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“Hmm. Well, let me give you my number. I’ll come get you if you need anything, okay?”
“Thank you. Thank you so much, Shelby.” I launched myself at her for a hug, and she hugged me back, chuckling.
“Well, aren’t you enthusiastic.”
We exchanged numbers, and I climbed out of her truck to head inside, grateful the front door was unlocked, although off the top of my head, I knew exactly which windows were likely open, should I need to shimmy in. The house was dark and quiet, so I flipped on a lamp. Beau didn’t even bark, just trotted in, yawning and stretching before nuzzling my hand.
“Hello, Beau. I missed you too.”
It smelled like Remy everywhere, I knew because I made my way through the house like I hadn’t seen it in a decade. His shoes by the door. His coffee mug in the sink. The kitchen island where I’d been fucked silly. The blessed dryer, topped with fresh towels. The saggy sofa I wouldn’t let him sleep on. The missing shower tile where the pipe had burst. The fresh patch on the roof over the bed I’d first slept in.
And then I was in his room.
I could picture him there, twisted in the sheets in the dark. And before I knew it, that was where I was—curled up in his bed, hugging his pillow, waiting for him to come home so I could tell him I wanted to stay.
42
shoot your shot
REMY
My head had been split open like a melon. It had to have been.
I cracked my eyelids and groaned, closing them again as I tried to figure out where I was. Based on the millisecond of a glance I’d gotten, and the fact that I’d started the whole ordeal off with Wilder, I figured we were at his place.
I braved another glance, shielding my eyes.
“Faaahhhck,” I groaned again, the contents of my skull sloshing around when I sat up. The heel of my delusional hand pressed into one eye socket in an effort to stop the thrumming.
Jessa’s face slid into my mind, and I sighed. This whole fucking thing was such a mess, and I’d done it to myself. The second I first saw her, I knew it would be a mess, but I couldn’t help myself. I wasn’t even upset about it. I’d do it again in a heartbeat if it meant I got to have her.
I’d do it twice if it meant I got to keep her.
My phone was on the coffee table, dead as a brick. Next to it was a glass of water I’d had the foresight to get but not drink, and I snatched it, guzzling it down. I still had my shoes on, and my back was stiff from sleeping on the couch, but I figured with a little ibuprofen and a couple more glasses of water, I’d be right as rain.
Last night came back to me in flashes at first, then waves as I remembered everything in reverse. Slamming shots with Wilder on his back deck around his fire pit—shit, did we put the fire out? I got up and checked, relieved to see we had. The bar had happened, I’d told him my whole sob story, and he admitted?—
Oh God, he’s still in love with Cass.
“Faaahhhck,” I whispered, dragging a hand through my hair. He had it so much worse than me. At least I had hope.
He was fucked.
Let’s see, Jessa’s mom tried to bribe me, and I was mad because?—
Instantly, my body coiled up like a bag of snakes at the memory of Henry kissing Jessa again.
It’s fine. She doesn’t want him. She wants me. Even though she’s leaving. And she sees Hank all the time. But it’s fine. She wants me. I think.
I filled up my glass and downed the water, looking at the time.
My sleepy eyes shot open.
“Faaahhhck!” I was late. Not too late, there was time. But the bridesmaids were all set to be at the church with Cass at nine and I’d have to shift if I was going to get myself together and to the bridal suite.
Heading for the door, I patted my pockets—keys in the front and wallet in the back—snagging my deadass phone on my way out. It was a gorgeous day, perfect for a wedding. Not a cloud in the sky and the weather mild. I was glad I had the forethought to leave the top on the Scout. My eyeballs might have exploded from the sun exposure.
I rolled through everything I had to do this morning as I plugged my phone into the ancient charger hanging from the cigarette lighter port and got going. Showering, that was the big thing. Had to get my tux on and pick up coffee for everybody. My job today was errand boy/messenger, tasked with serving the ladies of the bridal party.
