Page 68 of Falling for the Forward

“What? That’s what it’s called. You licked a puss.”

I burst out laughing, realizing how much I needed a moment of levity. “It’s eucalyptus, Hals.”

“Oh.”

“Oh my God, Hallie,” Charlotte says.

“Leave her alone. It’s a big word and it’s hard to pronounce.”

I pull up to Charlotte and Olivia’s school first.

“Make sure you’ve got your lunches and laptops and water bottles,” I say. “If I have to come back and bring you anything, I’m coming to your classroom to give it to you in front of everyone and I’ll kiss you on the cheek when I do it.”

“I’d rather die,” Olivia mumbles.

They get out of the car, Charlotte giving me a little wave on her way into school. I wave back and put the car into drive, heading out of the parking lot toward Hallie’s school.

“I miss Suki,” she says softly.

“Me too. I’m going to see her after practice and I’m gonna try to get her to come back.”

She brightens. “Tell her I miss her. And don’t say anything that will make her mad.”

Wise words. I have to find a way to undo the damage I did by telling her I love her, which is ironic as fuck.

“Don’t forget to give Darling treats today,” Hallie says as I pull up to the drop-off door of her school.

“Uh-huh,” I say wryly. “He might waste away.” I wait for her to get out of the car. “Have a good day, Hals.”

“You too.”

On the drive home, I start to game plan what I’ll say to Suki this afternoon. I plan to open by telling her how amazing she is and then swallow my pride and say I moved too fast.

I didn’t. I was honest with her about my feelings, but if I have to lie and say I shouldn’t have said it to get her back, I will.

We still have more than nine months left in our agreement, though I guess she could just decide the two hundred thousand dollars I already gave her is enough and bail. If she stays, she’ll have a full year to decide whether I’m the guy for her.

If she’s too jaded over Tyler to risk being hurt again, I’ll have to accept that. It’ll be really damn hard-- for me and the girls--but I can’t force it.

Strong-arming my way into things works on the ice. It’s actually often the only thing that works. But it won’t help me with Suki. I have to let go and leave it in her hands.

Easier said than done.

When I pullonto my street a few minutes later, Sukis car is parked in the driveway. My pulse hammers in my ears and I speed up. When I get into the garage, I throw the car into park and run into the house.

Suki’s sitting on the kitchen floor with Darling, scratching his ears. He’s nuzzling against her, totally content.

“Hey,” she says softly.

“Hey.” I set my keys down on the counter. “How are you?”

“I’m okay.”

I tamp down a flare of aggravation. She’s okay? I’m sure as hell not.

What if she’s here to pack her things and leave? The thought makes me feel physically sick.

“Listen, I was in the wrong the other day,” I say. “I called you broken, and that’s so far from what I really think. I’m sorry.”

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