Page 96 of Heart Strings & Hotlines
“I like how it sounds, Charlotte. A lot.”
There’s no point arguing with him. Once an idea gets stuck in his head, he’ll marinate on it for days.
“How’s Boone?” His voice is so raw, it must hurt him to speak.
“Better than you. He didn’t end up with a concussion. Sharky took him home about a half-hour ago, and his siblings are on their way. Your house is gone though. The fire marshal said it’s probably from all the unauthorized additions over the years. Nothing was up to code.”
He shrugs as though it doesn’t matter. “That house was only a building. The only place I’ve ever felt at home is…” He squeezes my hand, and I forget to breathe. “Is with you.”
CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE
THANE
If I thoughtthe Scuttlebutt welcome committee was out of their minds, it’s nothing compared to the Scuttlebutt care team.
Someone has shown up to Lottie’s house twice a day for the last week and a half. If it didn’t amuse Kara so much, I would’ve installed a large gate around the property to keep them out.
“You’re damn lucky,” Mr. Abboud is saying. I’ve lost track of how many times those words have come from his lips alone. For someone who thrives on counting shit, that’s saying something.
He makes it nearly impossible to ignore him. I much prefer when Mr. Carver is on babysitting duty. At least he leaves me alone while he watches shit on YouTube. Apparently, Mrs. Carver doesn’t approve of his doomsday scrolling, so he gets his fill while he’s here.
“Yes.” I’ve found that if I comment occasionally, Mr. Abboud will basically talk to himself while I remind myself that I’m putting up with it for Kara. She’ll only leave the house when she knows someone is with me, and today is her book club.
Lottie thought it was important for the two of them to go together.
Rafe walks in Lottie’s front door. He’s extended his stay with us. Apparently everyone thinks I’m made of glass. He smirks when he finds Mr. Abboud has moved from the sofa to sit directly beside me at the kitchen island.
“I’m all packed up.” Rafe clasps his hands behind him and rocks back on his heels.
I grunt in response. It’s probably the first time I’ve had any kind of emotional response to him leaving. Normally I’m ready for him to go so he’ll stop hounding me.
But this time, it’s different, almost as though I might actually miss the bastard.
“Have you talked to Lottie? What are you going to do with Kara?” he asks.
I close my notebook when he sits across from me.
My options are to move Kara over here with us and put her…somewhere, or I’d have to leave Lottie and move into Rafe’s room next door. Technically, it’s the same house, but it’s a duplex, so I don’t want to leave Kara by herself, not that I would. But leaving Lottie doesn’t sit right either.
“I haven’t decided yet.”
Lottie knocked down walls on this side of the duplex and turned the upstairs into a master suite, and it’s still too fucking small up there. Luckily, I’ve kept that opinion to myself.
“Well, you better figure it out soon. The car will be here to get me in the morning.”
A timer goes off. “Right on time, Rafe. Right on time.” Mr. Abboud stands and places his hands on his round belly while he stretches side to side.
Mr. Abboud holds out a hand to Rafe. “Nice meetin’ ya, son. Don’t be a stranger now.”
Rafe shakes his hand. Affability comes so easy to him, it’s annoying.
I stay quiet as Mr. Abboud exits Lottie’s home, knowing Rafe will fill the silence in three, two, one…
“Kara’s doing better than I expected her to. But I still want to talk to you about something.”
I maintain eye contact so he knows I’m listening.You are learning.Asshole narrators.
“She mentioned not wanting to go back to your dad when he finishes the mandatory childcare courses.”
