Page 73 of I Wanna Be Your Lager

I miss you. I wish you were still here.

Lach

Same, Sunflower.

I’m going to grip the tiny thread of hope with all my might because that’s all I have right now. He’s all I have right now.

THIRTY-SIX

ISN’T LIFE GRAND?

Lach

I crack an eye open to find little, bright hazel eyes staring at me from inches away.

She squints. “You snore.”

“Abby! Leave Lach alone. He’s trying to sleep,” Rylee yells down the stairs that lead to the basement where I’m currently lying on the couch.

Abby twists to face the stairs. “But he’s awake!”

“Probably because you woke him up!” Rylee volleys back.

I stretch my legs on the leather couch and rub the sleep from my eyes. “It’s okay. I’m awake.”

“See?” Abby turns to face Rylee as she comes down the stairs, her other daughter in her arms.

“I’m sorry, Lach. I hope she didn’t wake you.”

Abby scrunches her nose, pointing to my cheek. “What’s wrong with your face?”

“Abby!” Rylee scolds.

“What?” Abby whines.

“Go upstairs and finish your breakfast.” Rylee points to the stairs.

Abby huffs before climbing to her feet. “Fine.” She runs off, stomping up the stairs. If anyone else in the house was sleeping, they’re awake now.

“Sorry about that. She’s more and more like Trey every day. You’d think she was his biological daughter.” Kaelyn wiggles in her arms, but Rylee keeps her wrangled like a champion cowgirl.

“It’s fine. She’s kind of charming.”

“She’s going to be the death of me or especially Trey when she gets older.” Rylee laughs and shakes her head. “Can I get you anything? Ibuprofen? Ice pack?”

“Nah. I’m okay.” I scrub my hands down my face, being gentle with the mangled side. I make a running tally of everything I need to do today. Mostly, get my shit from Jake’s.

“You’re welcome to stay here as long as you need. I know it’s not the most luxurious accommodations, and you’ll probably have a seven-year-old waking you up every morning, but don’t feel obligated to leave right away.”

I stifle a yawn as I rise to the sitting position. “Thanks. I do have to get my stuff from Jake’s. That’s my first priority.”

“I know he’ll be at the bar most of the afternoon. I’ll tell Trey to make room in the garage if you need it.”

“Lucky for you, the fire destroyed most of my belongings, so I only have a couple of suitcases and a few of boxes.” And that’s another thing to add to my ever-growing to-do list. I need my own place. Then I need to furnish it while also tiptoeing on eggshells to see if I’ll still have a job once the dust settles.

“You know Jake will come around. He’s just… He’s hurt.” She shrugs.

“Yeah. I’d like to think so, anyway.” A part of me is relieved that Jake knows. We don’t have to keep our relationship a secret anymore. It would have been better if he didn’t find out the way he did. Truth be told, I have no one to blame but myself. I had weeks to come clean and tell him. Instead, I chickened out.Mostly because how do you tell your best friend you’re falling for his sister? There’s no how-to guide for that. Instead, I took a fist to the face, and now I’m couch surfing. Fuck. Isn’t life grand?

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