Page 101 of Stay With Me

“Thank you.”

I pull her in for a kiss and am tempted to get lost in her lips, but I know we both have shit to do.

“Text me later if you wanna hang out and watch a movie,” I tell her.

“I might need a couple hours to decompress after I get home from visitin’ my parents, but I definitely will let you know.”

I give her a final peck and then watch as she walks toward her door. Then I honk twice and wave before driving away.

My phone rings when I pull out of the parking lot. It’s Landen.

“Yeah?”

“It’s Sydney. Dr. Weston’s preppin’ her for surgery.”

“Oh fuck. I’m on my way back to the ranch from Magnolia’s. Be there in fifteen.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

Magnolia

Igive Tripp a final wave before walking toward my apartment. Since I’ve already showered, I just need to put on clean clothes and eat something. I snagged the shirt Tripp let me sleep in and added it to the other one he gave me. It’s overwhelming how strong my feelings have grown for him in such a short time, and it’s obvious he has the same ones for me, which is why I froze after he told me the sweetest words I’ve ever heard. I’m not used to having a boyfriend who showers me with kindness and isn’t afraid to tell me exactly what’s on his mind.

And how fucking sad is that?

It took me off guard how easy it was for him to tell me how proud of me he was. I don’t think my own father has even said those words to me. Though it’s not because he isn’t. He just isn’t a man of many words.

But it’s nice to hear them once in a while.

After I change and stuff a granola bar into my mouth, I text my dad to let him know I’m on my way.

When I get to my SUV and see something under my windshield wipers, I stop dead in my tracks. I’ve seen enough videos on social media talking about various traps for human trafficking that include distracting someone outside their vehicleswith money or flyers on their car so they can grab you from behind.

Not today, Satan.

I grab my taser from my bag and hold it in my hand while I circle around to check my surroundings. A few of my neighbors are outside smoking and another is walking their dog. It’s the middle of the day in a somewhat busy parking lot, so I’d hope if anyone hears me screaming, they’d come to rescue me, but again, I’m not depending on anyone to save me.

Hesitantly, I get closer to my car and keep my taser stretched out in my hand. As I step toward the windshield, I notice a single-stem rose and a folded piece of paper.

Son of a bitch.That better not be from who I think it’s from.

Yanking it out from underneath the wiper, I grab it and quickly unlock my car to jump inside.

I toss the rose onto my passenger’s side, and although I don’t give a shit what he says, I want to make sure it’s not from some random creep.

I’m sorry for what happened the other day. I just miss you and wish you’d give me another chance. I know I was part of the problem in the past, but I’ve changed. I want us to live together and plan our future.

Please forgive me.

-Travis

Did he honestly write he waspartof the problem?

Oh, you stupid fucker. You’re the whole-ass problem.

His level of delusion is honestly astounding. I’ve got to give itto him, though, for not giving up after I kicked him in the balls and threatened him with bodily harm.

It’s one thing to be a shitty partner, but Travis has literally tried gaslighting me over what my own eye color was. He claimed they were green like lima beans, and I looked him dead in his eyes and said,they’re brown. He went on for ten minutes about how they were in fact not brown. I almost considered he was color-blind before realizing he just couldn’t handle being wrong.