Page 70 of Mark Us Little Bear
Damn, that attitude he has sometimes drives me fucking insane. Pulling out the half-smashed pack of cigarettes from my pocket, an amused smile tugs at my lips as I take one and light it.
They both drive me insane.
I blow the smoke in the other direction, away from him. “What were you looking at on your phone?”
“Luka texted that he has something to tell me when we get back and that Nana sends him mountains of food every day.” He walks back and forth, raking his fingers through his hair.
“Is there something you didn’t tell me?” I arch my brows. “Something about your results?” My heart picks up its pace.
“What—no.” He peers up at me from the floor. “I would never do that to you.” He immediately eliminates my fear. “It’s not that—it’s…” He balls his hand into a fist, locking it tightly around his phone and dragging the other over his mouth. “Look.”
He flips the phone screen at me.
Unknown
Hi Ronnie, it’s Melanie.
I’m reaching out because I feel the need to protect my daughter.
Please don’t mislead and confuse her about what she thinks she wants. Let her go so she could find herself somewhere safe. She is lost and doesn’t know what she wants anymore. I may be the bad guy right now and I wasn’t the perfect parent but she had a good thing going with her ex Patrick.
Oh, fuck her. What does she know? Bringing up that Patrick again.
Unknown
Don’t play with her heart. She plays tough but she’s fragile.
I know I’m responsible for many things but she is still my daughter.
And you and your friend are not what she needs.
I take a long drag, fidgeting my leg restlessly. “We are exactly what she needs. Acceptance. Unconditional love. Openness. Vulnerability. Stability. Honesty. How could she be so blind to all of those things?” I spew and wave my hands all over.
“Because she judged us the first minute we walked into her house.”
“She is so set on getting her daughter back with her ex but wants her to find herself—something just doesn’t add up.”
“Lower your voice.” Ronnie swallows the gap between us in two strides and cups my face. “We will figure this out, together. But it annoyed me when I first read it.”
“I want to tackle someone,” I murmur.
“And press your boot against their throat?” He smirks.
I was very proud at that moment. “That was a nice touch.”
He hums in approval.
“She made it her mission to drive Amber away from us. Maybe she sent her a similar message.” I blurt out my thoughts. “What is her fucking motive if she even has one?”
He withdraws, rubbing his face. “Maybe in her eyes finding Amber someone like her Dad who tends to her needs and can give her a peaceful life is a way to make amends.”
“Yeah, and she thinksPatrickis her savior.“ I roll my jaw and blow another cloud of smoke in anger.
“No, she just fails to see Amber again because she is so focused on what she thinks is right for her instead of asking Amber what she needs.”
His words resonate with me and I halt in place. Each vein in my body screams how fucking right that statement is. “How did she even get your number? Amber wouldn’t give it to her.”
He shakes his head. “But I did give it to her dad when he said we should swap numbers in case of an emergency when we ate dinner at their place.”
