Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 99921 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99921 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
Mom reached out and rested her hand on my forearm. “I know it’s scary, but you can’t let things from your past keep you from having a future.”
“I’m not scared. I’m doing Josie a favor. I helped her with some work around the house. She took that as meaning more than it did.”
Opal rolled her eyes. “She wasn’t seeing things that weren’t there. She was seeing what was written all over your face. We all saw it. You’re head over heels for that woman. You have been since the first moment you set eyes on her.”
I scoffed. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I saw you smile, Fox. Not the evil one you flash when an owner thinks they can stiff you and get away with it, but really smile, the kind that starts on the inside and spreads to the outside, making your whole face light up.”
“I think you need glasses.”
She shook her head. “I’ve always admired your smarts. But right now you’re being a dumbass.”
I needed to move. This town had too many people in your business, and everyone knew where you lived to drop by and share their opinions. I had no doubt Porter, Rita, Frannie, Bernadette and Bettina—and everyone else in Opal’s speed dial—would be by soon enough. I was definitely disconnecting the doorbell as soon as I got them out the door.
I huffed. “Are we done?”
My mom looked disappointed, but she nodded. A few minutes later, I walked them to the door. Opal walked out first, but Mom lagged behind.
Again she kissed my cheek. “I hope you come around. Because that lady next door is something special. But if you don’t, you at least owe her some closure. Have a conversation and set her free. You aren’t the only one who fell hard.”
Her words hit like a punch to the gut. But she was right, so I nodded. “Alright, Mom.”
***
Thursday morning—at least I thought it was Thursday—I woke at the ass crack of dawn, still buzzing from the night before, my feet hanging off the couch I didn’t fit on. I looked around in the dark, trying to figure out what the hell that pungent smell was. Then I lifted my arm and sniffed my pit. Damn, it’s me.
Forcing my dragging ass up, I stopped in the kitchen for some breakfast of champions—three Motrin and a palm full of tap water cupped in my hand from the sink. I debated whether I should wait until my head stopped pounding to shower, but I was pretty sure that’s what I’d done yesterday and never made it. So I sucked it up and headed upstairs.
Warm water sluiced over my slumping shoulders. What normally felt good was like needles pricking my skin today. Everything ached—my head, my shoulders, my neck. Though the biggest ache came from inside my chest. It fucking hurt, felt like an elephant had parked his fat ass on my ribs for a few days. But I deserved it.
By the time I washed the stink off of me, the sun was up. An annoying ray streaked through the blinds and cut a rude path across my bleary eyes. I squinted and reached for the wooden slats. Before I could flatten the offending pieces, I saw her. It took my damn breath away. Josie walked into the yard, carrying her duck in her arms. She set it down on the grass and took a few steps back. But the thing ran right to her, nuzzling against her legs. Yeah, I know, buddy.
She bent to scratch its head and smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. It made me feel like someone had shot a dart and pierced right into my heart. I stayed there watching her on the sly for another ten minutes, feeling like I deserved every ounce of the pain it caused, until she finally scooped up the duck and went back inside.
My mother was right about one thing—Josie deserved better than I’d given her. So it was time I manned up and had a conversation. The sooner she moved on, the better for both of us.
Twenty minutes later, I stood outside her front door. My palms were sweaty, and I debated turning around and having a shot or two before knocking. Before I could shit or get off the pot, the door swung open.
Josie jumped back. “Shit. I didn’t expect anyone to be there.”
“Sorry.”
She wasn’t smiling, but I saw something spark in her eyes. I thought it might be hope. “How are you?”
“Okay. We need to talk.”
Her eyes met mine. She was on guard, but seemed to soften. I hated that she trusted me so easily. “Sure.” Josie stepped aside.
The duck was now perched on its dog bed once again, watching TV. I lifted my chin, gesturing that way. “You found him.”
She smiled. “Her. And she found me. The other morning she just showed up at my front door.”