Page 41 of Exes and Oh Hell No

“Because you weren’t there. I lost you. Connor was traded to a different team. Gram was back here, streaming it, cause she’d taken that bad fall and hurt her hip…” I suck in a shaky breath. “I was alone. And it fucking sucked.”

Her arm tightens around me. “I’m sorry. I wish I would’ve been there.”

I blow out a breath. “Me, too. But we can’t change the past.”

She snuggles against my chest, her silky locks tickling my nose. “No, we can’t. All we can do is focus on the present.”

I nod, staring at the ceiling.

I’m holding my entire world in my arms, and for the first time since I first met Harper, I have no idea what to say to make it all okay.

To sweep away the past and start fresh.

A faint buzzing begins in my ears.

Failure isn’t an option.

Even if she told me to leave, I wouldn’t.

Icouldn’t.

Not again.

She’s mine.

She always was.

And now that I have her again?

I’lldestroyanyone who tries to take her from me.

16

HARPER

Ipull my phone from my back pocket, wiping the sweat from my brow.

I spent the day working with the contractors, and while they did their projects, I went to the room that used to be mine and started removing everything from the walls and patching holes.

I need a shower before Ford gets here.

After letting the guys out and waving goodbye, I close the door and head upstairs to my bedroom.

My clothing hits the floor and I step over it on my way to the shower.

Turning the water on, I pin my hair up, then step beneath the warm spray.

A sigh of pure contentment escapes my lips as the water beads on my skin, massaging away the tension.

Suddenly, the shower curtain is thrust open, and I scream.

Whipping around, my heart furiously pounds as I take in Ford’s irate face.

“What the fuck?” I yell, pressing my hands against my bare breasts. “You scared the hell outta me! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?”

His nostrils flare. “Why thefuckare you still here?”

“I needed a shower. I worked on my old bedroom today and?—”

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