Page 93 of Without You, Scotch and Sammy 2

Meg’s brow lifts. “Yes, Soda?”

“Thank you for coming today.”

She shrugs casually. “I told you I would. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

“I know… It’s just, well, I was scared for a minute that you wouldn’t, and though I would have survived it, I’m really glad I don’t have to do this alone. You’ve done a lot for me since I called you--”

“Hey, it’s fine.” Sitting down within half an inch of me, she smiles and leans against my shoulder. “I hardly did a thing.”

“You found me a good lawyer.”

Meg rolls her eyes. “I’m sorry mine couldn’t do it. He’s just so busy with--”

I place my hand on her thigh. “The lawyer you found is perfect. He’s really smart, and nice--”

She bounces her brows. “He’s hot too, right? I made my decision based first on how good he would look taking you from behind, then his education.”

I slap her leg. “You’re such a pig.”

“But I’m also right, right? Don’t tell me you don’t stare at his shoulders. Or his lips.” She dramatically shivers. “I hope he’s good at his job – maybe then he can adopt me.”

“Oh my god!” I slap her again. “Can you stop?”

Our gazes snap over when the automatic doors whir open, but before I get a chance to run and hide, our visitor jogs toward us and Meg pats her hair down. She stands tall and pops her boobs. “Well, hello, handsome.”

Marc’s eyes stop on her and his brows furrow. “Poot?”

“Ah fuck.” Her chest deflates and her butt pulls in, then she drops back down beside me.

Marc stands back half a dozen feet, glaring the way he seems so good at since becoming an adult. I study his dusty work boots and worn jeans. My eyes hesitantly travel up his broad chest as it stretches his white shirt, then I swallow heavily when our gazes lock. “Fuck.”

Marc’s glare turns soft. “Just give me five minutes, please Soda.”

I can’t even celebrate Lily’s new little fart, because Marc’s eyes literally scare me. I stand up slowly, but I don’t move closer. “Could you just go?” I look around the courthouse waiting area. “This is a really bad time, and I’m done being a human punching bag.”

“Just five minutes, please?” He rubs his hands together absentmindedly. “I have some things I wanna say. I want to apologize.”

“Apolo--” My eyes narrow. “Are you going to shout at me? Stand over me? Kick me?”

“I swear I’m not.” He eyes Meg again, taking a hesitant step closer as his gaze travels from her sexy heels up to her perfect silky blonde hair. He shakes his head, then his gaze comes back to mine. Gone is the mean and intimidating man, and in his place is a handwringing, nervous gentleman that reminds me of Marc from school. He looks me up and down too, then stopping on Lily for a moment, his eyes eventually come back to mine. “I want to say I’m sorry, Soda. I was wrong.”

My heart thunders in my chest. “Wrong about what exactly?”

“About everything. I’m so sorry for the way I treated you. I’m sorry for harboring so much hate for you for so long.”

Lily lets out another grunt of pain and starts to whimper. Meg stands and steps away, shushing and bouncing her, and Marc’s eyes follow their movements.

“What changed your mind?”

His eyes come back to me. “I stopped and listened.”

My head turns to the side in confusion.

“I thought you did something that really hurt my brother. And you kinda still did, you left. But I’ve since found out a large part of the reason you left was for me. And for Kari.”

“Where’d you hear that?”

He shrugs nervously. “Around. X and Oz confirmed it. Scotch confirmed it… The thing is, Scotch is my brother, and I love him a whole lot. But Kari is my baby, and what you did for us…” He shakes his head in disbelief. “I can count on one hand the people who’ve ever done something so selflessly for me. I’m really fucking sorry, Soda. Not only didn’t I give you a chance, but I was mean.”

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