page29 (2/2)

I know it sounds hokey, but I felt it Down in h my core An intense connection with Vale that I'm not even sure I felt with my parents, as much as I love them

Sadly, I don't feel it now, not the way I did before I feel a fluttering, or perhaps it's a reawakening, and itterm

For the ioing

Releasing her frorab her hand and turn to lead her toward the bathrooether I don't know about you, but I feel like I've been run over by a Mack truck"

Vale halts, pulls her hand against h to et back home to my dad"

"Yeah, not going to happen," I say, and turn toward the bathrooain

This ti a furious tirade over h-handed ways, but damnI was always like that with Vale She should remember that, and as much as she likes to bitch about it, I also know she loved it

Instead, she chews on her lower lip, absolute indecision causing her brow to furrow deep "I think it's best if I just get home I'm worried about Dad--"

"Cut the shit, Vale," I tell her with a censuring look but an affable smile "No more secrets No more lies It's all out on the table nohich means noe deal with it"

"Deal with it how?" she asks with frustration "You've had seven years of bitterness toward uilt on my shoulders and we haven't even--"

She stops cold, eyes dropping to the floor

"Haven't even what?" I ask her softly as I step up to her The knuckle onher face She looks at me with a swift smile and shakes her head

"Nothing," she says in an acco smile "It's all out on the table

I'm justnot sure hoe process this What we do"

"What we do?" I ask her with ive her an iet in the bathtub and we relax a bit But because you'll be naked, and in ain, and so we'll fuck in the tub Preferably with you riding me"

Vale cocks a gorgeously arched eyebrow at me and folds her arms over her chest "So sex will solve all our problems?"

"It darin

She rolls her eyes at rab her jeans off the floor I' at her before she can even think to put one foot in therab them from her, toss them across the room, and spin her in my arms I let ainst hers "Listen, I understand nohy you did what you did I hate we lost those years Hate you've been under this guilt I don't know exactly where we go froo And that's backward We don't go back to the anger We don't go back to the grief And we sure as shit don't go back to just being friends"

Her eyes are filled with indecision, and I see an intense worry lurking deep within I can al in that brain of hers, trying to figure out so, but perhaps too mired in the thickness of her wounded conscience to see what's standing just a few feet in front of her

"Vale," I say softly to get her attention Toready to say "I understand why you did that toet itI really do It's done and we can stop playing the blaame, okay?"

"So we just start over?" she asks hesitantly

My nitude I step back frohtly to clear my throat, I extend my arm, palm sideways, and say, "Hi My name is Hawke Nice to meet you"

Vale purses her lips, letting me know she thinks I'aze She takes ives me a firm handshake "I'm Vale It's nice to meet you too"