Sinful Protector (Roughshod Rollers MC 2)

“That’s something in common,” Jacqui points out.

I snort. “That’s not enough, Jacqui. Anyway, we spoke about it this morning and we decided it was for the best. I feel terrible.”

“You should,” Jacqui says bluntly. “You’ve kept that guy hanging all week. I feel sorry for him.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be on my side?” I say grumpily.

“I am,” Jacqui assures me. “And you did what I asked you to, which was to talk to him and try to get to know him, so I guess I can’t complain too much.” She pauses. “I still think you’re an idiot, though.”

I make a face. There’s something in Jacqui’s voice that sounds suspicious, as though she knows I’m not telling her everything. I roll my eyes and sit on my bed.

“Yeah, well, it’s over now,” I say, shrugging. “We broke up and that’s it.” I hesitate. “We did agree to stay friends, though, so maybe…you never know what the future brings.”

“Oh,” Jacqui says, suddenly sounding sad. “I’m sorry, Allison. I didn’t realize that the two of you felt differently. But you don’t have to act strong for me, alright?”

“Huh?” I ask, confused.

“I can hear it in your voice,” Jacqui explains. “You regret it ending this way. So you wanted to try, but Kyle didn’t, huh?”

“What, no, I broke up with him,” I say stupidly.

A moment later I kick myself. I should have just allowed Jacqui to believe that.

“…What?” Jacqui says, deadpan. “Okay, now I’m really confused.”

“There’s nothing to be confused about,” I say sharply, more than done with this conversation. “We weren’t compatible. We broke up. Maybe we’ll get to know each other better and try again, maybe we won’t. Discussion closed.”

Jacqui falls silent. I wince. I hadn’t meant to snap at her like that. But I’m still on edge from everything. Jesse breaking in and leaving those flowers, lying to Kyle so I can break up with him, now I’m lying to Jacqui, too.

“Sorry,” Jacqui sighs. “You’ve been through a lot this morning, I shouldn’t be pushing. You know you can talk to me about anything, right?”

“I know,” I assure her, ignoring the spark of guilt I feel at her words.

“Alright,” Jacqui says. “Where do you want me to pick you up?”

“I’ll head over to the college and see if I can catch the last class,” I tell her. “Even if I don’t, I’ll hang around on campus until you finish. I haven’t eaten, so you might find me at the cafeteria.”

“Got it,” Jacqui says. “I’ll see you later, then. And, Allison?”

“Yeah?” I ask warily.

“Hang in there, we’ll make this better somehow.”

I swallow the sudden lump in my throat. I’m not sure I can see many ways that this could get better. My primary weapon to fight Jesse with is the police, but it doesn’t look like they’re going to be much good. I don’t know any other way to fight, which means that this war, for all I was determined to fight it not that long ago, could wage indefinitely.

“Thanks,” I say roughly. “I’ll see you later.”

I hang up the phone and draw in a deep, shuddering breath. I need to get it together. I’ve set everything in motion, now. All I can do is wait and see what happens next.

“Miss Miller?”

I look up. It’s one of the younger officers. He hovers awkwardly at the door and I stand, dragging my bag over my shoulder.

“Sorry, what can I do for you?” I ask.

“You can have this back,” the officer says, holding out the card. “We got all we can off it, and we’ve taken pictures.”

“Thanks,” I say, grabbing it. I hesitate and then put it into my pocket. “I’ll hold onto it, just in case. Is there anything else you need from me? I was going to leave; I’ll be staying at a friend’s place for now.”