Page 104 of Of Flesh & Bone

Cotton clears his throat before speaking."What exactly was the reason that you flipped him off?"

Adam's voice quivers with renewed rage when he responds."He was touching her."

I quickly cut in."My elbow, barely.He touched my elbow so softly that I almost didn't register it."

"You went rigid instantly, you felt it and you knew he was in danger."Adam bites out, daring me to deny it.

I remain silent because he's right.I had no idea that he noticed how uncomfortable the touch had made me.The thing is, I like Alton.He's a nice person.I just don't like to be touched.I'm getting better though.I don't mind when Cotton, Cal, or Ada touch me, and Eli and Vaughn have been able to manhandle me from the beginning.I just need to have time to get comfortable with someone.I need to know they aren't a threat.

I'm lost in my thoughts when Adam grabs me by the face with one hand and presses an aggressive kiss on my cheek.I squint my eyes and laugh out loud.When I open my eyes, I see him pulling his phone back.He took our picture and now he's tapping around on his phone.

"Is that your Instagram?"The question isn't necessary because I see the pictures he's posted of us there on the screen, but I ask it anyway.

"Whoa the fuck?You have Instagram?That can't be right.My brother wouldn't get Instagram and not tell me about it."

"I follow you, Brother," Adam says back lazily with emphasis on the brother.

Cotton hurriedly pulls out his phone and looks at his Instagram."Oh, shit.Okay.I follow you too now.You know I never get on that thing."

Adam chortles under his breath.I look at his phone again and notice his follower count.I don't know much about social media, but I know that's a lot of followers.He's posting the picture he just took of us.It's actually really cute.We look happy.It's the caption that makes me squirm a little.

'My girl, volleyball superstar and all-around otherworldly perfection, Eve Mason, soon to be known as Eve Davenport.'

"Really, Adam?"

He doesn't respond and instead leans over, looking at my lips, silently asking me to meet him halfway.I do.Of course I do.

......................................

We walk into the cozy apartment to see Eli and V sitting on the couch watching TV.Vaughn is on Eli's lap per usual.I swear he's afraid her ass will disintegrate if he allows it to touch a surface that isn't his body.They look at me and flash their 'we're happy you're home' smiles.Eli's smile dims a bit when he sees Adam, but it doesn't drop completely, and I take that as a good sign.My phone rings and I look down to see that it's the police station."It's the police station.Do you think something happened?"

"Answer it," Vaughn says impatiently.

I tap the green button and clear my throat."H-hello, this is Eve."

"Eve Mason?"

"Yes, this is her."

"Miss Mason, this is Detective McCleary.There has been a development, and we need you to come down to the station."His southern drawl is comforting but I'm instantly on edge about coming to the police station.

I place my hand over the phone and tell everyone, "He says there's been a development in the case.He wants me to come to the station."

Vaughn mouths 'when' without actually speaking.

I put the phone back to my ear."When do you need me to come?"

"The sooner, the better Miss Mason.Could you come now?"

"I uh sure.Yeah.I'll be right there."

I drop the hand holding my phone to my side."He wants me to come now," I say the words without really speaking to anyone.What could he possibly want?Would they have set a trial date already?If so, why would I need to go all the way to the station for him to tell me what it is?It's something else.Something too sensitive to share over the phone.

Adam must sense my inner turmoil because he grabs me around the waist and pulls me into him."I'll drive you.Everything's going to be okay."I nod absentmindedly."Let's go."He says to me before turning his attention to the couple on the couch."We'll be back whenever we finish at the station."

Adam pulls out his phone and appears to be texting.Two seconds later, I see V pull her phone out in my periphery.She looks at Adam briefly and gives a quick nod.I'm too caught up in all the possibilities of what McCleary could want to question me about to wonder why he texted her instead of just saying it out loud.I still don't even know how he got Eli and V's phone numbers.

When we walk into the bustling police station, we see a young guy at the front desk.He doesn't look much older than me.He's tall and lanky with an innocent smile."How can I help you two?"

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