Page 44 of Imbalanced Minds

With both of us in the car, he shuts the door slightly then leans in to talk quietly to Justin. What he fails to know is we can still hear them.

“He ran out the back. I followed him as long as I could a few blocks south, but he vanished. I was on the phone the whole time and the cops met me down the road. It’s in their hands now.”

“Fuck,” Cory hisses. “We need to leave. Now.”

The front and back doors to the Uber fly open and in rush the guys. Both worked up and ready for battle. Justin commands the driver to move it like we’re in some car chase, while Cory sits next to me seething.

Considering the degree of urgency both Cory and Justin went to, the Uber ride home is long and quiet. None of us dare utter a word while staying clear of Cory. I’ve never seen him so livid before, other than the night we first hooked up.

Knowing he has little self-control over his temper, I link our hands together, entwining our fingers, hoping my touch is enough to bring him out of whatever war he’s having within himself.

Despite my current situation, Cory is grounding me alone by his touch and I want to be able to reciprocate his gesture.

I’m telling him I’ve got you, let me catch you, too.

Letting out a deep breath, Cory turns his head to me and whispers, “I love you, Iris.”

“I love you too, big guy.”