Slay (Storm MC 4)

I stared at her.

Fuck.

I’ve wasted five days.

I jumped off the stool and pulled my phone out of my pocket. Eyeing Jess, I said, “Thanks, I needed that pep talk.”

She waved me away with her hands. “Go. Make the call and leave me to my labels. I think they might have moved while I had my back to them.”

I grinned at her. “I fucking love you, Jess.”

She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, yeah, I know, you’d be lost without me, right? You just love me for my OCD that keeps your bar in top shape.”

As I dialled Donovan and placed the phone to my ear to wait for him to answer, I poked my tongue at her. “No, I love you for your wonderful, non-sarcastic outlook on life.”

She blew me a kiss and I turned to walk out to the back to have this conversation.

The phone rang.

And rang.

And rang.

And then it went to his voicemail.

I pressed end without leaving a message.

Disappointment slapped me in the face.

Maybe he needs more time.

Maybe he’s done.

The phone vibrated in my hand.

My heart danced to the sound of its ring.

Caller ID confirmed it.

Donovan.

I pressed it to my ear. “Hello.”

Silence.

“Donovan?”

His breathing filled the silence. Ragged. “Are you okay?”

“Yes.” I paused for a moment, unsure how to proceed. “Are you?”

Silence.

And then, “Don’t worry about me.”

His words sliced sorrow through me. “I do worry about you. And as much as you might not want me to, I won’t stop worrying about you. I’ve given you space but I’m done. I want you, Donovan. I can’t put it into words, but I feel you. And I think you feel me. I think you want this as much as I do. So I’m gonna keep pushing you because, fuck it, life’s too short not to push for what you want.” My heart pulsed, and the apprehension I felt pumped through my veins.

Silence.