Page 58 of My Mistake To Make

‘Amazing.’ I smile even as sadness wets my eyes. ‘I got lucky with the contractor.’ I close my eyes, regretting my choice of words. ‘He’s doing a great job.’

‘Well, that’s good to hear.’ She smiles and sips from her bottle but keeps her eyes on me. ‘There’s something else.’ I swallow. ‘Spill it.’

I release a soft chuckle. My adopted grandma has a way of making me talk.

‘There’s a man—the contractor, actually.’

‘Ooh, finally, some real gossip.’

I shake my head. ‘Not really. I just thought he liked me, even though he said he didn’t, so I shouldn’t have thought that…’ I ramble.

‘He said he didn’t like you?’ She looks appalled.

‘Not to me. I overheard him telling his sisters. But I don’t know. I thought…’ I take a deep breath. ‘I made a bit of a foolof myself. He warned me, but I didn’t listen, and now I just feel embarrassed.’

Doris’s frown creates a deep crease in her forehead.

‘Well, he’s a damn fool if you ask me. You’re a prize, sweet girl, don’t you forget it. Maybe I oughta drive down there and give him a talking to.’

‘Oh, no.’ I smile. ‘It’s okay, really. I just need to stay away from him.’

‘Cara,’ she reaches out and takes my hand, and I turn my sad eyes up to meet hers. ‘It’s okay to be sad. It’s okay to be hurt, even angry. Pretending you’re fine serves nobody.’

Her words open something up in me, and I can’t stop the tears that come. I am hurt. I am sad, and I really am angry, and for the first time in my life, I’m not going to pretend I’m fine.

That Was Quick, Honey

Doug

‘Like this, Daddy?’

Bowie holds up a stick she found for the fire, and I smile. It’s basically a matchstick, but she looks so proud.

‘That’s perfect, honey. Keep looking.’

I trail behind as Bo and Harley walk ahead, both of them looking for sticks for very different reasons.

I ran away. I keep trying to tell myself I just wanted to take advantage of my time with Bo and that she loves when we gocamping, so this is all for her, but the truth is, I freaked out, packed up in the middle of the night and the second Bowie was awake, we jumped in my truck and headed to a camping spot I chose specifically for the lack of cell service.

I feel like shit, and at the same time, a part of me can’t stop remembering details of last night that make me feel on top of the fucking world.

The way she looked in that tour shirt, the way she clung to me when I picked her up. The way she gasped when I kissed her, as though I stole the breath right out of her.

Fuck, the way she trembled in my arms, somewhere between nerves and desire. I knew I should have stopped and walked away before it went too far. I told her to tell me to stop because I didn’t have the strength to stop it myself. I wanted her more than I’ve ever wanted anyone, but when she said don’t stop, I almost passed out from the rush it gave me. The feel of her so fucking wet and tight, the scent of her, the sound of her climbing and falling apart for me—she was perfect. God damn, a better man would have fallen to his knees and proposed, knowing women like that don’t come around often, but I’m not a good man. I thought I was—walking out of that cabin showed me otherwise.

‘You’re not listening.’

Bo’s little voice snaps me out of my daydream, and I find her frowning up at me.

‘My goodness. I wasn’t, was I? I apologize, honey. What were you saying?’

‘I was telling you about the bug I saw, but it flew away. You need to consertate.’

I laugh at her mispronunciation, which makes her frown harder, her little hands coming to her hips.

‘Oh, you are right, I am very sorry, and I will concentrate harder.’ I bend down to look her in the eye and tap her little nose with my finger. ‘Shall we look for more bugs?’

She smiles and nods and turns to head off. I throw a stick ahead for Harley and make a promise toconsertateand stop thinking about Cara.

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