Page 315 of Small Town Firsts

I know girls like her. I was friends with girls like her. You interfering will only make it worse. Thank you though.

Me

Are you sure, baby? I really want to fix this for you.

No sooner than I hit send does my phone start vibrating with an incoming call.

I answer immediately, embarrassingly eager to hear her honeyed voice. "Decided you needed to hear my voice, little mouse?”

"You’ve been avoiding me," growls a cold, masculine voice that most definitely doesn’t belong to Emmy. "And I don’t fucking appreciate it.”

"Rob." His name leaves behind a bitter tang in my mouth. "How are you?"

"How do you think I am, Sterling?" His voice is taut with barely concealed rage. "How do you think I am when you've been avoiding me?"

An uneasy laugh lodges in my throat. "Not avoiding you, man. Just busy."

"Busy with what?"

"You know how it is, man."

"No. I don't. Enlighten me. Tell me exactly what's kept you too busy to so much as read my texts."

My mind races as I scramble to think of a plausible excuse. Rob’s irrational on a good day, and judging from the hard edge to his voice, it’snota good day.

“Just trying to balance it all.”

“Hmm,” is all he says.

“So, what’s new with you?” I ask, hoping he’ll let it go.

I should’ve known better though. “What’s new with me is your troublesome lack of communication, Sterling.”

“Rob, man?—”

“Maybe I should come visit. Remind you where your loyalty lies.”

“No need. My loyalty is yours. Just been busy.”

“Free up some time, or I’ll free it for you.”

“Yeah, sure.”

“Don’t fucking placate me. That little bitch needs to be leashed. And you can either help me or I’ll collar you, too.”

My insides go molten as he continues to speak. His threats toward me mean nothing, but the way he’s speaking about her has me vibrating with fury.

I tune out for the rest of his rant, not even realizing he’s finished until the call disconnects.

He definitely knows something’s up. I just have to hope I can put him off my trail long enough to devise a plan; a way to keep Emmy safe and by my side.

A bone-weary sigh works its way through me as I toggle back to my text thread.

Emmalyn

I’m sure, Sterling. Thank you though.

Me

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