Page 42 of Eagle

I stared at the patch with his road name, wanting to press myself to him. My body missed his touch, too. His warmth. His strong arms and his firm grasp on me. And why did he have to smell so good? Did they make pheromone products for men? I’d used a pheromone roll-on lots of times while working. I couldn’t be sure it worked, but I seemed to get better tips when I did. But surely he used some sort of concoction like that because why else were my nipples hard and blood rushing to my center when all he’s doing is standing around and holding my hand? Still, even over the hickory smell of the restaurant, the warmth of sandalwood tickled my nose.

The friendly woman came back with a large brown bag with handles, a gallon of sweet tea, and a pack of hamburger buns. He pulled some cash out and dropped it on the counter. Iloosened my grip because there was too much for one person to carry, but he tightened his. He took the bag with his free hand, grabbed the handle of the tea with the same hand, then reached out with both of our hands for the buns. “Keep the change, ma’am.”

“Aww, y’all are too precious. Let me get the door,” she said after she slammed the register shut.

He led us back outside and finally let go of my hand once we were back at his truck. With his bun-wielding hand, he opened my door and waited for me to get situated before shutting it and walking around to his side.

He put the food on the floorboard near the gearshift and draped his cut over the seat. I grabbed the food and moved it to my side so it didn’t get smushed or fly around. The buns and tea were put between us on the bench seat so I left them alone. I felt his eyes on me the whole time and it practically warmed my skin.

He pulled out of the parking lot and had to shift gears a few times before getting back onto the road. Once we turned down the road that led to Jeannie’s, I was watching the road when I felt something on the seats between us. My head whipped over and my hand moved as well thinking the tea had fallen, but his hand was there, palm up and fingers open.

Against my better judgment, I slowly put my hand over his. He threaded his fingers through mine and squeezed. Not too hard, but he wasn’t giving me noodle-hand. There’s nothing worse than a man holding your hand, but not. Like a wet noodle just hanging there and happens to be touching you.

“Thank you,” he said as he continued watching the road.

I didn’t reply, but squeezed back and watched the road as we headed to my temporary home. Only a few minutes went bybefore he had to pull his hand away and shift gears as we got closer to Jeannie’s, then pulled in.

He practically jumped out of the truck and ran around to my side, throwing his cut back on before flinging the door open. I leaned down to grab my bag and started to grab the food. “I got that, just hop out.”

Rolling my eyes, I climbed out and looked for the key Jeannie gave me. “Are you sure you got all that?”

He slammed the door and was carrying the food, tea, and buns. “I got it. Do you need me to get your bag?”

Shaking my head, I unlocked the door and walked inside, letting him pass me before closing it. “Just put that in the kitchen. I’ll be right back.”

I put my bag down and then went to the bathroom and pulled the falsies off then took a makeup removing wipe to my face. It had been a long time since I wore stage makeup all day and felt great to get it off. I swiped the wipe over my chest and arms to get some of the sparkles off then glanced in the mirror. Not liking how pale I seemed with everything wiped off, I swiped on a little mascara and some tinted gloss. I was already in comfy clothes and I’d shower after he was gone.

When I went back to the kitchen, he’d already made me a plate of food and opened a diet soda for me and had a glass of tea for himself. “Thank you. This smells so good.” I grabbed my plate and went to the dining room, Eagle right behind me.

We both ate quietly for a few minutes before I finally asked, “So, you said you wanted to talk.” My stomach was in knots. I wasn’t sure what I expected, or what I wanted to hear.

He pushed his fork around a little, then sighed. “Lacy, I’m a dumb fuck.”

My eyebrows raised and I couldn’t help but giggle.

His eyes went wide. “You’re laughing at me?”

“Well, it was a little funny.”

“So, you think I’m a dumb fuck?” he asked as he pointed his fork at his chest.

“No, no, no. Don’t turn this around on me. But I’m sorry. I just wasn’t expecting you to lead with that.”

He put his fork down and leaned back in his chair, tucking his hair behind his ears over and over before he finally said, “I was wrong. I did you wrong. I know that.”

My breath hitched, but I also couldn’t just throw myself at him and forgive the months of loneliness. I sat silently, unsure of what to say.

“I have stupid fucking reasons for the way I treated you. But I don’t want to use them as an excuse. What matters is I know I was wrong and I know you deserve more. You deserve better. And I want to make it up to you. I want to show you, if you’ll let me.”

I still didn’t know what to say and the tension was killing me, so I stood up and grabbed my plate to take it to the kitchen. But before I could get there, Eagle dropped to the floor on his knees and grabbed my hips. I nearly dropped the plate on his head.

“Eagle, what are you doing?” I barely kept my balance and held the plate steady away from his head.

“Lacy, please don’t walk away again. Please don’t go.” He wrapped his arms around my thighs, his hands shaking against me.

“Shit.” I managed to turn a little and put the plate down. “Eagle, get up.” I pulled at his cut, but he wouldn’t budge.

“No. Not unless you promise to stay.”

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