Page 61 of Hell of a Mess
I closed my eyes and gave in. To hell with all the common sense I’d tried to have. I was going to fuck this up anyway. It was already a hell of a mess.
Twenty-Six
Lace
Three nights ago, I’d asked Luther to stay with me in bed, and he had. But I didn’t know for how long because when I woke up that morning, he was gone. Not just from my room, but the house. And he hadn’t returned.
When I’d walked in the kitchen this morning, Jayda whispering something to Linc and the overly bright smile she gave me hadn’t gone unnoticed.
Luther wasn’t here, and I was beginning to think it was because of me.
The tight knot in my stomach was getting bigger, and deep breaths were starting to become difficult. I had been too clingy, too needy. I’d never had someone to cling to, and my desire to be near Luther had become too much. He’d distanced himself to get away from me.
Wincing, I swallowed the bile in my throat. I was keeping himfrom his home.
Why had I thought Luther would be different? The other men in my life before coming here had only wanted to use me for their benefit or gain. I had nothing to give Luther. My existence in his life didn’t better it. All I had been was a burden to him, and he’d been so kind that I read it wrong.
It was time for me to go even if the thought of leaving was equally painful. Mal wanted me to move to his house. And I needed to go where I was wanted, not tolerated. My welcome here was over, and Luther was making it clear he was ready for me to leave.
My eyes stung, but I had to get my emotions under control before I called Mal. He’d told me to call him. If I needed anything, he’d be here. I didn’t want to need anything from him.
I stared at the phone in my hand. It was almost eight. If I called Mal now, then he would most likely come in the morning. I’d have one more night here. One more chance to see Luther and thank him for everything he’d done for me. That was, if he came home.
Steadying myself, I did my best to lock down all the feelings swirling in my chest. I’d survived much worse than this. Opening my phone screen, I went to the Contacts and found Mal’s numbers. There were three in here. I chose the cell phone and pressed Call.
There wasn’t much time to prepare for what I would say. He answered on the first ring.
“Lace?” His voice held a trace of concern.
“Yes,” I said, then cleared my throat. “Um, I’m sorry if it is late.”
“You can call in the middle of the night. I’ll answer.”
Why that response made my eyes well up with tears I didn’t know, but it did. I blinked them back, not needing to break down like an emotionally unstable person while I was on the phonewith him.
“I, uh…I think I should move there—I mean, to your house. If that is still okay…” I stammered out the words nervously.
“I’ll be there in thirty minutes. I’m not home, so it’ll take me a little extra time, but I’m leaving now.”
“No!” I stopped him before he said more. “Not tonight. I, uh…I’m tired, and I’d like to tell everyone bye and thank them in the morning, if that’s okay.”
“You’ll see them regularly,” he said in a reassuring tone. “I know you have bonded with Jayda, and I can take you over for visits.”
I would miss Jayda and Stevie and Branwen, but they weren’t who I was hoping to see.
“Oh, I know, but I’m also tired and already dressed for bed. I called tonight in case you had plans tomorrow; this way, you have time to figure out how to fit me in.”
There was a pause of silence.
“Lace, you’re my daughter. I’ll always fit you in. And of course. Get some rest. I’ll be there first thing in the morning. We will have a family dinner tomorrow night. I’ll let the boys know. It’s time we all got to know each other.”
Locke and Gathe were easy to be around. That sounded…pleasant.
“Okay,” I replied. “Thank you.”
I heard him let out a heavy sigh. “Don’t need to thank me. But you’re welcome.”
“Good night.”
