Page 217 of Mountain Daddy

---

It ain’t no bear.

I crawl back into bed and place my head on the pillow Luther used, thinking about him telling me he’d be back tonight.

I want him to come back.

I want to see him.

My poor, broken heart wants to forgive him.

And my body wants his attention.

But I know I need to be careful.

I can’t just lose myself in the comfort of him. We need to talk.

Chapter 133

Luther

Baby Doll: Good morning. Again.

I droponto my couch as a bit of tension leaves my body.

I wasn’t sure she would actually message me. Thought maybe she’d take the time apart to realize she doesn’t want to talk to me.

I don’t want to talk to you. I can’t. Not yet.

Guilt worse than anything I’ve ever felt over lying to Joe clogs my throat.

I don’t want to break his trust too. But he was always just an excuse.

An excuse I used to make the decision for Kendra rather than making her choose between me and a future I thought she wanted.

Because if it was left to her, and she chose to leave…

She would’ve hurt me as much as I hurt her.

My fingers tremble as I type outI’m sorry.

I stare at the two inadequate words. Then I delete them.

She deserves my apologies in person.

Me: Did you sleep more?

Baby Doll: Yeah. I just woke back up.

More tension drains from my shoulders, but it’s just replaced with more guilt.

I think Kendra has been just as miserable as I’ve been. Which means she probably hasn’t been sleeping well either.

Me: I’m glad you got more rest.

Baby Doll: Same. But it took a bit to fall back asleep since I’d been laughing so much.

I smile at the screen. Glad I could give her a moment of levity, even if it came at the cost of me running for my life.

Me: You think it’s funny that your little friend chased me off the property?

---