Page 111 of Unstable

Inside now, he moves in closer, eliminating any room between our bodies. “That’s right, didn’t think about that. But now that I have, add this to your list for damn sure. At the top, in all capitals. The roof of our new home is much higher off the ground than here, and if you even think about going out on it, I will tan that ass ‘til you can’t sit down. I’m not kidding, Henley Gene. Do. Not. Do. It.” His eyes are a stormy, dark blue, holding mine captive. “Promise me, right now.”

“I promise. Feet on the ground, got it. Your roof is high as hell, it’s not like I’m a daredevil. Sheesh.” I turn to head downstairs and for some reason, even though I clearly agreed with him, I still get a swift swat on the ass.

There’s just no pleasing him.

THE NEXT MORNING WHEN I wake up, Keaton’s spot is cold, but there’s a note on the pillow.

‘Had some errands to run, didn’t want to wake you. Be back soon. Love you, K’

I climb out of bed and head toward the kitchen…and stop, a piercing ache swelling up in my chest.

Bourbon doesn’t need his pill this morning. Or ever again.

Tears swell in my eyes and I walk quickly back in the direction from which I came, away from my painful oversight. I keep my shower brief and get dressed even faster, then hurry to the Gator.

And within minutes, find myself at a scene becoming way too familiar.

Me and a fresh mound of dirt.

Beneath it, a shell that once held a precious soul I loved. Gone.

“Hey boy,” it comes out croaky, “just wanted to check out the job Keaton did. Looks like he got it done right. You know, Bourbon,” I sit down, “I was wondering why I haven’t been back to their graves, but found it easy to come out here. I thought it was because with them, I still feel guilty, not taking care of one, leaving the other. But I left you too, didn’t I? And when I came back, you acted like nothing ever happened, loved me unconditionally from the moment I showed back up.”

I drop my head in my hands and force myself to say aloud, admit, the truth. “She would’ve done the same. My mom’s love was just like yours, absolute, no matter what. God, I was such a fool.”

I’m still just sitting there, out of words, filled with thoughts, when Keaton pulls up in his truck.

“Thought I’d find you here. You alright?” He saunters over, his tone vacant—as if he’s gauging my mood before he picks his own.

“Yeah, I’m fine. I was just about to check on the horses, actually.” I stand, brushing the dirt off my pants.

“Already taken care of, cows too.” He smiles.

“Those were your errands?” I ask with narrowed eyes. Very odd choice of words he’d used for chores.

“No,” he looks at the ground, then realizes his mistake and quickly recovers, gazing at me…but not fast enough.

“What aren’t you telling me, Cash?” I cock my head, an upward lift to one brow.

“We can talk about it later. You take your time here, I just wanted to check on ya.”

“Already told you, I was about to leave. And chores are done, thank you by the way, so my schedule is wide open to discuss whatever secrets ya got eatin’ ya alive.” I step up to him, running my hand down his arm. “Spill it.”

“I…um,” he rubs the back of his neck, “got that appointment made for ya, with a female doctor outside of town. For…you know…” he stammers, unconsciously revealing an unsurety I didn’t even know he was capable of—telling me, again, that he’s not telling me everything.

Turnabout is fair play though, and fun, so I full-out press him.

“You made a doctor’s appointment for me? And they let you?”

“Yep. Said I was your husband, knew all your info, piece of cake,” his voice gains confidence, but his eyes turn a guilty shade of indigo and won’t directly meet mine.

“And you drove all the way there to make an appointment? Couldn’t you just call?”

“Uh…yeah…no, I called.”

Caught in another one of my effortless traps.

“Okay,” I drawl out the word, circling him, trailing a fingertip over his body as I do so. Kinda like a spider, twirling a web around him before I lay in with the fatal bite. “So that was a simple phone call, that I should’ve been the one to make, but I’m gonna let it slide. Because I’m more interested in the errands that required you leaving, driving somewhere. The secrets you’re not telling me that have you fidgeting like a junkie needing a fix.”

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