Page 44 of Outlaw Heartstrings
“That was never supposed to happen,” I whisper-yell, still freaking out.
“I know,” he says once more.
“And it can never happen again,” I command, my head vigorously shaking left to right, left to right.
“Agreed.” Easton gives a firm nod.
He steps closer.
I step back.
He sighs.
“Look, Alba. I wasn’t thinking. It was a mistake. A weird, heat of the moment thing that neither of us planned. I got carried away. I’m sorry.” His face finally goes sober, all traces of lust dissipating like wisps of smoke. “Just tell me it’s not going to change things between us where Jagger is concerned. Please tell me you won’t make it difficult for me to see him because I made a mistake.”
Jagger.
Jagger’s wellbeing is what’s important here.
I pull in a breath, my entire body still tremoring with adrenaline and whatever other chemicals that kiss sent rushing through my system.
“Nothing changes where Jagger is concerned,” I promise softly, my sinuses prickling and my eyes welling up. I shake my emotions away and make an unconvincing attempt to appear stoic.
“Thank you.” Easton says in quiet relief, clasping his hands over his chest. “Thank you. I’m sorry. Thank you.”
Then he pivots, walking backward into the physiotherapy doorway as he continues to stare at me.
He flashes me a wobbly version of his devastating smile, showing off his gorgeous dimples once more before he disappears.
On shaky legs, I head back downstairs and sink into my seat behind the reception desk.
Laney pushes her keyboard aside, grabbing my arm and shaking it. “So…how did everything go with Mr. Hockey Snack? Did you bite that biscuit?” She laughs proudly at her joke. Then she observes my face and goes serious. “Wait. Are you okay? You look flushed.” She shoves my water bottle at me.
My hands are still shaking but I refuse to acknowledge it. I take a long chug of water, hoping to lower my temperature and to calm my jittery nerves. “Fine. I’m fine.”
Except, I’m not fine. Now that I’ve had that man’s mouth on mine, I’m not sure that I’ll ever be fine again.
Oh boy. Easton Raines was—and always will be—nothing but trouble. But I suspect that he might also be a good dad.
That’s the thought that helps me stuff my tangled feelings into a box and hide them away at the back of my mind. That’s the thought that gets me through the rest of the day.
16
ALBA
When the day is finally over, I grab my stuff, eager to get out of here. Exhausted after my emotionally-draining shift at the hospital, I head next door to pick Jagger up from the library.
I’m wildly grateful for all the programs and activities they offer in the summer. I can’t afford all those fancy private programs, and Jagger’s mind is too busy to be stuck at home all the time.Plus, it allows my mom to have a break, too.
“Hey, buddy! How was your day?” I say brightly, excited to be the one to pick him up today.
Jagger gives me a hug, but it’s weaker than usual. “It was okay, I guess.”
I frown, quickly picking up on the sadness in his voice. I stop and kneel down on the sidewalk outside the library to be eye level with my nephew. “What’s wrong? Why are you sad?”
He shrugs, eyes falling to his scuffed up sneakers.
It instantly worries me, seeing him looking so dejected. “Come on, bud. You know you can tell me anything. What happened?”
