Page 77 of Paco
Still holding his gaze, she grasped his hand. “You’re the only one who hasn’t judged me. Not even from the first time you saw me at the diner… before you knew. You thought I was just a lot lizard and you still treated me like a person. It was that night, with that small gift of normalcy and kindness, that you won my heart. I’m going to miss you so much.” She blinked rapidly. “You don’t have to say anything, but I want you to know that I love you. All my dealings with men have been horrible and I don’t trust them at all, but you made me see that the men I came in contact with were the scum of society. You made me see that there are good men out there, and you’re a good person. I’ll never forget what you did for me.” Before he had a chance to respond, she jumped off the bed and went to the bathroom, mumbling, “I have to pack up my stuff.” From the steady stream of water in the sink, he figured she was trying to mask her sobs.Fuck.
“You got to me too, baby,” he said under his breath.But she has to go home and pick up the pieces. She hasn’t dealt with all she’s been through, and it’s gonna bite her in the ass. I’m her rebound or her fucking stepping stone to regaining her life.For a long time, he just sat there with his thoughts and the sound of cascading water. Nighttime had crept in, and long slivers from the moon provided the only light in the room. He pushed off the bed and switched on the lamp. He needed to hang with his brothers, get away from his thoughts and the ache he’d felt all day in his gut, so he pulled his boots on and went over to the door, knocking softly. “Are you okay?” he asked.
The doorknob jiggled and she opened the door a crack. “I’m good.”
“I’m gonna go downstairs for a bit. Do you want something to eat?”
“I’m not hungry. Don’t mind me. Just do what you’d normally do if I wasn’t here.”
“Text me if you want me to bring up some food, or you can come down and hang with me. The old ladies are still here, so you could talk with them. I’m sure Raven’s gonna beat Brutus’s ass at pool—that’s a lot of fun to see.”
“Thanks, but I think I’ll just get things ready for tomorrow. We’re leaving early, and I have a lot to do.”
“Okay. If you want anything, text me or come down.”
“Gotcha. And sorry for the meltdown. I’m just nervous about going home.”
“I know. Don’t sweat it. I won’t be back too late.”
“Have fun.” She closed the door.
He stared at it for several minutes, then turned around and left.
