Page 94 of Coco and the Misfits

“Because I overheard what you said. About your plan.”

“You old pervert,” I mutter.

Zach almost chokes on laughter.

“I like the idea,” Atticus says.

“You do?” I give him a skeptical look but accept the new drink the bartender pushes toward me.

“Yeah. Zach would be good for her and I… I want her happy. Honestly, I want her for myself, but I don’t deserve her. Much like you, Ryder.”

I arch a brow. “You know my name.”

“I overheard that, too. That night when I almost decked you.”

“You and what army?” I mutter. “I was the one who almost flattened your face.”

“Guys. Enough,” Zach sighs. “You’re both big alphas. We got the message.”

Atticus chuckles and lifts his glass. “Partners in crime, then? Zach, will you look after our girl?”

“You are both nuts,” Zach says. “Why would you take yourselves out of the race if you both want her? Your chances are better than mine.”

“You can want someone so much, you realize you’d ruin them,” Atticus says, echoing Ryder’s words from earlier. “And then you realize you’d do anything to ensure their happiness.”

“Assuming Coco wants to be with me,” Zach whispers.

“That depends on you,” I say. “How hard you try to convince her. How much you mean it.”

“Hell, I mean it,” Zach says and sounds sincere.

“That’s good enough for me.”

34

ATTICUS

A plan.

I’ve spent stressed-out days and sleepless nights thinking about her. Worrying about her. Trying to put her out of my mind, and then finding myself getting dressed and walking the streets, always ending up underneath her window to check that her light is on. Making sure she’s okay.

Like a fucking creeper. A stalker.

I know it has to stop. After all, despite my fears, the two assholes who tried to abduct her never surfaced again. Chances are, it wasn’t premeditated and they were drunk and stupid.

Not that it’s an excuse. Bad things could have happened. People are awful, mostly. But that may mean she’s safe. It doesn’t mean the two assholes woke up the next morning with a headache and a guilty conscience and decided to never try anything like that again.

That would be too easy. Too perfect.

I remember their faces. If they ever cross my path, they’ll wish they had never been born, but for now… Nothing I can do.

Am I happy with this decision? Hell, no.

Does it help me sleep at night? You know the answer to that. I’ve been stumbling through the days like a grumpy bear, growling at everyone and wondering why they keep flinching. I haven’t been this bad since…

Well, since I fucked up the last time and broke my life in half.

And now this. Overhearing these two talking about Coco, the plan, the idea of finally doing something for her, something to ensure she’s safe and happy… Damn. Count me in.

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