Page 9 of Rocky

“Because sometimes it feels like you’re holding space for him.”

“How, Rose? I only want him to be a father to his son. Is that so bad?”

“Deacon is a worthless piece of shit who used you as a punching bag for years. Why would you want Briar to be around someone like that?”

“He never did it in front of Briar, and he’d never hurt him.”

“Fuck that, Rue. Hurting you is hurting Briar. If you?—”

“Rose, please. Deacon and I aren’t together anymore and will never be together again. Can we get to work now?”

She huffed and folded her arms across her chest. Rosemary was the most outspoken and stubborn out of the six of us. If she had something to say, she didn’t hold back.

“Fine.”

“Thank God!” I mumbled, walking away.

We worked in silence until the first customer of the day entered the store. I came from the back when I heard my sister talking to someone. When I saw who it was, I almost dropped the vase I was holding.

“What the hell are you doing here?”

“Rue, that was rude!” Rosemary shouted.

Rocky looked at me when he heard my voice, and he was obviously surprised to see me.

“Let me guess…You work here.”

“Yes, I’m one of the owners.” I made it to the front counter and placed the vase down.

“Interesting.”

“What’s so interesting about a woman owning and working in a flower shop?”

“Wait a minute. Do you two know each other?” Rosemary asked.

“No.”

“Yes.”

“Why are you lying? I don’t know you,” I denied.

“Why are you lying? We met yesterday.”

“That doesn’t mean we know each other. This is the asshole that had Briar on the back of his bike. He?—”

“Hold up. You ain’t gotta call me outta my name. I came here to buy flowers for you to apologize for our disagreement yesterday.”

“Aww, that’s so sweet,” Rosemary cooed.

“You did?” I responded. I was surprised as hell.

“Yeah, but I’m—Are those bruises on your neck?”

For the second time that morning, my hand went to my neck.

“Huh?”

“C’mere.”

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