Cull kisses my forehead. “Am I a bastard for being happy about this?”
“Maybe a little”
He winces.
“But I love you anyway.”
That finally earns a smile.
I pull on one of his T-shirts and my shorts, then follow him downstairs. He waits while I slide on my shoes, then leads me toward the front door. He opens it with an exaggerated flourish and gestures outside.
“Your carriage awaits, Prince Charming.”
I snort and lean in, brushing my lips against his. He kisses me back before smacking my ass.
“Get moving. I have chores to finish, or Mom’s going to extend my sentence.”
Laughing, I head for my Bronco.
Cullen waits in the doorway while I climb inside. He blows me a kiss, and I catch it dramatically, tossing one back before he disappears back inside the house.
The engine rumbles to life, but I don’t pull out right away. Instead, I sit there in Cullen’s driveway, my hands resting on the steering wheel as I try to steady the knot forming in my stomach. The certainty I felt upstairs is still there, but now it’s tangled up with fear.
What if Ella doesn’t understand?
I don’t want to hurt her, but this is something I need to do.
I squeeze my eyes shut and let out a slow breath. Maria always says that recovery isn’t about choosing what’s comfortable—it’s about choosing what’s healthy.
The words settle over me, heavy but grounding, and I know she’d tell me this is one of those moments.
With a deep breath, I put the Bronco in reverse.
Time to rip off the bandage.
Chapter fifteen
Hudson
Iwalk up to the Hackford's front door, a drink tray with milkshakes from Melvin's in one shaky hand. My grip tightens on the cardboard, my skin buzzing.
Taking one last moment to check in with myself, I ring the doorbell. Ella opens it a moment later, her usual bubbly smile on her face.
“Hi!” she greets, pulling the milkshakes from my hand. “Ugh, I’ve been violently craving a milkshake.” She’s already stabbed a straw into hers and is taking long pulls on it, eyes rolling to the back of her head.
“That good, huh?”
She nods enthusiastically, waiting while I close the door behind me. “So… uh, you sure your parents aren’t going to pop back in anytime soon?”
I know I’m doing better mentally, but I don’t know if I could handle another round of spewed hatred from Mrs. Amy. She waslike another mom, and it hurts that she sees me as nothing more than a common criminal.
“I promise, they’re gone.” It’s all she offers, so I have to believe that she’s telling me the truth.
She leads me into the living room, falling onto the couch and pulling her feet up under her. She pats the space beside her, slurping her milkshake.
I take a seat, trying to put a little distance between us, but Ella snuggles closer, throwing a fuzzy blanket over our laps.
Maybe one more normal afternoon won’t hurt.
