39

ROME

She loves me.

And I just sat there and did nothing. I wished I could turn back the time, grab her head, kiss her so hard and tell her I loved her more than I had shown her.

We landed earlier, and I couldn’t get a hold of Carly— I already missed her.

Zee drove me to Mom’s house, and I knew we were all tired. Linden and the other guys went home.

“Go home, Zee. Take a day or two off.”

“You need a bodyguard, Rome.”

“I’ll call Cade. Go and see Heera. I’m sure she’s waiting for you.”

He nodded. “But if you need me, I’ll be there ASAP.”

“Okay.”

Mom surprised me in her living room. “What are you doing here, Rome?”

“I missed you, too.” I opened my arms to give her a hug.

“Oh, my boy. I think you are getting taller than the last I saw you.”

I laughed. “Yeah, it was two weeks ago. Next week, my head will reach the roof.”

“You just landed?” She saw my suitcase on the floor. It had been a while since I came home. It just, I saw Dad in every corner of this house, and it fucking