AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She sniffles, making my chest tighten.
“I’m going to miss you.” Her voice shakes.
God, if I don’t get out of here soon, I’m going to end up not leaving at all. “I’m going to miss you too.”
“You promise to come back?” She peeks up at me with tear-soaked lashes.
I swipe away the tears, erasing the evidence of her sadness. “I promise.”
She releases a heavy sigh, and the tension in her shoulders deflates.
“I have a favor to ask you though.” I tuck her card back into my backpack before zipping it up.
Her eyes widen. “Me?”
“Yup.”
“What is it?”
I put on a serious face, like my very life depends on her. “Will you take care of Merlin for me?”
She gasps. “You’re leaving him here?”
My throat feels all scratchy. “Yup. I can’t take him with me, so I need you to be in charge.” And that way, I have a valid reason to return, whether Lana wants me to or not.
Am I using my cat to convince Lana to see me again? Absolutely.
Do I feel bad about it? Not in the slightest, although I’ll be sure to have food and supplies delivered to the house while I’m gone so she doesn’t have to pay for a thing.
She stands tall and salutes me. “I’ll take cares of him.”
“And be sure to take care of your mom for me too.”
Her head tilts, the tiny frown lines in her face making her look older than six years old. “Do you loveloveMommy?”
“I loveloveyour mommy more than anything. That’s why I’m going to go get help.”
Her whole face lights up from whatever idea is brewing within that busy head of hers. “What if we go with you?”
Shit. All it takes is one shake of my head to have her smile falling.
“No. I wish you could, but this is something I’ve got to do on my own.” I give her one last hug before rising.
“But you’ll be back,” she states.
“I’ll be back—for you and your mommy.”
“Pinky promise?” She holds out her pinky with a wobbly smile.
I lock our pinkies together and shake on it. “Pinky promise.”
I give her one last kiss on the top of her head before turning around. My step falters as I take in Lana leaning against the doorframe, her eyes dark and her scowl unwavering.
“Hi, Mommy!”
She looks over at Cami. “You’re up early.” Her voice doesn’t sound accusatory, but the glare she sends my way is.
“Cow-l woke me up.” Cami throws me under the bus.
