Page 8 of Don't Look Back

“Well before you freeze to death, are you coming for dinner tonight?” He rubs his hands up and down his arms, trying to stay warm. The temperature difference between the shop and out here is insane. I'm sure he’s freezing in his t-shirt.

“Yeah, I’ll be there,” I grumble under my breath, feeling a lot of the fight leave my body. “Tell Riley I'm not contributing to her bad word jar though. Last week I lost twenty dollars in the two hours I was at your house. At this point, I might as well just agree to pay for her college in exchange for not getting charged.”

“I mean I’d greatly appreciate that.” Tucker grins.

“Oh, I'm sure you would. You get to keep having fun and knocking up Sky, and I get to pay the price.”

“Speaking of knocking up Sky…” He trails off.

“I knew it! She’s pregnant again, isn't she?”

“No, asshole. She’s still trying to lose the baby weight and she came home crying the other day after you asked her if she was pregnant again.”

“Well, how was I to know!”

“How about you just don’t ask her if she’s pregnant again and I’ll let you know if and when it happens?”

“Fine,” I groan. “But you better not hide it. I want to know as soon as you do, even if it’s just a possibility of her being pregnant.”

“Yeah, I’ll make sure to text you each time I shove my cock inside of her so you’re aware she could get pregnant soon.” He rolls his eyes.

“That’s all that I ask. I’ll see ya later.” I duck inside my car and salute Tucker.

“Later, Sheriff.” He flips me off, making me chuckle. I love that man like a brother. I'm so happy Skylar came home and gave him his happily ever after. Now, I just need to find mine.

Chapter 6

Leslie

“Where are you going?” Ollie’s walking up the porch steps as I'm tugging my front door shut.

“Skylar invited me over for dinner. I need some baby snuggles.” I grin, slipping my phone inside my purse.

“Of course you do.” He laughs. “You know, if you settled down and found yourself a man, you could have some babies of your own to snuggle.” He stuffs his hands inside his pockets and peeks up at me.

“Yeah, but that involves finding a guy interested in me.” I roll my eyes and hop down the stairs. I can't wait to see Duke. He’s already sitting up by himself and I can't wait to see what else he’s learning to do.

“There are plenty of men interested in you, Zoey.”

“Don’t,” I whisper. “Please don’t call me that.”

“It’s your name, sweetheart.”

“Not anymore.” I try to shove past him, but he engulfs me in his arms.

Everyone around here thinks Ollie and I are best friends. While that isn't horribly wrong, it’s also not true. I came to Maple Springs as a fresh start. I wanted a place where I’d know who everyone was, yet I could keep to myself. Marple Springs provided that for me.

A way to stay away from my ex and make sure he’d never step foot near me without someone being aware of it.

I didn’t know Ollie when I moved here, but he’s quickly become a best friend and protector to me. I know I can call him at any time of the day or night and he’ll drop everything to come help me. Before Skylar came, he was my only friend and I value my relationship with him more than he realizes.

“I don’t want to scare you, but I got a call,” he says softly.

“What do you mean?” My heart hammers inside my chest so hard, I'm sure you can see it pounding against my skin. I try to suck in a calming breath, but I feel like there’s a huge weight sitting on my chest.

“Mason called me and said Jimmy left town. No one knows where he is, but he’s been gone for a day or so. Mason’s looking into it and he said he’d call you tomorrow, but I wanted to make sure you were aware.”

“No. No, no, no! This can't be happening,” I whisper against his chest, snuggling into his embrace now, instead of trying to get away from him.

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