Page 16 of Every Single Broken Piece
“My brother dated a girl who wanted to become a veterinarian, and it’s the only thing she ever talked about. But she ended up opening a doggy parlor. I can give you her number if you want to take Lick to get groomed.”
“It’s okay. I like bathing her.”
Lick jumps up, and placing her front paws on Kelcie’s thigh, she tries to move closer. Instead of telling my dog to get down, Kelcie places her arms around Lick and gives her a hug.
I take a few steps to the side so my border collie will see me and gesture for her to stay before I say, “I’ll catch you later, Kelcie.”
When I walk away, she calls out, “What about Lick?”
“She can visit with you until it’s time for dinner.”
I don’t give her time to reply as I step into my house. Leaving the back door open, I watch her through the kitchen window. She climbs off the chair and sits down cross-legged on the lawn. It looks like she’s talking to Lick, and knowing my dog will do her more good than I ever could, I head to my office and take a seat at the desk.
It’s the one-year anniversary of the attack, and I assume Kelcie won’t be getting much sleep today, which means I won’t get any either. I might as well try to knock out some words.
I open my laptop and type in the password. I have two documents open, one with the meager plot I’ve managed to think up and the other for the manuscript, which only has eleven thousand, two hundred and thirty-six words.
At this deplorable pace, I’m never going to get the book done in time, and I doubt the publishers will give me another extension.
Luckily, I didn’t spend the advance they paid me, and I’ll be able to give it back should the worst happen and I’m unable to write.
I used to dream about being a successful writer. It was all that mattered to me, and I worked my ass off. But after the dust from the instant success settled, my life felt meaningless. I made millions from my royalties, but I can’t think of a single thing I’d like to spend it on.
I’d give every cent I have if it would erase the past year and give Kelcie and Jordan their parents and sister back.
If only money had that kind of power.
I lean back in my chair and cross my arms over my chest while I try to focus on the book.
“Hello?” I hear Kelcie’s voice, followed by the sounds of Lick’s paws on the wooden floor.
It’s only then I realize I zoned out, and it’s dinnertime for Lick. Getting up, I hurry out of my office, but when I dart into the kitchen, Kelcie is already gone, and the back door is shut.
I yank it open, and when I take the steps down to the lawn, I see her walking toward her house.
“Kelcie,” I call out to get her attention.
She spins around, and I feel like shit when I see her eyes widen and a startled expression tighten her features. I need to tone down my assholishness around her.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to bother you,” she says.
“You didn’t.” I come to a stop a safe distance from her, and when she gives me a questioning look, my mind races to come up with a reason for why I stopped her.
Fuck. Think faster, Levi.
“Ahh ...” I have zero brain activity while I stare at her like a creep.
Frustrated that I’m so antisocial, I rub my fingers over the week-old stubble on my jaw.
“You look like you could use a glass of wine,” she says. “It’s just sad when I sit outside and drink by myself, and I can’t be inside right now. We don’t have to talk.”
I don’t like wine, but I’m not letting this chance pass me by. “Sure.”
While I walk to the table, Kelcie heads into the house to get the bottle of wine and another glass. When she comes out again, she asks, “Don’t you have to feed Lick?”
“Shit. Right.” I jog back to my place and hope Kelcie doesn’t pull a disappearing act while I warm Lick’s food. Looking down at my dog, I mumble, “Sorry.” I crouch down and press kisses to the white fur between her eyes. “Your dad’s a little out of his depth right now. If you notice I’m making a fool of myself, feel free to jump in and stop me.”
Lick just pants, the excited look on her face for the smell of beef and kidney with vegetables filling the air.
