“You know who it is?”
“Nah, I didn’t hear a name. One of the other guys, I think his name is Ken. He works nights down by T. Said he saw someone walking down the road, and could have sworn it was the guy from U.”
U is our deepest point.
“That’s it? Just one instance?”
“That’s all I heard.”
“Can you hear some more?”
He grins. “You know I’m good for it.”
I slap his upper arm in a friendly way. “It’ll be worth it for you. How much time you need?”
He looks around as he thinks. “A week or two should be good. I don’t know these guys’ schedules, and I don’t want to be obvious about it.”
“Of course, of course.” I shove my hands into my pockets. “It really is beautiful out here, huh?”
“I love it. This shit is so peaceful.” He holds his arms out. “And I don’t have to worry about sunburns, but the winter is a bitch.”
Obviously, we have a whole different set-up in the winter.
I listen to the wind blowing the trees and the chirping of crickets. Bees buzz and birds tweet. It is fucking nice out here, I won’t lie. But I’d get bored. There’s nothing to do out here.
“That it is,” I say. “So, I’ll see you in a week?”
“I’ll be here.”
I turn and head back to my bike.
Simple.
This is why I love my fucking job.
Chapter Six
Anastacia
All morning, all I’ve done is envision a normal life for myself. Something I was so sure I wouldn’t have no matter what I did or how hard I tried. Of course it’s what I want, but it feels like climbing a mountain with nothing but the clothes on my back. But today I woke up with hope in my chest.
Hope, I learned a long time ago, is dangerous. It’s a road that leads to heartache. If you hope, you’re opening yourself up to hurt. But God, it feels so good to feelsomething.
Should I be imagining myself living a life with Grizz—a man I met once, a few days ago, who hasn’t given any hint of returning?
No, absolutely not. In fact, it’s worrisome.
But there’s something in his eyes, something about the way he looked at me, like he never wanted to stop, that has me hoping.
Hoping that I’m not broken. Not worthless. Not a disgusting piece of trash made to be used and thrown away.
It’s been a long time since I thought those things about myself, but I think that’s because I’d accepted it. I’d learned a long time ago I would be nothing more than an object to be used by men. It’s left me empty.
But Grizz… he is different. He was protective and sweet and kind and everything a man should be for a woman.
Hell, he’s probably married. Or has a girlfriend. There’s no way a man like him is single.
Yet, he was here all night. He fell asleep with me on the couch.
