Page 34 of Exile & Lula
Though I had wanted to lash out, I kept my cool. I needed to stay alive. In my head, I swore I’d escape and kill them on my way out. I could totally picture myself being a super badass. But the reality was I got dumped on a bed in a back room until Exile saved me.
Unable to relax, I moved to the family room and watched TV with the sound off. Around two in the morning, Pax shuffled out of his bedroom and dropped next to me on the couch. He set a pillow on his lap, and I rested my head on it. My tears dried as my dad stroked my hair. We remained together for another hour, watching “Joy Ride” with the subtitles on.
Once the movie ended, Pax walked me to bed. We didn’t share a word, but I felt better as I crawled in next to Dillon. Pax stroked my head. His touch felt like an unbreakable promise. My dad would keep the monsters at bay while I let my guard down.
Hours later, I awoke achy and exhausted next to Dillon. Finding her reading on her phone, I peeked to check where she was in “The Great Gatsby.” I smiled at my daughter and hoped she got to accomplish her every dream in life.
After cleaning up, we joined my parents and the foster kids for breakfast. Dillon decided to go to school. Though I considered keeping her home, I chose to let her return to her routine.
Once alone at home, I pretended to work, but I couldn’t shake my restlessness. Around ten, I received a video call from Stevie. My heart hurt at the sight of her tired, battered face.
“I thought you were going to die,” Stevie said, tearing up. “I let you down.”
Instantly crying, I insisted, “No, you and Cher were badasses. I should have helped you. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t cry. You did nothing wrong.”
Wiping my tears, I smiled at her. “How do you feel?”
“Funky. They have me on the good hard meds, so I’m not sharp right now,” Stevie said and then glanced in the direction of her sister’s bed. “They’re keeping Cher asleep to let her brain rest. I think that’s good, you know? She was always tired. This way, she can have a long nap and get better.”
I smiled at Stevie’s optimism, even while wondering how much of it was related to her medication.
We talked only a bit more before she yawned too often to keep the conversation going. I asked if I could visit, but she claimed she only wanted her mom and dad around.
“I don’t want to pretend for people,” Stevie explained and yawned again. “I can be a whiny baby with my parents. No tough girl shit for me right now.”
After the call, I nearly texted Exile to cancel our lunch date. I felt too morose to spend the afternoon flirting with him.
Falling on my bed after showering, I considered how he left home and rode for hours to reach me. He then got stuck with Rowdy for the night. My brother was a fun guy, but I doubted Exile planned on that scenario when he showed up at my door.
Even if I wanted to stay home and hide from the world, I owed Exile at least a meal out like normal people.
The biker certainly didn’t look like a normal guy as he strutted up to my front door. He wore one of the shirts I had bought Rowdy over the years. The fabric clung to Exile’s buff chest, leaving me very aware of why I’d been so willing to flirt yesterday.
On Exile’s head was his trusty cowboy hat. My brother parked at our parents’ house and waved at me before heading inside. I smiled at how he knew to let Exile and me be.
“You look great,” I said, forgetting myself. “I hope you and Rowdy weren’t at each other’s throats all night.”
Offering a stunning smile, Exile chuckled. “He was a good host, except for kicking my ass at video games.”
Exile stepped into the foyer and exhaled softly as if the sight of me made it difficult for him to breathe.
I shut the door and started to turn away. A sudden urge came over me, demanding I keep him at arm’s length.
Exile would be gone soon. I was already thinking about losing him rather than enjoying how he was right here with me now.
Turning back toward Exile, I met his gaze and smiled softly. His expression shifted immediately. I realized his walls were also up. Now, though, with me smiling so invitingly at him, he exposed his heart for me.
“I’ll drive,” I said and rested my hand against his chest. “You can be my bodyguard.”
Exile didn’t rush his lips to mine. His calloused fingers moved like a breeze across my cheeks. He tested out the feelings between us. Exile likely spent all night wondering if he made a mistake by coming to Little Memphis to see me.Was I worth the effort?
His fingers stroked my lips. I felt his control slipping. We were quickly addicted to this attraction between us.
Exile kissed me softly, testing my reaction. I met his tentative heat with my more assertive desire. Feeling brazen, he deepened the kiss and wrapped his body against mine. The heat between us washed away my earlier sadness. Right then, the world shrank down to only Exile and me, and he felt fucking great.
“Holy hell,” he muttered when we came up for air.
