Page 109 of Don't Let Me Break

“I’ll get them all.”

“Mack.”

“Kate,” he mimics as he opens the glass door and turns on the water until steam billows from the shower head.

“Now, go clean up. I’ll take care of the rest.” He kisses my cheek like he can’t stand not to and walks out of the bathroom, leaving me more confused––yet grateful––than ever.

32

MACKLIN

After getting dressed, treating the stains on the sheets, and starting the load of laundry, I head to the nearest gas station and grab everything they have to offer. I’m driving back up the mountain toward home a few minutes later.

With a grocery sack hanging on my arm, I walk inside the house to find the scent of bacon and eggs wafting through the air. Kate’s behind the stove in a pair of my boxers and the T-shirt I’d laid out for her hanging off one of her shoulders. Her hair hangs in a damp braid down her back, and her feet are bare.

The view makes me pause. She looks so natural. In her element. Relaxed. Like she belongs here. With me. In our house.

It should be terrifying.

The idea of building a future with her. Of creating a life together. One where I don’t fuck it up. Where we have each other.

But it doesn’t frighten me. At all.

As if she can feel me staring, she peeks over her bare shoulder and smiles. “Hey.”

“Hey,” I greet her, setting the bag on the counter and rummaging through it. Finding the box of tampons and package of pads, I pull them out and hand them to her. “These were the only things I could find. Hope they’re all right. I know some brands are better than others.”

“They’re great. Thank you.” She replaces the boxes of products with an overflowing plate of bacon and eggs and rounds the kitchen island, ready to escape to the bathroom. Even though I know I should let her, I grab her waist and pull her against me, kissing her cheek.

With a shy smile, she closes her eyes, sighs, and gives in, leaning into me and wrapping her arms around my neck. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” I peck her lips. “Thanks for making breakfast.”

“You’re welcome,” she returns and wiggles out of my grasp. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I should probably take care of this.”

Reluctantly, I let her go. Her hips sway back and forth as she heads to the guest bathroom, closing the door behind her.

Grabbing a fork from the utensil drawer, I cut off a small bite of the eggs and almost groan as soon as it hits my tongue. Damn. The girl can cook.

Kate returns a few minutes later dressed in her clothes from last night, with mine wadded into a ball in her hands. Hooking her thumb over her shoulder, she mutters, “I’m gonna…” She clears her throat and heads toward the laundry room without another word.

She’s cute when she’s embarrassed, but I don’t call her out for it. She’s probably used to guys being squeamish over this shit. Like how she’s used to dating guys who break it off as soon as they find out about her epilepsy.

Bunch of pussies.

Determination floods my veins, and my hand tightens around my fork as I stare at the crispy bacon on my plate. I’m not like other guys. I refuse to be. I can only imagine how much shame she must’ve felt this morning. I’d heard her slip out of bed and tiptoe into the bathroom. Noticed the minutes tick by as she stayed locked away, refusing to come back to bed.

I didn’t want to pry, but I also couldn’t help myself. Not when it comes to her.

Kate’s different.

I care about her.

And even if it takes every single day for the rest of my life, I’m stubborn enough to prove it to her. That she doesn’t need to feel shame around me. That she doesn’t need to be embarrassed.

And I know I’m walking a fine line. I know she’s young and probably wants to have fun before settling down. But I also know myself. I’m not the hit-it-and-quit-it type. Not the no-strings-attached kind of guy. I’m the love-you-forever and take-you-home-to-meet-the-parents type. I don’t quit. Not when things get complicated. And I’m a stubborn sonofabitch.

It’s one of the reasons why I married Summer despite knowing we weren’t a good fit. It’s one of the reasons why online dating has been a bitch. Hell, it’s why I never wanted to move into an apartment after the divorce. Why I haven’t left my job since I was hired all those years ago. I’m loyal. And when I get attached to things, well, it’s been known to bite me in the ass a time or two.

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