Reckless Kiss

“Hi, ahh… Is this Angel?” The male voice sounds a little familiar, and only one person calls me Angel.

“Yes! Are you with Deacon?”

“Hey, this is Richland Wells. I’m a friend of Deacon’s.”

“Rich! Yes, I remember.” My heart is beating so fast. If he’s been in an accident…

“How’s your brother?”

I put my hand over my nose to stop the tears. “He’s going to be okay. They’re keeping him a few days, but he’s going to recover.” The guy makes a noise of relief, and I can’t take it anymore. “I’m sorry, are you with Deacon? Please, can I speak to him?”

“You want to speak to him?” It sounds like he’s talking to me and someone else.

“Yes! Of course, I do. Is he there?”

A bit of shuffling, muffled voices. He thought I didn’t want to speak to him? How could he think that?

“Angel?” The warm male voice in my ear causes my heart to melt.

“Deacon?” My breath hiccups, and I can’t stop the fresh tears. “Oh, Deacon…”

“Don’t cry, beautiful.” His voice breaks. “Your brother’s okay?”

Nodding, I sniff before answering. “The doctor said he’s going to make a full recovery.”

“Thank God.” Deacon exhales heavily. “I’m sorry, Angel. I fucked up everything.”

“Where are you? I’ve been so worried.”

“I’m in El Paso with Rich. I asked him to do something for me… I came to help him, then I’ll turn myself in.”

My voice goes high. “You can’t do that. There’s no need.”

“I shot your brother, Angel.” His voice is tight.

Clearing the thickness from my voice, I shake my head. “He’s going to be okay. You are not going to the police. It wasn’t your fault. He came at you with a gun…”

It’s quiet on the line. “You still want to see me?”

“What? I’ve been calling and calling.”

“You told me to go.” His voice is quiet. “I thought you hated me.”

“Hated you? How could I ever—” My voice breaks again, fresh tears. “Tell me where you are. Send me the address.”

“I don’t want you coming here. You need to be with your family.”

“I need to be with you.”

“I don’t like you driving by yourself—”

Now I’m getting frustrated. “Text me the address!”

His breathy chuckle fills my ear, and my stomach warms. “Okay, beautiful. But I want you to call me every so often so I know you’re safe.”

“I’ll see you tonight.”

Turning the wheel, I go back to my brother’s house and grab that rolling suitcase. It doesn’t take long to fill it with everything I own. I’m never coming back to this house again. I don’t know if that means I’ll sleep on Lourdes’s couch or I’ll move in with Deacon, but I won’t be here.