Page 21 of Hooves & HeartStrings

Finally, he finishes, and I open my eyes to see my new ink reflected in the mirror before me. A smile spreads across my face as I take in the design.

“It’s perfect.”

eleven

The whole drive back home, all I can think about is how stupid I’ve been. My pride was hurt and I made quick and irrational choices. Here I’ve been wallowing in my own self-pity when my mate has been back in Coral Springs, thinking I hate her and I’m gone forever.

She loves me. She really loves me. The sound of her voice saying those words echo in my head over and over. I need to hear her say it in person. I need to tell her the same thing to her face.

I love Marley. And I’m done being an idiot. I can’t believe I’m actually going to turn down that internship, but my mate comes first. I just hope she's still going to want me when I go back.

“Luci, sweetheart, is that you?” Mom calls as I step through the front door.

“Yeah,” I answer back, finding her in the kitchen. “Smells amazing.”

“Thanks.” She shoots me a beaming smile over her shoulder. “I made your favorite. Thought it would cheer you up.”

“Homemade lasagna,” I groan as I peek over her shoulder to see the cheesy goodness. “Man, I’ve missed this. And your cooking. I love Uncle John, but he’s not the best cook.”

“He certainly is not.” She laughs. “But he tries.”

“Guess I should enjoy this while I can, seeing how my next meal made by you won’t be until Thanksgiving. Any chance you would be willing to drive to Coral Springs sometime and bring me something? I’d love you forever if you did.”

I kiss her on the cheek before taking a seat at the table.

“Coral Springs?” she asks as she turns around and leans back against the counter. “So, you’ve made your decision?” She gives me a soft, approving smile.

I nod. “My friends helped me see how stupid I was being.” I sigh as she turns around and places a slice onto my plate. “I’m man enough to admit I overreacted.”

“No you didn’t, sweetie,” she tells me, placing the plate in front of me. Steam rolls off the lasagna in waves, the smell hitting my nose, and making my stomach growl. “You had every right to be hurt by the things her friends said, as well as how she referred to your relationship. But, I do think you should have stayed and had a conversation with her. A lot of this could have been cleared up by being open and honest about things. I know you kids these days are too cool to show your feelings.” She rolls her eyes and I grin. “But trust me, it’s what needs to be done.”

“I know that now,” I tell her. “I listened to some voicemails I’ve been avoiding and well, yeah, pretty much confirmed if I just talked to her, things would be different right now.”

“Have you called or texted her back yet?”

I shake my head. “No. What I want to say needs to be said in person. That is if she’s even going to be willing to talk to me.”

Fear that I’ve fucked everything up hits me.

“Then make her.” Mom shrugs.

“Make her?” I raise a brow. “How?”

“Do what I did,” my dad says as he enters the kitchen. His massive form fills up most of the room. I don’t miss the adoring smile he gives Mom. That. That's what I want. That's what I think I felt with Marley. At least I know I could have that with her if we just tried.

“And what did you do?” I ask him.

He shoots me a boyish grin, one I don’t think I’ve ever seen on him before. He’s normally so serious.

“I didn’t give her the chance to say no.”

“What?”

“He stalked me.” Mom giggles and I gape at her.

“I’m sorry, what?” I blink at them, shocked.

“It wasn’t stalking,” Dad huffs. “I was just very determined. I wore her down until she gave me a chance.”

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