Page 97 of Rough and Rugged

Tony says, “Cool, but ditch Sophie first.”

“I get it!” I don’t get Monica unless I can convince Sophie to stay away.

I flip them all off and open the door to my past. “Talk.”

“Oh, aren’t we authoritative?” She grins. “I like it.” Then she licks her lips.

I cross my arms and lean against the wall. “Talk.”

“You were rescued with her. What were you doing—” I put up a finger, I won’t discuss Monica.

I crouch down so she sees my eyes. “You’re here because of misplaced jealousy for a toy you never loved and someone else has now. Leave.” She shrugs as if she knows I finally have called her bluff. “There’s nothing here. There never was, Soph.” She nods.

I step out of her path. She says, “When you were crouching, I saw your balls. You’ll call.” Smug and completely misguided.

“Yeah. And here are the metaphorical ones. Get the fuck out of my life, my family’s life and, for good measure, get the fuck out of Boston. You don’t even live here. Get a new hobby. Better yet, go be happy and stop making us both miserable.”

She holds the door frame longer than she should. I see the woman I used to know but I feel nothing for her. She lowers her head after a minute of our forced silence. Her voice is sincere for maybe the first time ever. “Christ, you’re right. I don’t know what I’m doing. I won’t bother you again,” she says.

I cock my head. “Promise?”

“I need someone but it’s probably not you.”

“You think?”

She laughs, “Yeah. Ok. So, here’s to not seeing you around.” She raises her hand. I nod.

“Good.”

Now, it’s time to find pants and Monica.

Chapter Twelve

Monica

SixWeeksLater

The boot is rank but will be gone this week. Hayden told him where I am and Dax tried to see me and I hid in the closet when he stopped by. I texted I needed space and then blocked him. I don’t need the details of the Sophie reunion or how much I mean to him as a friend. If I saw him, I’d probably blurt out, ‘I love you.’ That would be embarrassing. Not more than climaxing in front of a rescue team, but it’s up there.

Then three weeks ago letters started arriving and I left them in a basket in the kitchen. My nosy niece keeps threatening to open them. I only wish my feelings for Dax were smaller.

It’s hard every day, not gonna lie. My niece runs in from after school, and I’m sitting at the kitchen island scrolling. She waves a blue envelope at me with his perfect handwriting.

“This one has a message on the back. I read it because it’s public. But you should see it.” She shoves it in my face.

Open this one you stubborn, rugged, brawny lass. Please.

He knew I wasn’t reading. She hands me a thick mailer too, and I tear it open to see if he’s been brave enough to recreate. There’s a Post-It on the first page.

I thought I was writing about a lost man and his challenges. But it turns out I was writing a romance the whole time.

I flip it open to the first page.

For M - I’d burn it all for you. Wish we could Keep Rugged close.

I wipe the tears sliding down my face. My niece puts one hand on her hip and outstretches the other one with the unopened stack of letters.

“How are you wiser than me?”

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