Willow
Dinner with Tawny and Jefferson hadn't been too bad.
Larissa had latched onto me and hadn't let go. I'd even tucked her in and read to her until she fell asleep. I knew there was no way I could handle hearing her cry for me when I left. The way she'd clung to me reminded me of how I felt. Afraid I'd lose someone I loved. I wasn't going to stay away any longer. I'd discussed with Tawny meeting her half way and getting Larissa one night a week. That way I could spend time with just her and not have to face that house again. Surprisingly Jefferson was behind the idea one hundred percent. He apparently didn't like Larissa crying for me either. I wanted to hate him but when I watched him with Larissa it made it hard. Things happen in life and you can't control them. It sucks and you have to move on.
Holding a grudge against Tawny and Jefferson was pointless. It only hurt Larissa and she was innocent.
Cage's bedroom door opened and he walked out, frowning.
"Are you sure you're okay with this? I'd feel better about going if you'd come too."
I shook my head. I wasn't going to be his shadow anymore.
He needed to get back to his life. Tonight I wanted him to go out and have a good time with his friends. I was fine right here.
"I have chocolate ice cream and two seasons worth of True Blood. So go. Me and vampire Eric will be just fine. I promise."
He sighed and reached over and hugged me, "Okay fine.
I'm going. But you call me the minute you feel an anxiety attack or just if you get upset or---"
"Cage, GO now," I pointed toward the door.
"I'm going. But I've got my phone with me."
"I heard you, Cage. Go."
Once the door closed behind him I got out my chocolate ice cream and headed for the couch. Tonight I would forget about everything except hot viking vampires.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Marcus
"Don't look now but Cage is headed this way," Dewayne muttered, jerking me back to the present. I'd gotten lost in my thoughts. Since Dad had informed me how incredibly wrong I'd been about Will ow, I'd done nothing but replay every awful word I'd said to her. I searched the crowd until I found Cage walking our way. He was alone.
"Sorry man, I didn't know he was going to be here tonight or I'd have given you a heads up," Preston whispered from across the table.
"Stop babying him. He's gonna have to deal with it eventually," Rock said with an unapologetic shrug. He was right of course.
"Didn't expect you out tonight," Preston said as Cage came to a stop at the table.
"I needed a night out. Low insisted I go do something."
"She didn't come out with you?" I surprised everyone including myself by asking.
Cage frowned at me then tilted his head as if he was studying me. I stared at him. Waiting on an answer while he decided if I deserved one or not.
"No. She had a bad experience the last time I talked her into getting out of the apartment and coming here with me," he replied slowly and evenly. The night I'd grabbed the girl and danced with her. Damn the list of marks against me were endless.
"Uh, well, it's good you got out tonight. You don't do that much anymore," Preston piped up in an attempt to break through the tension.
Cage continued to glare at me, "I've had other priorities." I wanted to hate him. Because he'd been there for her.
Because he'd been what I hadn't. But I couldn't hate him.
Instead, I was grateful someone had taken care of her.
"Is she okay?" I needed to know. Anything. Just something. I needed something.