Page 42 of Wild Hearts

“His or hers?” I smirk.

“Doesn’t matter. The point is, you would lose your shit. I don’t blame him, I’m sorry.”

“He should trust me,” I stress.

“Mick does trust you, Shane, but you have to remember your relationship is still new. Yes, you spent almost a month straight together, but it’s still new. Relationships aren’t easy, you have to put time and effort into them. Don’t tell me you don’t have your own reservations about being apart for six months. I know you do. Is it so wrong for him to have his own?” Kaylee reminds me.

I groan, hating that she’s right. “Can we stop talking about this now? Let’s talk about something more interesting.”

“Like what?” Kaylee asks, tossing popcorn into her mouth.

“Like… what happened between you and Josh while he was home?” I see Kaylee freeze out of the corner of my eye.

“You need to let it go, Josh and I are never going to happen.” She shakes her head.

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that,” I tease.

My phone vibrates on the couch next to me. I snatch it up, reading the text.

Mick: We made it back to our place. I miss you.

Me: I’m glad you made it home alright. I miss you too.

Mick: You still mad?

Me: Maybe a little…

“Looks like I lost you to lover boy,” Kaylee jokes.

“He’s thirty-four, pretty sure that makes him anything but a boy.” I smirk.

Mick: a little is better than a lot. Call you later?

Me: I’ll text you when Kaylee leaves.

Mick: I love you.

Me: I love you too.

“All right, what should we watch?” I ask, picking up the remote.

“You two get everything squared away?”

“We will.” I nod. “How about the dark Sabrina on Netflix?”

“That works for me, let me grab some more wine.” Kaylee jumps off the couch and heads to the kitchen.

As much as I love spending time with my best friend, I can’t help but wish Mick was here. Crazy how one person can make a house a home without even realizing it.

Epilogue

Mick

Six Months Later

After the longest six months of my life, I’m almost back to my girl.

My phone rings. “Call from Mom,” the Bluetooth tells me. I hit accept, connecting the call.

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