Page 137 of Exes and Oh Hell No

I instantly regret my words. “Sorry for bringing up your dad?—”

“That bastard cheated on my mom so many times, I can’t believe he never caught something that made his goddamn dick fall off.” Ford’s voice is pure venom. “I have no idea where he or his slimy brother is, and I don’t give a shit. As for my mom, I used to have sympathy, but she was always so quick to dump me off on Gram and Pap.”

“Baby.” I squeeze his arm, rubbing slow circles over his bicep as I try to soothe him. “I didn’t mean?—”

“I wish Pap’s brother hadn’t died in the car accident when I was ten. You would’ve loved him. He and Pap wererealmen. Loyal, faithful, devoted to their families and friends.” His jaw clenches. “I was better off being with Pap.Hewas my role model.”

“I know, baby. You weredefinitelybetter off with them?—”

But Ford’s no longer listening.

His entire body locks up, muscles rigid.

His eyes fix on something outside the back door, his expression sharpening into something lethal.

A chill rolls down my spine.

My breath stalls in my throat as I turn toward the window, my gut already screaming.

No.

No.

It can’t be.

My body begins to shake, the blood draining from my face as I stare at the figure standing at the edge of the woods.

I’m frozen.

Feet rooted to the floor.

“N-No.” My voice barely escapes.

My chest tightens. “N-Not again.”

Ford’s head snaps toward me, his sharp gaze locking onto mine. “What the hell do you mean,not again?”

Shit.

My guilty eyes dart to his, my body shrinking beneath his withering glare. “Um… IthoughtI saw someone?—”

Ford’s face darkens to a storm cloud of rage.

His entire body vibrates with fury.

“We’ll talk about this later,” he grinds out—then explodes into motion.

With a roar, he tears through the back door, sprinting toward the woods, his muscles straining against his clothes like he’s about toburstthrough them.

Like he’s ready to rip this man apart with his bare hands.

“Ford,noooo!” I scream, tears blurring my vision.

Panic grips me like a vice, squeezing the air from my lungs as he disappears into the trees.

He’s going after him.

He’s going tokillhim.

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