Fool for Love (Believe #2) by Karen Ferry Page A

need your phone number.”
    I frown. “Why?”
    “Because we’re living together, and if we need to get a hold of each other, it’s easier to do if I have your number. No more notes.” His stare is fixed on me, and there’s a stubborn set to his mouth.
    I nod once and shrug lightly. “I guess it makes sense. Do you have your mobile on you?”
    He takes it out of his back pocket, and I rattle off my number. He presses a few keys before swiping the screen.
    “I just sent you a text so you have mine.”
    “Great.” I yawn loudly and quickly cover my mouth.
    Garrett’s lips twitch into a crooked half-smile, and my heart skips a beat.
    Dang it.
    “Goodnight,” he whispers. I smile quickly and turn my back on him.
    As I get under the covers, my smile returns when I hear him call Rufus to him. I glance surreptitiously at him, and my heart melts when I find him standing up, Rufus on his hind legs and Garrett holding onto the front paws planted on his chest. It kind of looks like a man hug – just with a man and a dog instead.
    “What did I tell you about the furniture?” Garrett mumbles, but Rufus’ tail only increases in speed. “You’re impossible.” He shakes his head but grins as he does it, eyes crinkling at the corners. This is just too freaking much for me.
    Garrett quickly kisses Rufus on the head before releasing him, and my heart drops to my feet when his eyes meet mine. I look down quickly and turn on my side, my back to him. I hope like hell that he can’t hear the way my heart is racing away just now. Realistically, I know that he can’t, because of the distance between us, but it beats so loudly, I’m not entirely sure. My ears pick up on his feet walking away from me, and I sigh as quietly as possible.
    Damn you, Garrett. Why did you have to show me that you have a heart?
     

     
    Thunder followed by manic barking wakes me up with a fright. I jump when lightening and another loud boom catches my eyes and ears, and I shiver as I look to the floor-to-ceiling windows to my right. Rain pelts down, and I rub my chilled arms.
    Rufus’ barking grabs my attention, and I try to find him and Garrett in the dark.
    “Garrett?” I call out, but he doesn’t answer me. Instead, a large shadow rushes towards me, whining madly. My breath leaves me when Rufus bolts up in my bed, one of his paws pushing my chest. I fall backwards and the frantic dog follows me and lies down next to me, as close as he can get.
    “Oh, poor baby,” I croon when I can feel him shivering. His cold nose butts my neck, and I wrap my arm around him. He presses his face closer, and I sigh.
    “Alright, but it’s just for tonight, do you hear me?”
    He whines, and his smelly dog breath reaches my nose, so I turn my face away.
    “Phew! That’s just nasty, Rufus,” I scold him and yawn. “We need to find you some breath mints or something,” I mumble, already halfway off to sleep.
    My last conscious thought before I drift off to sleep is, I wonder where Garrett is?

 
    I DIDN’T TELL S UZY that I had to leave because it’s not her business what I do at night, but I didn’t want to answer the questions she would undoubtedly ask, either.
    I’m bone tired, but I need to see Rowan – the son of a bitch.
    I love my cousin, I do, just not the stuff he continues to poison his body with.
    It makes me sick to see him like this, but I have to try to make him see reason. I have to get him some help.
    The path he’s on is slowly suffocating him, and he’s too young to waste his life away.
    I should know. I’ve been on that same path until three months ago; and while every day is still a struggle, I know that I made the right choice.
    So here I am, back at The Vault , waiting for him to come out of his office, and praying that he’ll relent this time.
    I’m nursing a neat whiskey as I sit at the bar, noticing the clientele is the same as always. It’s the same men and women who frequent the establishment several times a week, like