Page 68 of Trophy
He knew it was wrong. Allison was far more important to him than Dee was.
But he also didn’t want to have the conversation they’d been about to have. It made him helpless, vulnerable. Out of control.
And he’d tried for so long never to feel that way anymore.
“I should probably go help her,” he said at last.
“Okay.”
He shot Allison a quick look. “I’m sorry. Maybe there’s someone else who could…” He trailed off, because there was absolutely no one else who was willing to help Dee. If he didn’t go, she would probably end up in jail. That wasn’t reason enough to leave Allison now. He knew it, but this was an escape route that he wanted to take.
“No, no. You go help her if she really needs someone.” Allison was sitting up again, and it looked like she meant what she was saying. “I’ll come with you.”
“No!” He hadn’t meant the word to come out so roughly, but there was no way he wanted Allison to witness what was waiting for him.
She pulled back slightly, clearly taken aback. “I just wanted to help you.”
“I know.” He leaned over to kiss her before he climbed off the bed. “I do appreciate it. But you stay here. I’ll be back as soon as I can. I’m really sorry.”
He found his clothes quickly and kissed her once more before he hurried out of the house.
He was conscious of a little tremor of a feeling underlying all the other ones coursing through him. He knew what it was.
Relief.Relief. That he could go help someone who needed it and feel more like himself.
That he could avoid that particular conversation he’d been about to have.
That he could once again be the person he’d always been.
About an hour later he came back home. He half expected Allison to be gone, but she was still in his bed, lying on her side under the covers.
He took his clothes off and climbed in beside her. He paused for a second. She wasn’t speaking or moving, but there was something about her body that made him sure she was awake. He scooted up behind her so he could spoon her.
“Is everything all right?” she asked after he’d wrapped his arms around her.
“Yeah. I took her home. She’s basically passed out, but she’ll be okay.”
“Is Cali all right?”
“She’s visiting her dad this weekend.”
Allison relaxed a little, and Rob couldn’t help but be touched that she’d been worried about the girl.
She didn’t say anything else, though, and after a while it started to worry him.
“Allison,” he murmured. “It feels like you’re mad at me.”
“I’m not mad.”
“I can talk things through with you, if you really want, but I’d rather not do it right now. I’m tired.” The night felt like it was endless. He couldn’t believe they’d had that amazing sex just a couple of hours ago.
“We don’t have to.”
He stroked her belly. “Do you mean that?”
“Of course. I shouldn’t have been so pushy.”
Rob relaxed. She sounded all right. He’d just be careful for the next few days, make sure she wasn’t upset with him. And he’d try to open up more with her so she didn’t think he was holding back.
