Under Locke

Actions held the power of a choir versus the strength of a solitary singer.

minute you're kind of a fucking jerk—," did I just drop the f-bomb again? Why, yes, yes, I had. "Then the next minute you’re carrying me to my room and sharing your secret stash of bread with me. It doesn't make sense,” I said honestly. "I don't want to look at you because you hurt my feelings, okay? I don't know what to think."

Dex, Ris, and Baby Locke, you done?”

I already told you I keep what’s mine.

“Dex,” I exhaled his name.

He nipped my ear again. “I love you, Ritz.”

Babe, you got me as much as I got you, and that shit’s not changin’, you understand? Not today, tomorrow, not ever.

I squeezed my arms around the warmth cage of his ribs and mouthed the words I wouldn’t let out of my mouth into his shirt.

Three little words that held all the power in the world

Let me get out from the stairs,” I told him, tipping my head in the direction where I’d come from.

Dex frowned. “Just get out from here.”

“I can’t really...” I sighed, thinking of the hundreds of times I’d gotten out at the YMCA. “Because of my arm.”

The frown that had been on his face was wiped clean off. Dex got into a crouch, slipping his hands under my arm pits. “I’ve got you, babe.”

And here you are. Life bein’ unfair and all. I respect you, babe. Not just because you break my goddamn heart every single fuckin’ time I see you smile but because...” He blew out a long breath of air from his lips, blinking blue eyes again and again and again. “I just do. You got me?”

I’ll put you on the insurance plan first chance I get tomorrow. It ain’t that great but I’ll see if I can get you a better policy. You know, in case...”