Page 12 of Forbidden Love

“What did he say that made you think he didn’t want you to go?”

“He said that the guy could be a creep, and then he asked if I was sure I felt well enough to go. I guess it was more about his body language than what he actually said."

“Dallas, do you think maybe Pike was jealous? Maybe he didn’t like that another man was asking you out.

“No, I think he was just worried. I shouldn’t have gotten angry. He was probably just being sweet..” I felt even worse now. I had been a bitch, and Pike hadn’t deserved that.

“I don’t know. If he’d been worried you were still sick, he wouldn’t have let you return to work. I think he didn’t want you to go because he was jealous. Maybe he has feelings for you too.”

I couldn’t accept her words. There was no way Pike had feelings for me. I wasn’t that lucky.

***

I was suddenly picked up from the warm, cozy nest I was sleeping in, and struggled against the strong arms holding me.

“Easy, easy, baby. It’s just me,” Pike rumbled.

“What are you doing?” I looped my arms around him as he carried me out the door.

“Thank you, Emily. Lock the door behind me, okay?”

Emily nodded and shut the door. I hated that she was so scared of Pike. At the beginning of our friendship, I thought it was because of his size. As Emily and I grew closer, I realized she was just scared of most men.

Pike waited until we heard the lock engage before he carried me down the steps.

“Pike, what are you doing?” I asked again. He set me in the passenger seat of his truck and buckled my seatbelt. He set my backpack between my feet and closed the door.

“I’m taking you home.” He climbed in the truck and slammed the door.

“I told you I was going to spend a few days at Emily’s.”

He turned to look at me, and for the first time, I noticed how disheveled he appeared. “No, you didn’ttellme that. You left a note.”

I flinched from the bite in his tone. His face softened almost instantly, and he reached over and patted my leg. “I’m sorry, Dallas. I’m not upset with you, baby.”

I didn’t know what to say, so I turned and looked out the window. I tried my best not to cry, but hot tears rolled down my face.

He sighed and put the truck in gear.

I hated the way things had been between us today. Weneverhad arguments or used harsh words with each other. So why couldn’t I just tell him how I was feeling?

Chapter 3

Pike

I was mad, but I wasn’t mad at Dallas. I was mad at me. I wanted to do what was best for her, but I was a selfish bastard. I had tossed and turned most of the night while images of Dallas with someone else haunted me. I’d finally texted Emily at 3:00 a.m. She was a sweetheart who agreed Dallas and I needed to talk some stuff out. I appreciated that she’d let me in; the poor girl was so jumpy.

I pulled out of the complex and started the journey home. I thought about what I wanted to say to Dallas. It was so hard to know where to start.

I reached over and took her hand in mine. Her quiet crying made me feel like an even bigger asshole.

“Please don’t cry, Bitty. It breaks my heart.”

She used her free hand to wipe her face.

“I’m sorry I upset you when I asked about your date.”

She nodded her head but remained quiet.