“Because I really fucking miss you. But if I have to deal with you hating me, I’ll do it. I know I deserve it.”
I have no idea how to respond to that. Her words are probably just fueled by alcohol, but the way she looks at me with those beautiful eyes makes me want to forget about all the bad between us. I want to go back to how it was when we were younger. I want to hug her and stay up all night catching up on the past ten years.
I also feel the overwhelming urge to grab her, push her up against the wall, and kiss her until she forgets her own name.
That’s just not going to work for me.
Jo Lawson is not going to fuck with my head.
Not again.
I do my best to concentrate on how she hurt me and how she can’t just have a free pass for that.
Keeping that mindset, I say, “I think you’re going to have to deal with me hating you. I just don’t see that changing.”
With an unmistakable sadness in her eyes, she says, “Alright. I’ll take what I can get.”
Just as my facade is showing small signs of cracking, she leans in…and hurls all over my shoes.
That brings back all of my anger ten-fold, and I walk away pissed as ever.
Chapter twenty
Sorry I'm an Asshole
Beau
The next morning, I lie in bed, going over all the events of last night. Jo being remorseful wasn’t something I counted on, and it completely took me off guard.
But I’m wondering if it was all just alcohol-induced. Knowing Jo, probably.
It takes me longer than I’d like to realize that I’m wasting my Sunday sitting there thinking about her. Sundays are the one daya week where I don’t plan shit. It’s my day to do whatever I want—play video games, watch TV, and nap with my dog.
Speaking of my dog, I should probably take her for a walk before the laziness commences. With the way my mother feeds her, the girl needs some exercise before she ends up 500 pounds.
Dragging myself out of bed, I quickly feed Mia, take a shower, and get ready for the day. As I walk out the front door, I see my vomit-covered shoes on the porch. I sprayed them off with the hose before I came inside last night, but judging by the way they smell, I think they’re going to go in the trash.
Man, I really liked those shoes.
Fucking Jo.
Mia and I walk through the town, and of course, it takes quite a while because she has to stop and say hi to everyone we pass. She’s the friendliest dog in the world. I sincerely hope no one in this town ever tries to rob me because she would do nothing but probably help them look and beg for treats.
I decide to stop at Dina’s and grab some donuts to take a couple to my mom. I haven’t heard from her in a couple of days and want to make sure she’s okay.
A few minutes later, with donuts in hand, I knock on Mom’s door. Although she looks surprised to see me when she opens it, her expression quickly warms.
“Hey, sweetheart. I didn’t think I’d be seeing you today.” She kneels to love on Mia.
“Which one of us are you talking to?” I ask.
Her eyes flick up to me. “What do you think?”
“I think you should be nice to me because I brought you donuts.”
“Well, why didn’t you say so? Come on into the kitchen.”
I unhook Mia’s leash and follow my mother inside. Before she even sits down, she gets in the cabinet to get the dog a bone.
