Page 99 of Playing a Player (Sweet Cravings 1)

"Who is this?"

"This is Keira's friend, Emily. I just left her place and she's really upset. Why haven't you called her back?"

"Look, Emily, I've interfered in their relationship enough. She just needs to talk to Rory."

"Um...yeah. I agree. So where is he exactly?"

The line was silent for a second. I thought there'd be music blaring in the background, but it was really quiet. Maybe they weren't at a bar hooking up with random women.

"He's with me. Everything's fine. I'll have him home soon."

"What time exactly?"

"He'll be home in a few hours. Can you tell Keira that everything's fine?"

Emily smiled at me. "Will do. Thanks, Connor."

Connor hung up without saying goodbye.

"See," Emily said. "Everything's fine. They're probably just walking around town or something. And they're all together."

I sighed. "Maybe you're right."

"I'm definitely right. Connor just verified how right I am."

I laughed. It felt like a huge weight had just been lifted off my chest. Maybe everything was going to be okay. Maybe Rory would even forgive me. Please let him forgive me.

"Do you want to try to get some sleep?" Emily asked.

"Oh, geez, Emily, I'm so sorry. It's late. I know you have to wake up early for work."

"It's fine. But I am going to get going. I've been so tired recently."

"Yeah well there's a little human inside of you stealing all your energy."

Emily laughed. "Text me once everything's worked out."

"And if it doesn't work out?"

"Then I guess you'll just come over." She smiled at me. "But it is going to work out. He just needed some space."

"I hope so."

***

After an hour had passed a pit started to form in my stomach. Once two hours had passed I started pacing the floor. He said a few hours, right? A few meant two? Or was that a couple? Maybe a few meant three.

***

I looked down at my phone. I had texted Connor again after three hours. And now it had been four hours. It was 2 a.m. Rory wasn't coming back tonight. Either Connor had been lying about being with Rory, or Rory had refused to come home. He didn't want to see me.

I got up off the couch and walked over to Rory's room. I just wanted it to feel like he was here. This is weird. But I didn't care that it was weird. I might never get another chance to sleep in his bed. And I loved his bed. It smelled like him.

I opened up the door to his bedroom before I could change my mind. Even his room smelled like him. I lay down and curled up on his side of the bed. And I immediately started to cry. I didn't love his bed because it smelled like him. I loved it because he was always in it with

me, snuggled up next to me, holding me, making me feel safe. I missed him. And now I was worried that I was going to have to miss him for the rest of my life.

Eventually the soothing smell of cinnamon engulfed me and I slowly drifted to sleep.

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