. This is so unlike her, and I glance over at Izzy, who shrugs in return.

“Are you okay, Car? This really isn’t like you,” Izzy points out, and Carly sighs, dropping her gaze down to the tablecloth.

“Until I met you guys, I always felt like I was too much for people. I’d meet friends and take to them much faster than they did me, and I’d want to hang out more than they did. It’s the same with guys. I want someone that’s going to look at me the way Logan was looking at Ali. Like I light up their whole world.”

My heart squeezes in my chest, and I reach out, grabbing on to her hand. “You’re going to find it someday, Carly. You’re too good not to, and those other bitches have no idea the great friend that they are missing out on. We’re lucky to have you.”

“Oh, Jesus, do not make me cry in public,” Izzy snaps, dabbing at her eyes, and we both start laughing at her, the tension melting away.

“I’m sorry for snapping at you,” Carly says, and I shake my head.

“Don’t mention it. It’s already forgotten.”

Chapter Twenty

Storm

I watch her in the window as she walks away from my house, each step she takes is like a hit to the chest, and every part of me wants to fling the door open and yell at her to come back. But I can’t. This whole thing moved so damn fast, and each time I see her, it’s like I’m sucker punched by all the feelings she stirs up in me. I wasn’t ready for this, ready for her, and I haven’t handled any of this right. None of that matters anymore though. She’s mine. And I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her.

Bear whines, and I glance down at him. “Yeah, I know, Buddy. I miss her, too.”

I fucking hate that I can’t be with her right now but I’ve got shit that needs to be dealt with before I can be with her. If I just threw caution to the wind and did exactly what I’m dying to do right now, her life would be in danger, and that’s not something I’m even remotely willing to sacrifice. Not again. I watch her until she disappears into her house, and the dejected look on her gorgeous face breaks my fucking heart. I just need her to hold on for a little bit, and then I’ll give her everything she wants.

Moving away from the window, I grab my phone off the table and slip my cut on before stalking out to my bike. I’m jittery as I climb on, ready to end this shit. Straddling the bike, I check my messages.

Ray:

Meet you in the usual spot.

I shove my phone back in my pocket and fire up my bike before pulling out onto the street. My gaze lingers on Ali’s house as I drive by, and I promise her that I’ll be seeing her soon. The wind whips against my skin as I drive west out of town, the sun sinking into the horizon in front of me. I imagine bringing Ali out on the bike, her arms wrapping around me from behind, and I grin. I’ve never had someone on the back of my bike, and I’m looking forward to it.

After riding for a few miles, I turn onto the dirt road, only slowing when I approach the edge of the river. Ray climbs out of his truck as I turn my bike off and get off.

“Hey, man, good to hear from you,” he says, slapping my hand and pulling me in for a half hug. I laugh.

“No, it’s not. No one calls you when it’s good news.”