Page 16 of Follow Me to Your Heart

It was our last night in the mountains, and to be real, I didn’t want to go back home. Korren wasn’t lying when she said it would be peaceful. I enjoyed not hearing my phone ring about something I needed to handle. To be able to fully focus on us made me fall deeper in love with Korren.

I lay there rubbing her feet as she tried her hardest not to drift off to sleep.

We were supposed to be watching a movie, but Korren could hardly keep her eyes open.

I assumed it was from the alcohol and food.

We’d eaten and drank good all weekend. It was finally catching up to her, and she needed the sleep to be good for her classes.

Carefully, I leaned over to grab the remote and turned the TV off. I chuckled at the way Korren’s eyes popped open. She sat up on her elbows with dented brows.

“Why did you turn the TV off, Cage?”

“Because you were falling asleep. Come on. Let’s go get in the bed.”

She swiftly shook her head, curls brushing her cheeks with each sway. “No, I’m good. It’s our last night. I don’t want to go to bed early.”

“It’s all good, baby. You need to rest for classes tomorrow.”

“I’m not going tomorrow. I haven’t missed a day yet, and I know I’ll need all day to recover. I got all my work done anyway, so I’ll be good.”

“Come here,” I urged, patting my chest.

Korren crawled over and lay on top of me. Her head rested on my chest. I massaged her scalp through her wild curls, getting a whiff of her fruity shampoo every few seconds. She slid her hands underneath my back. The peace I felt wasn’t comparable to anything.

“I want to spend the rest of my life like this, KoKo.”

She propped her chin on my chest and smiled. “Like what, Cage?”

“Worry free with you. Just being grateful for the love and peace you give me. I wasn’t sure if I could ever love you more than I already do, but this weekend made me realize I can.”

“It’s the same for me. Honestly, you’re the reason I decided to go to college in Harley Grove.

I could’ve easily gone to Camden Cove and lived at home with Daddy, but I couldn’t fathom the thought of being away from you like that.

Plus, it was time for me to spread my wings anyway. You helped with that.”

“You followed me?”

“Right to your heart.”

I tapped her nose with my finger. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. We’re right where we’re supposed to be.”

“Exactly.”

“Are you going to meet up and talk with Sienna when you get back?”

Korren expelled a breath and hunched her shoulders. “I don’t know. Probably not right when I get back, but I will eventually. I’m still in my feelings.”

“That’s your best friend, KoKo. You can’t shut her out forever. You’d be wrong not to hear her out.”

“I guess you’re right. It’s just . . . she’s one person I never thought would hurt me. That night still affects me, Cage, and she has no idea.”

The thought of Jody irritated my soul and had my trigger finger itching. If I could go back and find him, I would. I guess Korren noticed my change in demeanor because she wiggled up closer to me and kissed my chin.

“I’m okay, Cage. I promise.”

I tucked my hands underneath her armpits and pulled her up to where we were face-to-face.

She giggled, pushing her hair back to where it wouldn’t fall into my face.

We kissed, long and deep. Her hand trailed down my stomach to the waistband of my black and white checkered pajama pants that matched hers.

“Fuck,” I muttered. Her soft, cold flesh gripped my member and stroked. She swirled her tongue around mine and moaned. I gripped her wrist and glared up at her. “KoKo.”

“Hmm?”

“Don’t ignore your feelings, baby. If you need to go talk to someone about everything, do it. You can’t bury yourself in life to avoid how you feel.”

“Can I bury myself in you to avoid it?”

“You can bury yourself in me for whatever. Just know I’ll give you the outlet you need, however you need it. I’ll set you something up with a therapist while holding you tight and being your shoulder to cry on. I got you.”

As I expected, Korren nuzzled her face into my neck and cried. The harder she cried, the angrier I became. Jody had scarred her, and I let him live. I had to take it as God keeping me from something, so I shook off the urge to kill and comforted my baby.

Korren cried herself to sleep. I didn’t move a muscle as I watched her breathing become normal.

Never had I feared anything in my life, but loving her scared me.

It scared me because I’d never regretted anything when it came to her.

The dried-up tears on her face were reminders of the nigga who hurt her.

I tried to remind myself I’d handled the problem, but her lingering hurt had me thinking otherwise.

When I said loving her made me crazy, I meant that shit.

“You sure you want to do this?” Red asked, tucking his gun in his waistband.

I rubbed my beard, closely watching Jody’s apartment. There were still a few stragglers, and I didn’t want to bust in quite yet. I needed him to be alone. I needed him caught off guard, just as he’d caught Korren off guard.

“Yeah,” was all I offered Red.

He sat back in the passenger seat and exhaled. “You don’t want do to this, for real, Cage.”

“What makes you think that?”

“I heard about what he did to Korren. While it was fucked up, you don’t want to take his life over it. You got your lick back when you shot him and ended his career. This isn’t like you. Don’t let loving her make you do something you’ll regret.”

“You don’t understand, Red. He hurt my baby. She’s scarred by his actions, man. You think I’m supposed to let that shit ride?”

Red pulled on the blunt between his fingers and offered it to me. I shook my head. He shrugged, took another long pull, and answered. “You didn’t let it ride. You did what you needed to do in that moment. What’s doubling back going to do for you?”

“Make me feel better knowing he’s not a problem anymore.”

“Whether he’s dead or alive, he’s going to be a problem until Korren heals.

That’s what’s eating at you now. Let’s keep it real.

You’re not a real killer, Cage. You do so when it’s necessary, but to act on impulse isn’t you.

Don’t let loving Korren fuck around and have you locked up for not using your head like you usually do. ”

I turned my head and lowered my eyes. It took me a few seconds, but I realized what was going on with Red. “I see that tree got you thinking logically. I can’t remember the last time you talked some sense into me, but I appreciate you for doing so.”

“Fuck you, Cage. I’m always logical.”

“If you say so. Let’s go check up on the houses before we call it a night.”

“Say less.”

Red and I rode by all our houses, checking in with everyone. To my surprise, things were going smoothly with the new men in position. Unlike the other ones, they had something to prove, and they were doing exactly that.

Nothing needed our extra attention, so I had Red drop me off at my car.

I headed home to shower. I could’ve stayed there, but my heart needed my baby.

I’d gotten used to sleeping with Korren, holding her in my arms until light snores escaped her nose and lips.

It was two in the morning, so I figured she was knocked out.

Quietly, I tiptoed into Korren’s apartment, careful not to wake her or Nema.

I had to catch myself and not laugh out loud from the way Korren was sprawled out on her bed.

Her mouth was slightly agape with a little drool trickling down the side.

She was sleeping too good. I didn’t want to wake her, but I yearned to be near her.

I sat on the edge of her bed, gazing at her.

Being able to love Korren out loud seemed to make me love her more.

At the same time, it seemed to make me crazier when it came to her.

Since I’d known Korren, I felt an overwhelming sense to be her protector.

She meant too much to me not to look out for her.

She moved, jolting me from my thoughts. Without opening her eyes, she questioned, “Are you going to come lay down with me?”

“How did you know I was here when you were just knocked out?”

“I can always feel you, Cage. No matter what, I feel you.”

And I believed her.

I peeled off my hoodie and sweatpants, then climbed in bed with Korren. The second I wrapped my arms around her and kissed her shoulder, I was out.

“I can’t believe we’re doing this,” I expressed to Keith as we waited for the broker to arrive at the coffee shop.

Keith took a sip of his tea and chucked. “What I can’t believe is that you’re actually here. I was worried you’d flake out on me.”

“Nah, man. I told you I was ready to act on it.”

“I’m proud of you, for real. This is a big step you’re taking, Cage. I know it can’t be easy, but I know it’ll be worth it in the long run.”

“I hope so. I just want to do what’s been on my heart for years.”

There was a part of me that felt as if I wasn’t ready. I almost talked myself out of meeting with Keith, coming up with different excuses as to why it wouldn’t work out. I didn’t let it stop me.

Keith and I chopped it up while we waited for the broker. She’d gotten stuck in traffic and was ten minutes out. As I was texting Korren, a call from O’Shea came through. I glanced up at Keith and excused myself to go answer.

“What’s good, O’Shea?”

“What’s good, youngin’? What you got up right now?”

Over my shoulder, I looked at Keith who was intently watching me with low eyes. He shook his head at me.

“Uh,” I started, tugging at my goatee. “I’m in the middle of something with my friend. You need something?”

“Yeah. Marcus can’t run his pickup route today. He had a family emergency. I need you and Red to handle it for me. I’ll pay y’all double for the trouble. I’d do it myself, but I’m not in the country.”

Fuck.

There was no way I could decline, especially with the extra money. I agreed and informed O’Shea I’d be back in the city soon. When I ended the call, I sent Red a text to get ready before going back to the table.

I opened my mouth, and Keith held his hand up. “You don’t even gotta explain. I’ll handle it myself.”

“My bad, Keith. If it wasn’t urgent, I wouldn’t go.”

“I hear you.”

I swiped my smoothie off the table and headed to the door. Keith called out to me just as my hand touched the door handle.

“Yeah, Keith?”

“Let me know when you’re truly ready. You can’t run forever.”