Playing (Inked Hearts 2)

Chapter Twenty-Five

Iris

"You're my good luck charm." Walker brushes a stray hair behind my ear. He stares into my eyes like I'm the source of all the beauty and wonder in the universe.

It's right there on his cell phone. A text from his mom.

You're right. We need to push her. Let's set something up in a few weeks.

His parents are going to throw down an ultimatum.

They're going to push his sister into rehab.

It's fucking weird they're telling him in a text.

But it's good.

My shoulders relax. My chest warms. It's like it's my sister who's finally getting help.

His relief is my relief.

I want this for him so badly. "You would have gotten through that without me."

"Maybe. But I wouldn't take that bet." He plants a soft, sweet kiss on my lips. "Pretty sure that was eighty percent you convincing them."

"It's the PhD thing."

He nods. "Yeah. It would annoy me that they think I'm an idiot because I'm not in school, but I'm too happy to care."

Light bounces off our sleek white table. We're at a trendy ice cream place in Beverly Hills for dessert and… well, I guess it's a celebration now.

My coffee ice cream with chocolate chips on top is rich, creamy perfection.

And he's here. And this is going to be okay.

And we…

Well, if he really does mean the past is the past, then we'll be okay too.

Does he mean that?

I'm trying to believe it.

I want to believe it.

"What about last night?" I suck ice cream off my plastic spoon. "When I stumbled into your place to find your sister high on your couch?"

"She'd have been there either way."

Probably true. "She always goes to you?"

"Yeah." He licks chocolate chip ice cream from his spoon.

"And you're the only person who really lays down the law?"

"As far as I know."

"She wants you to help. Deep down."