I was reading the same sentence for the fifth time when the phone started skittering on the wooded surface. Instead of taking it, like a complete asshole, I got out of bed and ignored it. I listened to the phone vibrating as I slowly turned off my e-reader, then walked to the bathroom and wrapped my locs. I let myself feel the craving to see him, the butterflies in my stomach when the phone stopped buzzing. I thought about Easton sitting there confused, wondering why I’d told him to call just so I could ignore his call, and hated myself a little.

Mind games, fuckboy shit...and why? Because I knew the moment I grabbed that phone it was all over.

After I took my time with my locs and brushing my teeth, I walked back to the bedroom and picked up the phone as I got back in bed. When I touched the screen I saw he left a message to call when I was ready. Just like that. The tightness I’d been feeling all day started to loosen as I tapped my phone to call him back.

Inevitable.

I held the screen up to my face and waited, after only a few rings Easton’s face filled it. His expression a mirror image of mine. Head propped on a pillow, his bare neck and chest visible on the screen.

He looked tired and so fucking beautiful, and the smile he gave me felt like what I’d been needing all day.

“Hey.”

I smiled back and greeted him. “Hey yourself, long day?”

He lifted a shoulder before answering, the weariness obvious in his expression. “It wasn’t particularly longer than any other day. We’re preparing for that case of the community college student who was assaulted by a classmate last year.”

I grimaced, remembering I’d seen the story about the upcoming trial a few days ago. “That must be intense.”

He nodded and ran his hand over his hair. When he did, I could see the little mole right below his hairline. It was funny, my friends always teased me about how casual, almost dismissive I was with the people I dated. Not really paying attention to details, but with Easton, I’d memorized every centimeter of his body. Each freckle and scar seared in my mind forever.

After a moment he answered with a tired smile still on his lips. “Yeah, gearing up for a trial is always kind of grueling, but we have it mostly under control.” I could tell he wasn’t up to talking about his job anymore. Easton did not like talking about his stress, or troubles. He didn’t like talking about himself too much either.

Sunny, all the time.

It stung that I was yet one more person in his life he felt needed that from him.