Page 50 of King of Pain

“I got that big dick energy. He’ll let you start next week.”

Now, not only is my mouth open, but I’m speechless. That can’t be true…

But Luke is already sliding me across the seat, as he climbs in the truck. “Let’s get a few more days’ worth of groceries, just in case we don’t leave tomorrow.” Luke gives me his most charming smile. “I’ve got a few more errands to run. Can I drop you at the grocery store?”

“Luke… how…”

But he’s already backing out the truck from the parking spot. He hits the gas and takes a left, pulling into a high-end grocery store. Durango has all sorts of outdoor sport adventure companies. Whitewater rafting, fly-fishing, hiking, just to name a few. But it also seems to have some swanky boutique places. Probably for all the rich people who come here to vacation.

I barely have time to look at fancy stores, or the people coming out of them though, as Luke shoves some cash in my hand. “Get canned goods in case we’re leaving them, but get us some fresh stuff for the next few days as well? Something nice, okay?”

“All right,” I answer, with a shake of my head, pocketing the money and closing the door. “Where are you going?”

I sound like a broken, needy record.

“Just down the street. I’ll be back in forty-five minutes, an hour tops.”

“Sure,” I answer with a nod. I guess I could use a few minutes to sift through some of my feelings too.

I climb out of the truck, closing the door behind me.

I don’t know if I even want the position with Dr. Shrewsbury. But how did Luke…

He’s already backing out of the spot. I only watch him for a second before I head into the store.

Instantly, I stop. They have some of the most gorgeous fruit. The kind I can never afford.

I pull the cash back out and realize that Luke hit me with three one-hundred-dollar bills. How much food did he want me to buy?

I shove them back in my pocket and grab a container of strawberries.

I thought I understood Luke perfectly. He looks good in his beat-up boots and his old truck. He steals cars but he beats up criminals and helps strangers. Like he did me.

Yeah, he’s a little gray, but he’s got a great heart.

Then again… he stopped the doctor with the biggest chip on his shoulder in his tracks.

He hands me hundreds like it’s nothing. I grab a mango, thinking of a Thai recipe that I made once and loved. If only I had a phone to look it up.

Or, I could buy a sharp cheese maybe. A charcuterie night?

I try to concentrate on the groceries, but my thoughts keep wandering. I’m only on the third aisle, when the hair stands up on the back of my neck.

Turning, I look all around me.

I don’t see anything.

But that breaks my trance of wandering thoughts. I’m all business as I move through the rest of the store.

I see some wine, but I’d probably need an ID so I skip it. Instead, I make my way to the register, checking out, and then outside, where I find Luke’s truck already waiting.

He gets out and helps me put the stuff in the back and then he hands me in, closing my door behind me.

I’m quiet as we make our way back out of Durango and toward the cabin.

“Everything okay?” he asks, his hand coming to my thigh.

I give him a weak smile. “Good.”

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