Page 42 of Caged Heart

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Goldilocks: Please, answer me.

Goldilocks: I’m worried about you. Are you okay? Do you need anything?

I sighed.

Me: I’m okay, Carmen. I don’t need anything. Just rest.

Goldilocks: Carmen? Does this mean…

She didn’t finish the text sentence and I smiled. This was the first time I’ve smiled in two days.

Me: Are you my pretty girl?

I asked her because I needed to know. I couldn’t do pushy right now, and I was just as tired as Mars. This mess with my father was further from done, and it was just the beginning and I had to devise a strategy to get him to fuck off.

Goldilocks: If you’ll have me.

Goldilocks: I’ve been sleeping in your bed while Moni sleeps in my room.

Me: How is she holding up?

Goldilocks: She’s worried about Mars. She hasn’t stopped crying every time she thinks about… you know.

Me: Trust me, Mars would have never hurt her if he had a choice.

Goldilocks: Not that. She knows that but I mean everything else that…

Me: Yeah.

I answered with that because what else could I say? I just wasn’t ready. Carmen didn’t say anything for a moment, so I figured she stopped texting, but another message popped up.

Goldilocks: I miss you.

The smile came back full force. Fuck, I missed her.

Me: Smelling my hoodies, aren’t you?

Goldilocks: I’m not a loon.

Me: Goldilocks?

Goldilocks: Yes?

Me: I would have killed them all before they ever got to lay a hand on you.

Me: I need you to know that.

Me: To know that I will never make you cry again. Not even for me.

Goldilocks: If I don’t cry for you, Ares, who is going to?

Goldilocks: Let me comfort you.

Goldilocks: I want to be there for you, so please let me.

Me: But I don’t like to see you cry, pretty girl.

Goldilocks: I love you, Ares.

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