Page 57 of An Uphill Battle

Using all those muscles he’s earned farming, he pushes himself into a standing position without ever setting me down. He takes two steps toward the bed and lowers me onto it, stepping into the space between my legs. In this position, we’re almost face-to-face, and my God, have I missed hiseyes.

“Let’s head into town and grab some dinner and some groceries, and then we can talk.Okay?”

I nod, not trusting myself to keep my emotions in check if Ispeak.

“Good. Let’s go.” He takes my hand in his, and together, we walk out to his truck. He guides me to the driver’s side door and helps me into the truck before climbing in after me. I stay in the middle of the bench seat, close to him, and he doesn’t ask me tomove.

Maybe we’ll be all right afterall.

31

Drake

Azalea’s been gluedto my side since the moment she realized it was me in the house with her, and I’m not complaining. Having her near feels like fucking heaven—like the part of me that’s been hollow is suddenly fullagain.

“What’re you doin’ here a day early?” she asks as I navigate the winding country roads that lead intotown.

“Wanted to come ahead of you to make sure the house was warm and ready. Guess you beat me to the punch though,huh?”

She shakes her head and gives a little laugh. “I may have gotten here sooner, but I certainly didn’t beat you. I was about to head into town to get a space heater because I couldn’t light afire.”

“You use aDuraflamelog?” I ask her, and she shakes her head. “Didn’t Dad tell you what todo?”

“Yeah, he did. I just forgot. Thanks for saving me,” she says, her voice all high-pitched like a cartoonprincess.

“I’ll always be there to save you, Bit,” I tell her, deadserious.

She smiles at me, and I bask in it. I’ve missed her so damn much it almost killed me. I glance over at Azalea every couple of minutes or so. About ten minutes into the trip, her head lolls side-to-side and she drifts to sleep. I smile when I feel it hit my shoulder, and a soft snore passes her poutylips.

I make the rest of the drive into town in silence, not even listening to music for fear it will wake her, and it’s obvious my girl needs some sleep. Which makes me wonder if she’s not been sleeping well—and if it’s myfault.

Guilt jabs at me until I park my truck in front of one of the only restaurants in this little town. “Wake up, Bit,” I whisper, nudging her head with myshoulder.

“Mmm, what?” she asks, her voice heavy withsleep.

“Gotta get up if you wanna go eat,” I tell her, and right on cue, her stomach rumblesagain.

“This is real? You’re reallyhere?”

I don’t answer her. Instead, I tilt her face up to mine and seal my lips to hers in a searing kiss. “That feel real toyou?”

Dazed, she nods before her cheeks split into a magnificent smile. “Yeah, D. Reallyreal.”

“Good, let’s get you fed.” I slide out of the truck before helping her down and leading her into thediner.

We enter the establishment and are met with a sign directing us toPlease seat Yourselves.Azalea heads for a corner booth and slides in. I follow, sliding in beside her instead of across from her. We’ve been apart longenough.

“You know what you want?” she asks, and my nostrils flare.I sure as fuck do, I think to myself. “Drake?” she prompts me again when I don’tanswer.

“Oh, yeah. Sorry. Think I’m gonna get the pancakes and bacon. What aboutyou?”

“I think I’m gonna do the same,” she tells me with a sweetsmile.

“Well, alrighty then,” our waitress says, startling us both. “That makes my job easier. Two pancakes with bacon. What’ll y’all have todrink?”

“We’ll both take a coffee, please,” I tell her, earning me a glare from the little pistol seated next tome.

“What?” I ask her as our waitress sauntersoff.

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