“So Maddie texted me and wants to go shopping. I was gonna tell her no, but then I decided I might want to get some little things for myself for tonight.” The look Sophie gives me lets me know exactly what she’s talking about, and even if I don’t get to rip them off her body, just knowing she’s wearing them is enough to make me hard.
“Really? Are we talking naughty little things?” I arch a brow, smirking. “Because I could get on board with that.”
“Perhaps. You’ll have to wait and see.”
I lean over and cup her cheeks before planting a deep kiss on her soft lips. “Go. Have fun. Just in case you’re wondering, red’s my favorite color. Has been since the moment I saw it on you.” I wink, remembering her lacy red bra that first night we met.
She pulls back, snorting. “Good to know.”
This past week together has been one of the best weeks of my life. I can’t remember ever feeling this happy or eager to spend time with someone before. Fighting my feelings was a losing battle, and now I can’t imagine not touching Sophie anytime we’re together.
I hate that she’s going to the grief meeting tonight, but I don’t want to be one of those guys who tells her what she can and can’t do. Douchebag Weston was a controlling asshole, and I refuse to have any of those qualities. I want Sophie and me to decide things together, but I also know she’s a loyal friend, and if it’s her last meeting, I can live with that. It’ll give me more time to get things ready for our date night.
Though it doesn’t mean I like Caleb. Hell, I trust him as far as I can throw him.
My friend, Jerad, who helped me dig up shit on Weston could easily help get me information on this Caleb guy. Sophie would probably yell at me for snooping, but considering her ex’s two-faced ass, I can’t be too safe when it comes to her.
I shoot him a text to call me when he gets the chance, then tell Sophie goodbye before she heads out to pick up Maddie. “Have fun.”
“What are you going to do while I’m gone?” she asks, wrapping her arms around my neck as I pull her body into mine.
“Well, I figure you’ll be gone for a few hours, so I’ll probably drink a few beers, call a couple of strippers over, and then jerk off in the shower.”
“So just a regular Saturday afternoon.”
“I mean, you could stay and participate in the festivities if you want…”
Sophie chuckles, leaning up on her toes for another kiss. “Nah, you have fun. I’ll be back in a bit.”
I watch as she walks out to the driveway and hops into her car, then waves goodbye. Just as I shut the door, my phone rings, and I pick it up when I see it’s Jerad.
“Hey, Big Daddy,” I greet.
“That’s what your mother called me last night,” he responds.
“Dude, gross. That’s crossing a line.” I shiver.
“Do I need to remind you of when—”
“Shut up. Whatever you’re going to say.” I laugh, shaking my head and knowing he has too much shit on me for me to even argue.
“So who are you spying on now, Holt?”
“No giving me shit this time. I had a right to be worried beforehand, so I’m just taking some precautions. Not to mention my dad made a house visit a couple of nights ago.”
“Was it bad?” he asks, knowing damn well our relationship isn’t great.
“I don’t know yet. He said Caleb’s family is pretty pissed the judge dropped my charges based on self-defense.”
“Wait, what? There was a fucking surveillance video! How much more evidence do they need?” He asks the same questions I had for my dad when he dropped that bomb on me.
“Apparently, they want to fight that it was wrongful death, and that I provoked him to use his gun. Hell, I don’t really know.”
“It’s bullshit is what it is,” he says.
“I agree. But there’s not much I can do until they file with the courts or serve me papers.”
“Dude, if they try to sue you, I’m going to be outraged. You let me know if you hear from them because I’ll do whatever you need, okay?”
“Yeah, thanks, man. Appreciate that.”
“Alright, so tell me what you need. I’m not in my office, but I can be there in a few hours. Izzy has a dance recital this afternoon, so once that’s done, I can head over.”
“That’d be great. The name is Caleb Royce. I took a picture of his license plate and will send it over to you. Send me whatever you can find. Criminal record, work history, address.”
“Got it. Do I dare ask why?” He chuckles.
“It’s a guy in Sophie’s grieving circle, and he’s just…I don’t know, I get a weird vibe. He says he’s grieving his late wife who died a few months ago, but by the way he looks at Sophie, I don’t think he’s grieving a damn thing. In fact, he gives me the impression he stalks women at these meetings or something.”