Page 71 of Second Shot

Hestills.

I open my eyes and find him staring atme.

One eye twitches, before he asks, “Aboutwhat?”

“Everything.”

“You’re going to have to be a bit more specific, sweetheart, if you’re wanting to make this a realapology.”

“You’re not going to make this easy on me, areyou?”

He exhales through his nose, lips tightening, his hand cupping the back of my neck, fingers tangling in my hair, and growls out one word. “No.”

I sigh. “I haven’t been fair toyou.”

Hegrunts.

“And you’re right. I do…care.”

A small smile tugs at his lips, but there’s that damn sadness still lingering in his eyes. “Wish that wasenough.”

“It’s all I have rightnow.”

“Bullshit.” He untangles his fingers and drops his hand to his side. “It’s all you’re willing togive.”

“Maybe.”

He shakes his head and crosses his arms. “I wantmore.”

“Iknow.”

I’m not a touchy person. Never have been. And I’m definitely not a mushy one. But right now, my heart feels all sorts of things I know Ishouldn’t.

Or maybe itshould.

I’ve been fighting him so damn long, and all it’s brought isheartache.

“What do you want?” Iask.

His nostrils flare. “Yourtrust.”

I give a small nod. “Okay.”

He gives me a skepticallook.

“Whatelse?”

“Let’s just start with that fornow.”

A part of me sags because I want him to ask for more. I want him to demand it. It may be the only way I can give it tohim.

He moves past me, walking back into the bedroom, and pulls out a pair of jogging pants from a drawer and puts themon.

I watch him. Every movement. He’s so familiar to me, and yet there’s still this huge gulf betweenus.

“Do you want to tell me abouther?”

He looks at me, rubs the back of his neck and shrugs. “Her name’s Kiley. She’s my half-sister. Was born when I was put into foster care, so I didn’t know about her. She showed up less than a year ago. Didn’t believe her at first. By the time I realized she was telling the truth, she’d takenoff.”

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