Page 9 of The Love Duet
Still signing and speaking, Pepper said, “I drove her, so-”
“I can drive Roxanne home,” I offered, signing and speaking.Looking over at Roxanne, I added, “If you don’t mind.”
“Okay,” Roxanne signed back, then I watched as she signed all kinds of words to Pepper that were too fast and too advanced for my beginner’s status.When Pepper started signing back just as fast, I suddenly felt like such an underachiever.
Finally, Pepper looked over at me, her eyes narrowing a bit.“I told her to call me as soon as she gets home,” Pepper signed and spoke.“I don’t know you, Royce Cameron.I might know who you are, but I don’t know you.”Straightening her back, she added, “I’m entrusting you with the best person that I know, so don’t mess it up.”
“I hear you,” I signed and spoke.“I promise that I’ll get her home safely.”
Pepper harrumphed me, then turned to hug Roxanne.After their hug and a few more hand gestures, Pepper stepped to make her way to the parking lot, but that wasn’t how I got down.
Reaching for her, I grabbed her arm, then spun her around, though I made sure to do it as gently as possible.Something told me that Pepper Milo was probably a feral little thing.“Hey, you don’t get to walk to the parking lot alone,” I told her.“Not while I’m around.”
Pepper side-eyed Roxanne, then signed what I’d said.At least, that’s what I thought she was doing.“Fine,” Pepper signed and spoke.“And thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” I signed and spoke back, and then taking liberties that I probably didn’t have the right to right now, I grabbed Roxanne’s hand, then the three of us made our way to the stadium parking lot.
After seeing Pepper safely to her vehicle, Roxanne and I made our way towards my car, and the entire time, I was wearing the biggest smile ever on my face.
Chapter 4
Royce~
The drive to Roxanne’s house hadn’t been long enough in my opinion.She lived only two miles from the school, though it’d been a pleasant surprise to learn that she only lived three blocks from my house.While I had no plans on stalking her beyond what I’d already had, having her live so closely was going to help with picking her up for school every day.
“So, are you going to tell me what happened after we left?”
It was Saturday morning, and my mom was already up, making breakfast.My parents were creatures of habit, and Dad was in the shower right now, after his morning run, while Mom cooked.My mom always woke up at five, so her daily workout had finished a long time ago.It was nine right now, and Mom was an angel to let her men sleep in when they needed it.
Sitting down at the breakfast bar, I reached for a piece of sliced fruit.“Her friend, Pepper, let me drive Roxie home.”
Mom chuckled at that.“Pepper sounds like a very good friend.”
“She is,” I confirmed.“She threatened me if Roxie didn’t make it home safely.”
Mom turned from the stove to look over at me.“Roxie?”
