Page 106 of Unstable

I can read him like a book, written in Chinese, and know exactly what he’s doing.

He’s going to hide while he makes phone calls, to every home renovator he can find. Hiring the one with the soonest opening before he walks back out here.

But enough’s enough, I’d had my fun. I don’t want him spending a small fortune gutting his whole house, so I get up and go knock on the men’s bathroom door.

“Keaton?” I quietly call through it.

“Uh…be right out.”

“Babe, I was kidding. Just the furniture used as props has to go. Don’t schedule a remodeling crew. I’m fine, promise.”

He opens the door, grabs both my cheeks and lays a warm, torrid kiss on me. “All taken care of. What’d I tell ya? You want it fixed, it’ll be fixed. But,” he holds up a finger, “we don’t talk about it out loud ever again. Only you. Only one I wanna think or talk about and only woman I’ve ever loved. Deal?”

“Keaton, we move soon. Are we gonna have a bathtub or anywhere to sit?”

“What’d I just say? No talking about it, and taken care of. Damn, but you don’t listen.” He shakes his head.

“Thank you.” I place both hands on his chest and smile up at him. “It actually does mean a lot and I appreciate it. Love you.”

“Love you more, baby. Now let’s go sign some papers and keep moving forward.”

Lord knows what strings he just pulled and how much work will still be getting done when I move in, but I love him for it.

By the time we walk back in the lobby, the receptionist is waiting to show us to Mr. Boles’ office.

As promised, everything’s ready, and we’re in and out in ten minutes—me being the one to write him a check for his fee this time.

“You wanna stop and have lunch?” Keaton asks when we’re back in the truck.

“Where?” My pitch skyrockets into a hemisphere of nasally fear.

“At the diner,” he laughs. “You know of any other place to eat nearby that I’m not aware of?”

No, which is why my voice just sounded like a really scared cheerleader.

“Keaton, you know I can’t go in there! Especially at prime time, lunch hour. The whole town will be inside, waiting to either scowl at, scrutinize, or whisper about me. Thanks, but I’d rather starve.” I cross my arms, angry he’d even suggest such lunacy.

He pulls into the parking lot anyway and throws the truck in park, turning in his seat to look straight at me.

“Henley Gene Calvert, soon to be Cash,” he speaks sternly, “who’s your man?”

I roll my eyes and huff. “Seriously, can’t we wait until we get home for me to stroke your ego?”

“No, we’ll be too busy with me tanning that ass. Now answer me, or I’ll do it right here in broad daylight for all of Ashfall to see. That they might whisper about.”

“You know who my man is, although he’s pushing his luck at the moment,” I snap at him. “This isn’t cute. Take us home, I mean it.”

“Hear me real clear on this, baby. We have a home in Ashfall, and one day, our kids will go to school and church here. They’ll have friends. You have got to learn how to interact again. And as your man, I’m gonna help you with that. Show you that you can go into town any damn time you want with no trouble. Know how?”

“Hmmm…” I mockingly tap my chin. “By bullying me into going places that make me uncomfortable?”

“Not bullying, but pushing harder, yes. Now we’re gonna go in that diner with you holding my hand and your head high. If a single soul gives you one ounce of trouble, I don’t care if they’re eighteen or eighty, I will stop their shit fucking cold. No one will mess with you, but if they do, I can guarantee it won’t be for more than five seconds.”

“Why even go in if you’re expecting trouble?”

He rubs my shoulder and gentles his voice. “I’m not expecting trouble, just reassuring you that if there is any, I’ll take care of it. Henny, I have faith in the people of Ashfall. Well, most of them. And you’re painting an unfair picture of them based on where your mind was at all those years ago, and one douchebag with a couple conspiring bitches. You’d find a few rotten apples in any town in the world. You need to give this place another chance. Please. One more chance.”

“One.” I hold up a single finger. “And if you’re wrong, I’m tanning your ass when we get home.”

“Deal.” He gives me a quick kiss. “Now out you go, I’m starving.”

“Maybe I’ll find myself a new man while we’re in here,” I grouch.

“That’d definitely get ya the trouble you’re looking for,” he laughs.

I slam my door with a grumble. Drives me insane…Keaton Fucking Cash.

---