Page 75 of UnWholly Angels
I swallowed thickly, thinking of a million lies in my head, but decided to tell the truth. “I was trying on dresses for homecoming. I was invited by some of the girls in school whom I tutor.”
I kept my eyes down, focusing on the ground. Rocco’s foot tapped impatiently on the concrete step, and I flinched when his hand rested on my back. One word gave me the permission I needed. “Fine.”
Yeah, fine, because he had no choice. I was invited by people from the outside, but I still acted grateful. “Thank you, Rocco.”
He nodded, and I headed into the house, straight for my room, gasping at what was lying across my bed. Blinking a few times, I picked up the soft material, my fingers threading through the sparkly dress. Who did this? My question was answered when a note fell to the bed next to a pair of silver heels and a large silver barrette for my hair.
The note was from Riley, asking me to the dance, but it was in some funny riddle, and it took a few moments for the lightbulb to click. Footsteps creaked up the stairs and stopped at the door. The warden would kill him for being up here, but I knew he wouldn’t care much. He took beatings for a lot less.
I turned to face him with watery eyes. “How did you know?”
“Because I know you, and I may have also been watching you when you didn’t know it.”
I laughed at his rapid admission, walking toward him and bringing him into an embrace. There was only one problem:there had to be strings, there always was. “What do I owe you for all of this, what’s the catch?” I asked, pulling away to stare into his confused eyes.
“Just a dance, Freckles.”
He never got that dance, until recently, that is.
“Okay, I might ugly cry. So, did he steal it?” Charlotte asked. I wasn’t sure when, but Rowan had snuck in and was watching the game from the floor, too engrossed to care what we were talking about and digging his hand into a bowl of popcorn.
“Initially, he did, but a couple of months later, I found out Nick was too afraid of being caught, so he went back to the store and paid for it with his parents’ credit card.”
Warmth spread across my abdomen at the realization of how long Riley had been looking out for me, protecting me not just from Rocco, but anyone or anything that threatened my peace. We kept trying to make up for lost time. Maybe, it was time to enjoy the present and look to the future with positivity.
“You know,” Rowan piped up. “If you all weren’t so focused on the sentimental, you would have seen Angel getting the game winning goal, and a hat trick too.”
He was right, the game was over, and they were recapping tonight’s game. Riley sat on the bench, finishing up his interview for tonight’s game. All I wanted him to do was reach out because I needed to hear his voice.
As if on cue, my phone buzzed, showing Riley wanting to have a video call. Quickly, I swiped up, giving it a moment to adjust his glitchy face.
“Hey, Freckles, did you see—”
I rolled my eyes. “Did you only call me to brag?”
“Of course. You’re my favorite, and always know how to stroke my ego.”
“Among other things,” Elizabeth laughed. Heat pooled in my abdomen at both statements. I loved it when he called mehis favorite. I hardly noticed he was dressed up, ready to go celebrate the win. I’d make sure to have Nick watch over him. Riley hadn’t been drinking much, and I wanted to keep it that way. “Are you going out?” I asked.
“Just a couple of drinks to celebrate the crushing 7-2 win.” I gave him a warning look, and he just stared back, myself finally being the one to break the silence. “Not too much, if you’re drunk, you can’t consent,” I said.
“I’ll only have a few, okay. Both of us have been doing well.”
I nodded with a smile. I promised him I would ease up on the iced coffee if he would the booze. I know the two were vastly different, but I wanted to be as supportive as possible.
“She told us the dress story,” Chloe cut in. “Very beautiful, Angel.”
“Only the best for my girl,” he winked. “I finally did get that dance, though. I’d like another one sometime.” His tone was playful, so in order not to crush the mood, I hit it back like I knew how. I mean, I learned from the best. “Then, I guess you will have to come get another one.”
I bit down on my bottom lip seductively, watching him shift uncomfortably in the seat. “I love you, Maya. Be good while I’m gone.”
“Not touching myself will be a piece of cake,” I replied, taking on his challenge. “I love you too, call me when you get in so I know you’re safe.”
“Well, you’re never subtle, are you? As soon as we get in, I’ll call.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
Riley
