Fifty One

Lenora

CJ adjusted the rearview mirror, pretending to act normal, but he avoided eye contact with me, sweating profusely with his body shaking like a thunder-stricken tree.

Fear knotted inside of me making my stomach roll. Tired of waiting for him to speak, I bombarded him with questions.

"What in heaven's name are you hiding, CJ? Talk to me. Did someone die?"

He flinched, his hands twisting nervously around his phone. "No, baby," he said, and his voice drifted into a hushed whisper as he rubbed my palm with his thumb.

I pulled my hand away when my phone vibrated against my thigh

but when I was about to pick it up, CJ snatched it from me, tucking it in his pocket.

"Y-you can't see that."

Startled, my mouth fell open and CJ looked at me like a bird that had been shot. Suddenly, the air seemed unbearably hot with heat sticking to my skin and my heart thumped painfully.

"Can I have my phone back?" I composed myself, mustering strength to be as gentle as possible.

"No, baby. You need t