Page 69 of Genesis

“Love you Ma.”

I head out of the dining room, walking past the boys. “Y’all can stay in my room if you’d like. I’ll be gone for the night.”

“Where are you going?” Johnny asks.

“Gotta fix things with Bexley. I fucking forgot I told her I’d stop by her uncle’s for Christmas.”

“She’ll be good and pissed,” Johnny throws back.

“It’ll make for some good sex,” Carson says.

I kick his leg. “Shut the fuck up.”

“I’ll talk to y’all tomorrow. Give me a ring if anything comes up.”

“Will do,” Johnny says.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Danny

2003

Ships from the river moan in the not so far distance as I jump into my Monte Carlo. Bexley is not at a friend’s house. She’s at the lake house. Putting my foot on the clutch, I start the car and pull away from the curb. I pop my thumb knuckle as I drive away from the neighborhood, looking to my left when I see Officer Radcliff sitting in his car eating a fucking donut.

He doesn’t know I got a new ride, so he has no idea it’s me, thankfully. I know he’d pull me over and ask a thousand questions about the bar we set fire to only an hour ago. I shift into third gear when I make it to the highway, hurrying so I can get closer to the girl I love.

I don’t give a shit what everyone says. We’re meant to be together, and now I feel like I’ve got to reassure her because I fucked up again. The thought of her waiting for me all day has me grabbing my smokes and twisting my hand on the wheel.

Minutes later, I’m pulling down the moonlit driveway, and that’s when her car comes into view. I exhale relief.

Sheishere.

Parking the car, I yank the emergency brake up and hop out, tossing my smoke. I hit the front porch steps, walking right in because the door isn’t locked. I never gave her a key, but she’s seen me grab one from under the dead plant.

“Bex?” I call out, walking from the living room to the back of the house. The bed is empty.

“Bexley?” I say again, checking the bathroom.

My pulse accelerates, pounding against my rib cage. Where is she? Panic starts to creep in as all kinds of bad shit goes through my mind. Has someone found out this is where I live? Did Warren have boys we didn’t take care of and they’ve already retaliated?

But as I walk back through the living room, I spot the reason my heart beats. In a black coat and a beanie on her head, she stands on the dock down by the lake with the camera I bought her. Sliding the deck door open that’s unlocked already from her slipping out, I step onto the porch. Snow crunches beneath my boots after I descend the stairs. Hair that’s still a little damp from my shower freezes my neck, causing me to slide my hoodie up.

She doesn’t hear me yet, and I like that. I stop before I get too close, watching her snap pictures of the icy lake as it glows in the moonlight. It’s a beautiful sight, and not just the landscape. In my mind, years pass. The sun soars across the sky quickly, the moon taking its place just as fast. Boats drive across the lake, and ice melts and reforms.

I envision a life we could have together. I picture her wearing a ring I picked out, and me calling her my wife. I know it’s stupid and we’re way too young for all of that, but when you know…I think you just know.

I walk closer, and as soon as I step onto the dock, it shifts a little and she turns around. Slowly, she slides the camera into her pocket, and her hands follow as she walks toward me. Once she’s close enough where I can see her face, my heart dives.

She’s puffy-eyed and frowning.

I’ve hurt her…again.

“I’m sorry,” I say on a rush. “The day slipped past me. I fucking forgot.”

Glossy eyes have never looked more disappointed. “You said you’d come by. I waited.”

“I know. I’m sorry.”

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