Page 94 of Clinch'd

“Look,” he says, “whatever happened before, you’ll regret it if you don’t make peace. You need each other.”

“Oh yeah,” I sneer. “How would you know?”

“Because my sister died years ago,” he says quietly.

Glancing back in shock I mutter, “I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, well. Take it from me, you’ll regret it forever when it’s taken from you,” he says with a wry smile, but I see the pain behind his eyes.

It’s a horrible notion but on the wings of my pity is disbelief.

“If that’s so,” I say bitterly, “then why the fuck did you come between us to begin with?”

His face spasms, but I don’t wait around for a reply, and I’m out the door and up the steps before he can answer.

“I’m coming,” I grumble, pulling open the door.

Beast stands on the other side with a nasty smile and I step back when he pushes his way inside.

“Missing something?”

“Oh, thank fuck,” I say reaching out for my purse, but he pulls it away and tosses it on the bed.

“Did you go home with that dick?” he demands, his eyes cold.

Crossing my arms, I ask, “What crawled up your ass and died?”

“Just answer the question,” he barks.

“I passed out. I didn’t have much choice,” I exclaim. “Now stop acting like a dick.”

Sighing he rubs his hand over his face and says, “Whatever.”

“Yeah, whatever. Why are you acting like a bear?”

“I’m not. I’m fucking tired. I’m going out of town tonight. I’ll text you about New York.”

With that he’s out the door and I stare at the wood bemused. Why was he so angry?

Chapter 35

Cooper

After dropping Minnie off, I drove around for a while, avoiding going home. All the while, the burn in my chest told me that she was right.

Now, I can hear Lorri sniffling through the door while I pace the living room with a headache brewing at the base of my neck.

When my phone buzzes, I snatch it up and say, “I can’t fucking do this anymore.”

“You want answers?” he barks.

“You know I do,” I growl, stopping before the window. Below me, people wander through the streets going about their lives.

Meanwhile, I’m fighting to find the truth but with every day that passes I lose momentum. Something has to give; I just hope it isn’t Monroe.

“This shit is fucked up,” I say, and he sighs.

“You’re the asshole who shacked up with Crazy Train.”

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