Page 92 of Peer & Coco

Sensing something in Lizzy's voice made her wonder who the guy was. "Okay, I just wanted to check. I didn't even pay attention when I was there and only noticed him when I was leaving. I'll let you go."

"Drive safe."

"Always." She disconnected the call, put her blinker on, and pulled out onto the street.

Caught between wanting to rush home to be with Peer and see Tyr before he went to bed and wanting to take the onramp to I-5 and keep going, she concentrated on the road. She hated the mix of emotions inside of her.

Her defenses were erected sky-high. So afraid of losing him, she found herself not dealing with the problems in front of her. She'd done the same thing as a teenager growing up without a father. Every boyfriend was temporary. She ran when things got too serious or became invested. Leaving was better than someone abandoning her again, like her father.

Missing the onramp, she continued on, determined to go home. As she pulled into the driveway and put the car in park, she looked in the rearview mirror and groaned. She'd forgotten to take out the car seat when she'd left the house. If Tyr had gotten sick, Peer would've had to call one of the Slag members.

Walking to the front of the house, the door opened before she reached the handle. As if coming within feet of the one thing that brought her comfort, she reached out for Peer.

His body hardened before she came into contact. "Where the hell have you been?"

Shocked at his anger, she avoided touching him and walked into the house. Tyr wasn't in the living room, and it was too early for his odd-timed bedtime.

"I got my hair done, dropped off two outfits that I wanted dry cleaned before I pack them, and went over to Lizzy and Roar's house to see her." She looked down the hallway. "Where's Tyr?"

"At the clubhouse." He stepped in front of her. "I had Holly borrow a car seat from Reider, come over here and get Tyr, so I could go comb the fucking streets looking for you."

She flinched, guilty as charged. "I'm sorry."

"Sorry?" He seemed to get bigger in front of her. "How hard is it to answer your phone or call me, so I can have someone with you to protect you. It's Portland. You're a woman alone. It's fucking dark outside."

He glared down into her eyes. She looked back, knowing it was unfair of her to put him through the worries. He was a proud man. A good man. Of course, he'd take responsibility for her safety.

Peer grabbed her shoulders and brought her to his chest. Palming the back of her head, he held her close. His rapid heartbeat pounded against her ear. The whole situation blown out of proportion coupled with her tender emotions, she closed her eyes. She wanted to pretend that the only thing bothering her was his lack of respect toward her feelings.

But it was much more. Much-much more.