“No, baby. Ijust thought you wanted to stay here.”
She sighed,uncoiling herself from me and setting her feet on the ground. “No, I justneeded a shower. I didn’t want to go back to your parents’ and have to explainthe… well, you know. They have enough on their plate.”
“I think it’d bebetter if you did stay here,” Cash said.
“Well, you don’tget to decide,” Daisy fired back, picking up the towel and rewrapping her head.
“He can’t evenkeep you safe from a fuckin’ grocery store, Ducky.”
She advanced onCash, jabbing a finger into his chest. “Suck a bag of dicks. If I’d told himwhat I was doing, he would have been all up in my fucking grill just like y’allalways are. I was the one who let my guard down and that’s on me. The braceletworked, and he’s the one who killed Cyrus, so how about you shut your pie holefor once in your life.”
“He killed Cyrusonly because—”
“Oh my god,Cash, don’t turn this into one of your stupid dick measuring contests,” Daisyhissed. “I’ve seen yours, and believe me when I tell you, his is way bigger.”
I laughed.“Geez, buddy, I’ve never won State Fairs or anything, so I’d hate to think whatyou got in the stable.”
“Oh my god,stop,” Daisy growled, turning to me. “Can the two of you not make this day anyworse? In fact, how about you not make it about yourselves at all. Never mind.I’m going to hang with Razor. You two can unzip and measure together.”
Before she couldwalk out the door, I grabbed her hand gently. “Cash, give us a minute, wouldya?”
He frowned, butthen gave me a chin lift and walked out the door, closing it behind him.
I sat on theedge of one of the beds and pulled Daisy between my legs. “Hey, I’m sorry I wasan asshole.”
She wove herfingers into my hair at the nape of my neck. “I just don’t understand why youlet my brother rile you up so much. Or him you, for that matter.”
I sighed.“There’s something about that guy I don’t like about myself.”
“You’re nothinglike Cash.”
I smiled. “Ilove that you think that, baby, but I have a feeling he and I are more alikethan either of us want to admit. Maybe in some of the good ways as well as thebad, but alike nonetheless.”
“Well, mybrother doesn’t say things like ‘nonetheless.’”
“Not big on theuse of conjunctive adjectives?”
“Now you’re justshowing off.”
I chuckled.“I’ll be sure to grammar shame him next time I need to take him down a peg.”
She tugged on myhair. “Or, you couldnotdo that.”
“Or I could notdo that,” I said, but nodded, indicating I was totally going to do that. I slidmy hands around her waist and pulled her closer. “You doing okay? Did you talkto Teagan yet?”
“I am now. Andyes, she’d been blowing up Cash’s phone apparently until she heard my voice andgot ‘proof of life.’ She’s good now. How’s your dad?”
“I can’t believeyou’re still worried about my dad after everything you’ve gone through today.”
“Well, he’s waymore banged up than me and I’ve got you to put me back together if I havenightmares.”
“I love you.”
She smiled,leaning down to kiss me gently. “I love you too.”
“Are we gettinga room and staying here tonight?”
“What about yourdad?”
