Page 56 of Tension

“If Vel fucks up,” she added casually, “call me.”

She winked and walked away.

When she was gone, I glanced sideways.

Vel was grinning like a damn fool.

“You done with the attitude now? Because clearly she’s into you, not me.” He poked my side. “Didn’t know you could get so jealous.”

“I wasn’t jealous. You’re the one who came over licking and growling like a wild animal. Might as well have pulled your dick out and pissed on me.” I said, then turned to him. “It’s just been a long day. And then my ‘friend’ showed up without telling me and... it stung.”

He nodded, amused. “I like how strongly you feel about our friendship,” he said, sipping water.

“Now tell me about your day.”

My throat tightened. I glanced at him, and my eyes betrayed me. I hated it. Vel leaned closer. His hand found my waist and pulled me in gently. Warmth spread through my ribs.

“Chris, baby... tell me what’s wrong?” he murmured, lifting my chin until our eyes met.

And I did. Everything spilled out. He pulled me close, wiping my tears away with the pad of his thumb, then stood, placed a hundred-dollar bill on the bar, grabbed my hand, and led us out.

Outside, I scanned the parking lot. The shadows felt heavier than they should. That now-familiar paranoia crept in like smoke. Vel felt it, too. He tightened his arm around me, guiding me closer. He opened his truck door, grabbed a gift bag from the passenger seat, and placed it in my lap before closing the door gently.

He climbed in, started the engine, and pulled off.

He was quiet, brooding.

That silence meant he was thinking about doing something violent, but holding back.

“Why didn’t you call me, Chris?” His voice was low and menacing, scaring me just enough to get my panties wet.

“What could you have done?” I asked, truly wondering.

He looked at me with anger.

“You don’t know what the fuck I would have done because you didn’t fucking call me!”

I jumped; he had never raised his voice at me.

He wasn’t going to start now.

“Did I yell at you?” I yelled.

“You just did!” he yelled back.

“Because you yelled at me!”

He didn’t respond, his grip tight on the steering wheel.

We were heading toward his place, and relief settled in my chest like a warm blanket. I knew his house was locked down: cameras, alarms, everything. I fidgeted with the bag in my lap.

“That’s for you,” he said, softer now.

I looked up, still holding on to my attitude.

“What?”

“I was gonna pop up on you after I finished some things for work. Figured I’d catch you when you got off.”