That wasn’t the response I expected.
* * *
My bell rings an hour later, and I open the back door of my apartment to find Kelsey and Harlow in the doorway.
“You told her?” I shoot Kelsey some major side-eye.
“I needed reinforcements for this conversation. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you first, Scar. This is serious shit.” Kelsey squeezes by me with two massive bags of takeout, leaving Harlow holding two bottles of wine.
“I tried Monroe, but Nate’s home, and she said she’s getting dicked down tonight and can’t leave.”
“Why does this feel like an emergency meeting to prevent Scarlett from making a major mistake?”
Harlow leans forward to air kiss both my cheeks. “It’s not an intervention, so don’t get dramatic. This is a planning session. We’re in uncharted Scarlett territory here, which means we need all the dirty details so we can come up with a strategy for how to move forward.”
“Why?”
“Because if my girl wants her some Gabriel Legend, she’s getting her some Gabriel Legend.”
Forty-Nine
Legend
I’ve written and deleted a half dozen texts.
I’m really glad Bump kidnapped you...The fuck?
Your lips are a fucking gift...Totally true.
Holding your hand was better than sex.Well, as far as I know. We haven’t gotten there. Yet.
I really want to see you again. Soon.And for longer than a few hours.
Are you busy right now?Lame.
God, get it together, asshole. Keep it simple. Don’t fucking creep her out or sound like you’ve never fucking done this before.
Keep. It. Together. Act like a fucking adult.
I finally settle on something simple.
Legend: It was great to see you smile today. I’m looking forward to Saturday night.
When her reply doesn’t come immediately, I force myself to drop my phone and get the fuck out of my apartment. I don’t have any destination in mind, but when I hit the hallway with Roux beside me, Bump is holding two bags of Cheetos and a six-pack of beer and heading for the stairs.
“Wanna watch Monday night football at Big Mike’s?”
Q’s dad is one of the biggest NFL fans on the planet. For the first Monday-night game of the season, he pulls out all the stops, which means Q’s ma has probably been cooking up a storm.
My stomach growls in response.
“Sounds like you’re coming, even if it’s just for Ms. Joanie’s food.”
“Fuck it, yeah. I’ll come. Let me go grab my phone.” I should leave it upstairs, but if I’m going to be gone for hours, I need people to be able to reach me.
Bullshit. You just can’t wait that long to see if she replies.The voice in my head is a dick to call me out.
It’s also right.