Page 17 of Promise Kept

I grit my teeth.

What the fuck, Ellis?

Her father - one of your best friends - just died.

He was just lowered into a hole in the ground.

And you’re thinking about-

“Here we are, sweetie,” I say.

The word sweetie slipping out too familiar and too easily.

I used to call Larissa that all the time.

That was a lifetime ago.

She looked nothing like she does now.

I open the car door and she can’t even figure out how to properly get into the car.

I can’t tell if she’s that drunk or just fucking around.

Either way, her ass thrust back too close to me.

Or is it…?

I have no choice as I gently touch her hips to keep her steady.

I’m well aware of the position we’re in.

I’m not sure if she is or not.

Larissa finally gets into the car and I hurry in after her.

As I dip down to sit, I take a deep breath of fresh air, then slam the door shut.

I look at her. “Where do you live?”

“I don’t want to go home, Ellis. I don’t want to be alone tonight.”

That’s probably a smart thing.

Her not being alone tonight.

The sheer thought of having her come to my place…

“But I want to go home,” Larissa whispers. “I have to fight this. Face this. Deal with this. I can’t run.”

“You don’t have to run from a thing,” I say to her. “You’re not alone, Larissa. I’ll go with you. Make sure you get settled.”

She nods. “I’m sorry for acting like this. I look like hell. I’m acting like-”

“You don’t have to say a thing,” I say.

Please don’t fucking say anything else.

Just fall asleep.

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