Page 89 of Country Music Cowboy
Loretta didn’t want to smile. She didn’t want to see him or ache for him to put his big, strong, warm arms around her. She didn’twantto want to apologize for the horribly cruel things she’d said to him.
I am a coldhearted bitch.She sniffed.
Her phone vibrated.
She swiped the home screen and laughed. A picture of Emmy Lou and Krystal making sad puppy faces while Jace and Travis looked appropriately put upon by the whole selfie thing.
“We heard you laugh,” Krystal said.
She sighed, sat up, and set her cheesy fries on the bedside table. She tugged her robe more tightly around her and padded across the carpet to the door. She flipped the handle, opened the door, and headed back to her bed.
“It’s so dark,” Emmy Lou said.
Loretta flipped on the bedside lamp, rapidly blinking as her eyes adjusted.
“If you’re going to really embrace self-pity, absolute darkness is the best way to go.” Krystal kicked off her flip-flops and jumped onto her bed. “Ooh, cheesy fries.” She smiled. “I brought Red Vines. The world’s best candy.”
“If you like eating red wax.” Travis sat on the floor beside the bed, his gaze fixing on her bare ankle and calf.
Loretta shifted, crossing her legs. “You all just happened to be roaming the halls at two in the morning?”
“No.” Emmy Lou laughed. “We came to cheer you up.” She tossed her purse onto the bed. “We weren’t sure what your favorite was so we basically bought one of every sugary thing they sell in the gift shop.”
“Meaning, the candy bars cost at least nine dollars each so make sure you chew and savor every bite.” Travis nodded. “And, if you don’t want it, throw me the peanut nougat chocolate thing.”
Loretta eyed the stash of candy. “I’m not sure what that is.”
Travis rose onto his knees and leaned against the side of the bed for the candy—which wasrightbeside her. Unless she was going to climb into Emmy Lou’s lap, she had no escape. She’d just have to act like Travis being in her personal space didn’t bother her. Luckily, the thundering of her heart was muffled by the crinkle and rustle of candy wrappers as Travis hunted down his peanut nougat chocolate thing.
“Found it.” He held up the candy bar and smiled.
He knew what he was doing. He knew he was close enough that all he’d have to do was lean a couple of inches to the right and he could kiss her.He knowsandhe’s enjoying it.
“We bought that for her,” Emmy Lou reminded him, sighing with disappointment.
Loretta tore gaze from that devilish grin. “Honestly, I can’t eat all of this.”
“Oh, we’ll help you. Toss me the taffy things.” Jace sat on the floor, catching the bag Travis threw his way, then leaning against the foot of the bed. “What are we watching?”
“Porn.” Travis started laughing the minute Emmy Lou launched a pillow his way.
“It’s not porn.” But Loretta was smiling. As far as distractions went, this was working.
“Travis is totally teasing you, but this was all his idea,” Krystal said, sliding off the bed and onto the floor by Jace. “He was worried about you.”
“We all were,” Emmy Lou added.
“I wasn’t.” Krystal raised her hand. “I figured you might relish a little privacy, but I was overruled.”
“You didn’t have to come,” Travis pointed out.
“Well I didn’t want to miss out.” Krystal winked at her. “I mean, I’ll give you privacy but I’m also completely content talking trash about Donnie Gram. I’m calling him Donnie Gram because calling him your father assigns some sort of blame to you. Which is bullshit. So, from now on, the asshole is Donnie Gram.”
“I can’t argue with that.” Loretta nodded.
“Does that mean I should start referring to Momma as CiCi?” Travis asked.
“I do.” Krystal shrugged. “Most of the time. I just feel gross calling her Momma. She’s not a nice person. All her secrets and lies and maneuverings… Mom or mother or Momma is a title—a revered title. And a good mother won’t do any of those things.”
