Page 88 of The Beat of My Heart

“Did he say anything else?” Seth asks.

I try to remember our conversation, “No, just that he wanted me to know. I feel like he was trying to tell me that Angel, I mean, Julia and Charlie were safe but he was talking about a problem he hadn’t solved yet. Something about it affecting the girls. Seth… I know who Miles Black is. I don’t know how it’s fucking possible that Lexi is mixed up in this too, but is that what he was talking about? Do we need to worry about her?” I ask.

Seth has already pulled out his phone and is typing away. I worry for a split second if I should trust him, but remember that Loki assigned him. There are few people I can trust more than Loki, so I brush that thought aside.

“Honestly, Trevor? Until we can touch base with Loki ourselves, I would plan on having you all guarded. I have to go call into HQ. If Loki called from his cell, that means he is on the move and he is not secure. The faster we can locate him, the faster we can help him,” he tells me as he gets up to leave.

Shit. Why didn’t I think to talk to Seth as soon as I got disconnected from Loki?

“So, you’re the boy that doesn’t know how to use a condom, are ya?”

Turning in my seat, I see the infamous GG walking up the steps with a cucumber and a box of freaking condoms.

“You’re not serious?” I ask.

“As a heart attack, young man. At my age, you don’t fuck around with heart attacks, so let’s get to it,” she says, handing me a cucumber and a condom.

Who the hell is this woman?

Chuckling because my day cannot get any freaking stranger, I place the condom on the cucumber like a twelve-year-old.

“Good enough,” she says. “Now, what are your intentions with my Jules? She hasn’t had an easy time of it, ya know? She was heartsick over you. Then she had to put on a cheery face while Lanie fell in love. I’m not sure what all the mess you've gotten yourself mixed up in is, but that girl is needing her fairy tale. Whatcha’ gonna do about that?”

“Everything I can,” I say confidently, just as Preston walks out onto the porch with two beers.

“You best have one of them for me,” GG says.

Choking on a laugh, he scoffs, “Of course, GG. You know me better than that.” Winking, he hands her a beer and me the other.

“Alright then, now that I’ve got this one squared away,” she says, pointing at me, “It’s time to talk about you,” she tells Preston.

“I’m squared away?” I ask.

“You gonna take care of my Jules and little Charlie?”

“Absolutely. For as long as she lets me and for the rest of Charlie’s life,” I say, acknowledging that Julia and I still have so much to discuss when it comes to us.

“Good, you’ll work it out, I know it. I read your cards this mornin’ ya know, and your king was finally centered. You need her as much as she needs you. Just keep her centered and you’ll be fine. It’s this one I’m worried about,” she says, narrowing her eyes on Preston.

“Me?” he asks incredulously. “I’m good,” he says.

Pointing her finger right in his chest, she says, “You have a broken heart.”

I chuckle. I’ve known Preston most of my life. He’s never let anyone close enough to have a broken heart, but when I see him grimace, I wonder what he is hiding.

“Ah, no,” he finally says. “No broken hearts here. I’m not in the market for heartbreak, so I keep things casual,” he tells her, but his voice is strained.

Without missing a beat, GG says, “I didn’t say you had heartbreak. I said you have a broken heart. There’s a difference, young man, and you know that better than most.”

Laughing but visibly uncomfortable, Preston replies, “Heartbreak, broken heart, it all amounts to the same thing, right? I’m going to grab a beer, who needs one?”

“I’m good,” I tell him.

“Mhm, conflict is coming your way, Preston. It will also be what heals your broken heart, so take it in stride,” GG tells him.

“Yeah… okay. Thanks?” Preston heads for the front door as fast as his legs will carry him.

“What was that about, GG?” I ask.