Chapter 30 – Josie
Chapter Thirty
JOSIE
“Hmm.” I sigh happily, cuddling deeper with Bam. My body has a yummy ache to it. I didn’t know pain in your body could be oddly sweet. Last night with Bam was beyond anything I could have imagined.
When I open my eyes, all I see is bare skin. My face is pressed into his neck, my body pasted to his side. He’s got an arm around my back, keeping me there. We fit together perfectly.
“How do you feel?” Bam asks. He’s always worried about me. That normally can be a trigger for me. People think I can’t do what others can because of my situation, but with Bam, that has melted away.
I don’t see it that way. In fact, Bam might need to get his head checked. When I talk, he stares at me like I’m the smartest person he’s ever met. As though he’s mesmerized by every word that comes out of my mouth.
He doesn’t think that I’m incapable. Bam wants to make sure I’m getting to where I’m going with as few bumps and bruises as possible.
“I feel great.” I stretch out my legs, arching my back at the same time. I let out a small groan. My body is definitely sore, but having last night with Bam was a thousand percent worth it.
“Reb—”
“It’s a good groan.” I cut him off before he can get worried. I lift my head. “How about you? I wear you out?” I give him a mischievous smirk. We went at it more times than I can count. We were both ravenous for each other.
“I’m perfect.” He smiles before pressing his mouth to mine. The kiss quickly deepens, Bam shifting to pin me under him. “We should stop. You’re sore.”
“No,” I huff, wrapping my legs around him. I’m about to be done with this battle when my phone starts to go off. Bam lifts his head, and we both know that’s my dad’s ring.
“You told him you weren’t coming home last night?” Bam asks, his expression worried. I’m not sure if it’s because I might not have told my dad I wouldn’t be home last night or that I did and he knows I’m with Bam.
“Yes, I told him. I’m eighteen,” I remind him. Dad cared more that I was safe and settled in for the night. “He’s fine with it. Told me to be safe.” I mean, how much can he really say? Plus, I think Bam is kinda growing on him. Well, as much as any man can when it comes to me.
I have been doing solo stints at home for a few years at this point. Dad had to work, and that work put him on the road. He might worry, but he also knows that, at the end of the day, I know how to take care of myself. For the most part.
The phone stops ringing but starts again. I drop my legs from around Bam’s waist.
“He’s going to hate me.”
“He does not,” I counter. Bam doesn’t appear convinced, but he grabs my phone off the nightstand.
“Do not tell him we’re naked in bed and that you took my virginity.”
I burst into laughter. “I suppose I did.”
“Or that yours is gone, too.”
“Okay, I’ll be good.”
He hands me the phone. “Yellow,” I say when I answer the call.
“Josie,” my dad sighs into the phone, and I can hear the relief.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, pushing on Bam’s chest so that I can sit up. I can tell by the tone of my dad’s voice that something isn’t right. Bam’s brows pull together in concern too.
“I woke up to the police pounding on my door.” Shit, yeah, that would freak me out too, and I’d think the worst.
“I thought you took care of those warrants.”
“Josie…”
“Okay, I’ll be serious. Why is the fuzz there?” Okay, I’ll be as serious as I can be. I make jokes when I’m nervous too. I heard that’s a thing, and if I can blame my bad traits on something I can’t control, then I’m doing just that.
“You tell me. They’re asking for you. Do I need to tell them to fuck off and call a lawyer?” That sounds like the right thing to do, but the right thing doesn’t get me information.
“No!”
“Yes.” Bam and I speak at the same time.
“Josie, are they here asking for you because of Bam?” Guess my dad’s not coming around about Bam as much as I thought. Bam’s shoulders drop a fraction. I hate that my father just assumed that.
“No, I can get into trouble all on my own, thank you very much,” I huffily tell him. “Don’t be sexist.”
“I’m not sexist. I’m a father who thinks their kid can do no wrong.”
“Oh, right.” It could be that too. Bam’s brows now rise, and his lips tug up on one side.
I want to lean over and press my mouth to his, but I don’t think Bam would be too happy about that.
Not with my dad still on the line. “This is true. I’m perfect, really.
” I get Bam’s sad smile to turn to a full-on one, just what I wanted.
“Are you in trouble?” Dad asks, probably not finding me as adorably charming as Bam here.
“Nope.” I pop my P hard. “I am the trouble.” Shit. “Sorry!” I rush to say. “It’s hard to control. But no, I’m not in trouble. Keep them there. We’re headed that way.”
“All right. Love you, sweetheart.”
“Love you too, Dad,” I tell him before ending the call.
“You should never speak to the police,” Bam tells me. I’m already getting up and dressed.
“I know, I know.” I wave it off. “But that’s not an option. If anything, I need to make friends with them.” Bam gets up, pulling on a long-sleeved shirt, covering his tattoos.
“I don’t like it.” Bam runs his fingers through his short hair before giving it a small tug, frustrated.
“I really haven’t done anything and—”
“A lot of people didn’t do shit wrong, and they still got arrested.”
“I don’t think the cops are going to believe that I killed Cole, or if they’re on to all the other boys missing, them either.” I pull my sneakers on. “You think maybe you shouldn’t go?”
“Oh, I’m coming, Rebel. I’m your shadow until this is all said and done.”
“Don’t threaten me with a good time.” I wiggle my brows at him. He fights a laugh, but I know I have amused him. Hopefully that makes him relax, but not likely.