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I love you, Mama. I’ll always make sure you’re safe.
Wish me luck.
Dusty
I folded the note and put it on the nightstand next to my bed. My already-packed backpack flung on my shoulder. Helmet under my arm. Weapons, boots and cut on. Money in wallet. I was good to go.
After my meet with Cosimo last night, there was nothing that held me back anymore. As long as I didn’t start any clubs of my own or got in the way of business, Cosimo had no problem with my not being Prez anymore. It helped that his wife and Cammie used to be friends. He also said he knew what it meant to change for the woman you loved, to be ready to give up everything for her.
I reached Cal Poly around four p.m., hoping I’d catch my Cammie as she left campus. She was still not answering her phone.
Impatience beat me after a few minutes of waiting, so I decided to call Ashley. Maybe I’d have better luck there.
“Hello?” she answered.
“Hey, Ash. It’s me…Dusty.” I wet my lips. “Uh…how you doing?”
A sigh. “What do you want?”
“Ouch. Does that mean you hate me, too?”
“What do you want, Dusty?”
“Well…is Cammie with you? I tried to call her so many times, but she never picks up.”
“That’s because she gave me her phone, precisely so she won’t do that.”
I nodded, blowing a breath out in frustration. “I get it. Fuck. Um…is she with you now by any chance?”
“No. She took off early. I’m still at school.”
I ran a thumb over my eyebrow, shaking my head. “Okay. Can I see you for a second? I’m right outside, by the way.”
“Dusty, I don’t know.”
“Please, Ash.”
A long pause.
“C’mon. You’re my last hope. Please.”
Another sigh. “Fine. I’ll be out in a minute.”
Yes!“Thank you.”
I took off my helmet and rested against the bike until she came out. A scowl on her little face. Her arms stiff. Her eyes wary.
“Shit. I was hoping when you see me, you’ll forgive me and like me again.” I plastered my best crooked smile on my lips.
She shrugged. “You’ve been a dick. Your charms don’t work when you’ve been a dick.”
“True. And I understand if you don’t wanna be seen with me, especially here. Do you wanna go somewhere?”
“No. Just say what you’re here for. You gotta know I’m not gonna be your messenger, though. I’m on Cam’s side on this, and I’ll protect my girl even from you.”
“Fair enough.” I put my hands together in a plea. “Can you please tell me if she’s gonna be home tonight?”
“Where else would she be? Today was the first day she left the apartment after that stupid Valentine’s and look what happened to…” She chopped off her words.