Page 28 (1/1)

He was gone froot myself into the car and buckled in I couldn’t breathe I couldn’t see straight I sure as hell couldn’t drive, so I sat there in front of his house for a solid twenty et ing for forgiveness because there was no hiding the faults in the dark He had already seen them all and he kissed me anyways Because I wanted hi hands, I started the car and ed to send the ordered text e to let him knoas safe and sound He sent back a sier than I’d like to admit Rowdy often texted to check up on me and to make sure I hadn’t retreated back into the void, but I’d never had a man whose lips had touched mine, who told me he saw me and was ready for me, bother to keep tabs on me In fact, it was usually thefro with Wheeler was so new, and thater touched her na and I wasn’t surprised that she sounded overjoyed to hear froer over the last few years, but each day I got closer to closing that gap I’d allowed the e between us At the ti me from the person that loved me the most was a way for them to maintain control but I saw it so clearly now

After returning her greeting, I blurted out, "I asked Wheeler to kiss asped and I heard so clatter I realized it was the phone a second later as she screamed, "Oh my God," but the sound wasfrouy who just canceled his wedding to a raging she-beast?"

Her voice was shrill, so I had to hold the phone away from my ear "Um … yeah"

She let out a breath and I could picture her chewing on her lip and pacing in circles as she continued to fire off questions "When did you start seeing hi on? Are you ready to date? You know he has a baby on the ith his ex, right?" She took a breath and let it out slowly "Are you okay?"

I shook my arms free froht was the kind of night thatthat had the ability to loweran easy targetthatin for the kill easier I threw ly popcorn ceiling

"I’ when giving up felt a hed and her voice was breathless with so time … hope "You wanted him to kiss you?"

Grouchily I snapped, "Yes That’s why I feel like I’ to do with anyone in uy I find myself attracted to is in thefatherhood When ahed a little, which made me even more annoyed "I don’t see what’s funny about this situation, Salem"

She paused and when she spoke her voice was thick with e so I don’t cry" She exhaled heavily and I was the one fighting back tears when she told led up with a guy I always felt like you didn’t truston in your love life because I left I let you down and you couldn’t let ht now, but honestly I’ve been waiting for this phone call since I was eighteen and put Texas in my rearview mirror I missed so much, Poppy You have no idea what itthis to hter could hide the fact that she was crying uncontrollably She was pregnant but her words made me doubt hormones were the sole reason behind her outburst

I sniffled a little and used the tips of ed to escape the prison oflike anyone I’ve ever known"

Shenoise and there was a shed "It scaresbefore"

She snorted and her tone was sharp when she toldto what so it to do This is the first time it’s been able to speak for itself Listen to it, little sister"

"I’ht have to say, Salem" My voice shook and so did e is important, Poppy"

There wasn’t ood-bye, proet together, and hung up

She was right that the ht be iht place to hear it

Wheeler

I stayed up with Happy all through the night I didn’t take my eyes off him for a second, a task that waste so close yet just out of reach I was pissed at ot so distracted by her pillowy lips and intoxicating flavor that I forgot about Happy and his penchant for getting into things I wanted to be the guy that could do it all, juggle all the balls: run a business, roood dad and a supportive coparent, but every time I took my eyes off one ball, they all see because there wasn’t a single ball that I was ready to let go of I needed to learn how to be a better juggler … like one that was good enough to work at a circus or entertain kids at birthday parties

After spending the night with Happy curled up athis puppy dreams, which made his tiny paws kick, I knew that he orth every headache he was inevitably going to cause and every hour of lost sleep that was going tocute and cuddly that I didn’tempty for once There were honestly no words to describe how relieved I was that he didn’t sees he wasn’t supposed to the night before