Page 30 of His Big Bad Stick

Massive. Thick. Huge. Bulging.

Yes, Colver was a big dude the last time I saw him.

It’s obvious he didn’t stop growing for a good while after that.

My mind races, trying to figure out if it’s been… seven years? Eight? It can’t be ten years…

“You’re bleeding.”

The first words spoken to me.

So similar to the night of our last words, huh?

My jaw quivers. My body starts to shake.

Anyone seeing this would think I was afraid of the man in front of me.

It’s the opposite.

I feel safe near Colver. I feel like I can finally exhale and let my emotions wash over me.

My mouth is dry.

I force myself to lick my lips.

I swallow hard.

“Colver,” I finally speak. “I… I need your help…”

I step toward him and feel my legs suddenly give out.

8

Colver

Abrielle falls into my arms.

She smells like greasy fast food. She’s got blood on her left arm, her shirt, a random smear dried to her face. I’m wondering if she got into a car accident, hit her head, and wandered off, thinking about me for some reason.

That would not explain how she ended up where I live.

I don’t have time to think or question…

I look back at my truck.

“Okay, kitten, I’m taking you to the hospital,” I say.

“No hospital!” Abrielle cries out. “I don’t want him to know.”

When she says the word him I just so happen to glance at her left hand and I see the diamond ring on her ring finger.

It’s not hard to imagine Abrielle engaged.

I mean, we’re fully grown adults now.

Beyond that. We have lives. Careers.

Maybe… not…

---