Page 11 of Blood Sweeter than Honey

When I begin backing out of the parking spot, Beau rolls his head to look over at me. “So, is this a DA or SR op?”

Direct Action or Special Reconnaissance operation.

“I haven’t decided yet. You wanna get out? I wouldn’t blame you.”

“Hell no, brother. What do you think this is? Your birthday? You tryin’ to steal all the fun for yourself?”

Despite my anxiety, an almost grin graces my lips for the first time since… the last time I was able to step more than two fucking feet from Seraphine. My eyes slide to Beau as he gives me a knowing grin and turns on the radio. It’s on a country station, and Dolly Parton’sJoleneis playing.

Beau laughs at the irony and turns the volume up to a near-deafening blare as he rolls his window down all the way. My adrenaline is roaring after seeing that photo, and I’ve got years worth of conviction fueling my rage, but Beau’s good humor is contagious—as always—and as soon as he starts howling the lyrics, beggin’ Jolene to not steal Dolly’s man, I’m rolling down my window and we’re both singing Jolene at the top of our lungs.

About a minute later, Beau interrupts his vocalizations.

“Pull over at the Walmart real quick.”

“Why?”

“Because I gotta take a dump, brother. God damn, just do it.”

Ten minutes later,I’m watching Beau exit Walmart, toting an extra-large pack of toilet paper and a large bag of something Ican’t make out. When he climbs back in my truck, he’s nearly as excited as he is before an actual op.

“What the hell is this for? You gonna take a shit on his lawn?”

Beau cackles, opening his Walmart bag to reveal four dozen eggs and a giant pack of paper rainbow confetti as I drive off. “I like your thinking, but no.”

I can’t help but grin. “Are you fucking serious?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Were you acutally planning on losing your fucking job and going to prison over this deranged woman and some tool bag attorney?”

My eyes slide back to the road. I don’t answer. Because for a moment there, I actually was.

Beau gives me a knowing smirk. “Brother, it’s a fucking blessing in disguise. If anything you should thank her because now you can finally give yourself permission to leave her ass, guilt-free.”

The emotion I’ve desperately been trying to bury swells in my chest. Emotion that I have to force down or I just might fucking cry. And the last fucking thing this woman deserves are my tears.

At my silence, Beau turns down the now too-loud radio.

“Look, man, you already know I’ve been cheated on before, too. It hurts like a fucking shotgun blast to the heart, I know, but guess what? It also makes room for therightperson when you were too fucking stubborn and intent on martyring yourself for thewrongone.”

My throat works around a thick swallow as I draw in a deep breath. I manage a shakily exhaled, “Thanks, man.”

God damn, am I grateful for him.

Beau gives my shoulder a firm squeeze. “And now, we get to have some fun. We’re gonna toilet paper, confetti, and egg thispenny-loafer-wearin’-attorney-at-fuckhole’shouse and the fucking walking nightmare that is now your ex-girlfriend’s car.”

WINNOW | ONE YEAR AGO

BELLORUM REALM

Igive a teary-eyed wave goodbye to one of my subjects as I beckon my vizier, Reginald, forward. “Make sure he and his family are issued another ten acres of land, a few jewels from the coffers, and a few more… chickens, perhaps?”

Reginald’s brow pinches. “Chickens, Your Grace?”

“No? Should I not give him chickens?”

Reginald offers me a weak smile. “I’m not sure how chickens will do anything to help a male grieving over his dead mother. Or another ten acres of land, for that matter.”

Swiping away a tear, I chew my cheek. Perhaps I am rather naive in this. My fingers anxiously wrap around a tendril of hair, and one of myverdelume—the magical floral vines that grow alongside my hair. “Oh… Hmmm. I just thought he might appreciate the extra resources. Burials are expensive, and he has to shoulder even more financial burden now that his mother is no longer around to care for his unwed sisters. What alternative would you suggest?”

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