“I’m sure once he’s grown some more, you’ll have another.”
“Maybe.” She dumps the bottles in the sink and then asks, “How are you doing?”
“To be honest, I have no idea. My head is fucked, and I can’t see how to clear it.”
She leaves the bottles and joins me at the table.
“When we thought you were dead, it shook everyone. The odds, little did we know, were in our favor. Not only do we have you back, get to share your life with you,youhave life. But you won’t live until you put your struggles to rest. What do you want?”
I don’t hesitate. “To be a Lost Soul.”
She shakes her head. “You’re already a brother. No one can take that from you. What do you want in this new life of yours?”
My mind goes blank. What do I want?
“Stop thinking. What do you want? The first thing that comes to mind.”
“I want my girl back. I want to be a brother. I want to be sure I won’t ever be anyone’s prisoner again.”
She cups my cheek and I still have half a brain and hope Luca doesn’t choose this moment to walk in and see his wife touching me.
“Then that’s exactly what you’ll have. All you have to do is take it. Bury your enemies and take it all.”
Her hand drops from my cheek and she takes her son back into her arms.
“It might be wise to deal with Effie before claiming your girl. You wouldn’t want the two crossing paths.”
It would be wise to deal with the past before venturing into the future but what the hell. I ride over to Phoebe’s and I’m grateful when her dad’s car isn’t parked in its usual spot. Climbing off of my bike, I jog up the steps and knock on Phoebe’s door. I’m not waiting long before she answers. In only a towel around her body, I’m entranced by the sight and furious she would answer the door half naked.
“I could have been anyone,” I snap. “How often do you answer the door in a towel?”
Rolling her eyes, she steps to the side and I push through and head into the kitchen.
“Why are you here, Ford? I don’t have long before I have to leave.”
“Where do you need to be?”
I liked it when I used to know where she was at all times and she knew where I was.
“Not that it is any of your business, but it’s my last final and I don’t need you getting in my head and fucking it up for me.”
Frowning, I tell her, “I don’t want that either. Why don’t I pick you up after and we’ll go out and celebrate?”
I keep my eyes on hers, refusing to become trapped with the sight of her body.
“I already have plans.”
“What about tomorrow?”
“I’m busy.”
Sighing, I ask, “What about this weekend?”
“Again, I’m busy.”
I see how this is going. I cross the small space that always smells like my past, and stop in front of her.
“You let me know when you’re free and I’ll be here.”
