Page 97 of Control Freak

I sat before my computer,frowning at the lack of messages from Jimmie on the secure site that the Missouri state prison had set up for inmates to communicate with family or friends. We’d used it very briefly when he was first incarcerated. I’d felt bad that he had no one in his life who cared enough to visit him. But once the harassment began with Brick and Curtis—and Jimmie denied any responsibility for it—I’d stopped reaching out.

Maybe he didn’t even check for messages anymore. Maybe he’d given up on anyone outside the prison walls caring if he lived or died.

My stomach twisted. I didn’t want him to die in there because I’d given up on him…

The bathroom door opened, and Holden emerged, still buttoning his gray button-down. Apparently, color was reserved for dates.

“Something wrong?” he asked. “You look like that computer offended you.”

I smiled faintly. “No, I just wish you could stay home and play hooky with me.”

The class I’d been covering every day had its teacher back from maternity leave, which meant I’d still sub, but I’d be moving from class to class a lot more. Or staying home, like today, when they didn’t need me.

“You can go by the junkyard and make sure Axel isn’t playing hooky onhisjob. I’ve always wanted a good spy.” He winked. “You don’t have to sit here alone.”

Holden trusted his brother. In the whole time I’d lived here, he hadn’t once gone over to check up on him. He was just trying to give me a project so that I wouldn’t be restless.

“It’s okay. I’ve got an email from the school about subbing for a new class. I need to read up on the lesson plan.”

“Okay, if you’re sure. I’ll see you for lunch.”

We’d already had breakfast, so this was goodbye. Before I could turn back to the screen, he dipped down and brushed his lips over mine.

When he pulled back, I stared at him in surprise. “You kissed me.”

A slow smile spread across his face. “That’s right. I can do that now.”

A big, goofy smile overtook me, and I laughed. “I guess you can. Kiss me again?”

He leaned down and kissed me more thoroughly, giving me a hint of tongue and making me burn for more. He straightened with a smirk.

“Never thought I’d be able to make you look like that.”

“Like what?”

“Flustered,” he murmured. “Needy.”

I scoffed. “You know I want you when we’re together.”

“Mm. But this time, Imadeyou want me.”

He walked away before I could answer, a little spring in his step. With anyone else, it would seem cocky. But Holden deserved his moment in the sun after going so long without the warmth of human contact.

I went over the lesson plan, then did some research so I could embellish the science lesson with a fun experiment making different types of slime. I’d have to make a run into town for ingredients, but I’d have plenty of time.

I changed and headed out, intercepting the mail carrier. The woman, in her mid-forties with a red ponytail and freckles that made it easy to imagine how she’d looked at twelve, handed me a thick envelope.

“Someone’s got college mail. Hope it’s good news!”

I looked down. It was made out to Bailey Collins c/o Holden Cross. The return address label read Thurston University, a state school a little over two hours’ drive from Riverton.

Judging by the heft of the package, it must be an admission packet. I couldn’t imagine a rejection would be so heavy, so I decided to swing by the shop and give them the good news.

Unlike the last time I’d stopped by, no one was standing around talking. Flynn was bent over an open hood, while Bailey worked at a diagnostic computer, reading its results.

A glance through Holden’s office window told me he was on the phone with Gray hovering near his shoulder.

Bailey glanced up, his blue eyes looking steely gray in the dim lighting of the shop. “Hey, Shy. Everything okay?”