Page 174 of Mountain Daddy
I press my fist against my chest.
It feels like my heart stopped.
Ashley makes a thoughtful sound. “I mean, she didn’t just come out and say it. I kinda questioned her. But she was cool about it, so don’t get mad at her for telling me.”
“I’m not mad.” The sentence comes out as a whisper.
“Oh, shoot. My friend is calling, I gotta take this. Love you, bye.”
Ashley ends the call the moment she stops talking, saving me from having to find my voice.
She told you what?
That she loves you.
I stare at the bar top.
Kendra said she loved me at the party.
“I don’t know why you’re acting so surprised. It’s obvious to anyone with eyes how you feel about each other. You’re like freaking magnets. Drawn together.” Jessie sighs. “I know the whole part about telling Joe is going to be messy, but… she’s your other half, Luther. He’ll understand.”
The pain inside my chest builds.
And builds and builds.
I reach for the bottle, pouring another shot to the brim of the glass.
Lifting it, I make eye contact with Jessie. “I broke up with her. It’s over.”
I take the shot.
Jessie’s mouth drops open. “What? Why the fuck would you do that?”
“I’m not right for her,” I croak.
“Bullshit,” Jessie snaps, then leans over the bar. “That’s total bullshit. You might be a giant dumbass, but you’re perfect for that girl.”
“I’m not. She deserves better.”
“What about what you deserve?” Jessie angrily pours a drink for herself. “Don’t we all deserve our person? No matter the risk.”
Our person.
My other half.
I push my glass across the counter.
Jessie pours.
Chapter 103
Kendra
“Can I borrow your truck?”I ask, stopping beside the couch.
Dad looks away from the TV. “Sure. You helping someone move?”
“Um, never. I just need the, uh, space.”
