Page 126 of Luci’s Lullaby

“You think she’d notice me in the bed?”

“I’m thinking that’s a hard yes.” He nods.

“I need two minutes.” I jog into my bedroom and double check some measurements.

Chord eyes me skeptically. “What’s up?”

“It’s weird.” I shrug.

“Do tell, I like kinky fuckery.” He wiggles his brows.

I chew on the corner of my lip trying to decide if I should tell him. “No judgment?”

He holds his hands up. “Nope.”

“I’ve had a lot of time to think, and there’s one thing I have to do.”

“Alright, what’s that?” He listens closely.

“We need a new bed.”

He cocks a brow. “For?”

“I knew the first time we made love, it was different. It was different for her and that made it different for me. I can’t expect her to be in a bed where lesser women have been. My stomach turns every time I think about it.” Like right now.

“Let’s go bed shopping.” He fist bumps me.

I follow Chord out to his SUV and slide in. As I’m putting on my seatbelt, something catches my eye.

“It’s Charlee.” I’m stunned, frozen in place.

Chord looks over his shoulder. “I’m gonna jump out, make an excuse and help them inside. Hit the floor, I don’t want her to feel like we set her up.”

“How in the hell am I supposed to hide in here?”

He cuts his eyes at me. “No clue, kiss your ass if you have to.” He opens the door and shuts it behind him quickly. “Hey, ladies. How are y’all?”

“Hello, Uncle Chord.” I hear kissing, asshole. “What are you doing? Is something wrong with Alden?” Charlee’s voice quivers on my name.

“No, he’s good.” Chord hesitates.

“I thought y’all went after him because he was in bad shape?” She sounds so close, I wish I could see them.

“He was, he’s doing better.” Chord pauses. “He’s coming home.”

There’s a long silence, which throws my imagination into overdrive. Is she running? Has she panicked? I bet she’s mad. She should be, I’m an ass. If she says she doesn’t love me anymore, I’m going to jump out and hold her until she does again.

“I can’t see him, he was so angry at me; I don’t think we should talk.” The knot in my stomach is now in my throat, and I struggle to breathe.

“Charlee, we all say and do things we regret. I know for a fact that’s one of his.” Chord for the save.

“Maybe.” I can’t stand pauses. “Do you think he’ll be mad that I’m keeping Luci?”

“No, Charlee. He’s beside himself with the knowledge she’s with you.” Talk me up, buddy. All this waiting and the only thing I can do is chew my dang nail.

“He is? I thought he’d be upset, especially with me staying here. Wait. When is he coming home? I don’t want to see him.” Her voice trembles with the thought of seeing me, taking my hope and tossing it off a ledge.

“He’ll be home tomorrow, I think.” Chord clears his throat.