Page 70 of Lace 'em Up

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There’s laughter in his tone.

But only for a second, his hands tightening on my waist for a heartbeat before he lets go in a rush.

“Zeus, no!”

I’m spinning, reeling, blinking at the sudden change.

Kissing to chaos. Cradled close, protected to…alone on a cold, hard counter.

Then he’s bending.

And I process.

“Oh God,” I whisper, scooching to the end of the counter, looking between my naked wrist and the charms scattered on the floor.

Charms that are being chewed up like a scattering of tasty kibble by Zeus.

“Oh my God,” I say, still whispering as I push off, settle my feet on the ground. “My?—”

Tears are stinging the backs of my eyes, even before I realize that King is bending, gripping his mouth, swiping a finger inside.

And that cheap, tarnished chain is retrieved from his mouth.

But one glance tells me enough.

It’s ruined.

And something inside me, one of those long-buried fragile and hidden pieces…

Shatters.

“No,” I whisper, dropping to my knees, hands darting in all directions, trying to gather up the pieces.

But they’re wet and chewed and broken.

Like the chain.

Like…me.

Chewed up. Dropped into a puddle on the side of the road. Broken into a million pieces.

Loss and grief and change.

Nothing permanent.

Nothing that’s precious to me is safe.

Not ever.

“Excuse me,” I whisper, pushing up to my feet. “I?—”

King glances up from his spot next to Zeus, lightly chastising the pup.

“Not his fault,” I say. “I?—”

I should have known better than to care, to expose those soft, real parts of my soul to the world.

I. Should. Have. Known. Better.

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