I don’t care that this is new and unplanned. It’s here, and it’s happening. I have feelings for this woman that I’m not yet ready to deal with. In my gut, I know I want her to stay, to be a permanent fixture in my life. But my head is protesting, trying to force me to listen to the logical, practical Koa like I always do.
Well, fuck that.
I want to introduce her to my kids and take her to meet my mom and Bill. For the first time in years, I want to make music and write songs. And, most shocking of all, I can picture a future that doesn’t include me being alone.
I just need to convince Gracie that this is the God’s honest truth and I’m not just saying it to make her feel better about our slip up last night.
I don’t care if she’s pregnant. I don’t care if there’s a miracle happening inside her, that cells might be dividing, our baby being made.
I’ve been responsible and done the right thing my entire life, and this might not be the best of times to act irresponsibly, but I don’t fucking care. I want to plan a future with a woman that I’ve only known a little over a week and don’t give a fuck about anyone else’s views or opinions on the matter.
This past week has made me realise just how lonely I’ve been since my divorce. Bourbon has been my only friend and not a very good one. That shit needs to end.
Gracie’s arrival has brought me back to life. She’s cute, funny, hot-headed, and stubborn. But she’s also blunt, honest, and possibly the most interesting person I’ve ever met.
I was just going through life, trying to do right by my kids and be the best dad I could be. Not thinking too much beyond that. Thenshearrived. Gracie, with her funky hair, inked skin, cockney accent, and sexy little outfits, literally crashed into my life, head, and heart.
Almost since the night I met her, all I’ve thought is,Shit, I’m so fucked. I’ve tried to dismiss it. Tried to make out like it wasn’t there. That I haven’t been thinking and feeling the things that I have, but it’s been like a tune or a song that I just can’t get out of my head, and I can’t ignore it any longer.
Gracie’s phone vibrates on my nightstand, and I pick it up. If it’s that fucker of an ex of hers, I’m gonna answer and tell him to quit calling. He had his chance.
“You snooze, you lose motherfucker,” I say quietly while looking at the screen.
It’s Kod, so I answer the call.
“Oi. Oi, fanny flaps,” a raspy female voice thunders into my ear. Gracie stirs next to me.
“How’s life in bumfuck nowhere with the cock-sucking cowboy?”
Cock-sucking cowboy? And what in the ever-loving fuck is a fanny flap?
“Morning, Gracie’s phone.” My voice is hoarse from sleep, and I sound even raspier than the person calling as I answer.
“Oh shit.”
“No, this is Koa.”
“Ha, he has a sense of humour.”
“I’m doing my best, considering it’s only a little after five in the morning.”
“Well, it’s good to know you can do that, Cowboy, coz that’s just what my girl Gracie needs. Someone that can make her laugh.”
“Oh, I make her laugh, don’t you go worrying your pretty little head about that, darlin’.”
Yeah, I lay on the accent, suddenly sounding Southern.
“Oh, fuck me, no wonder she’s not answering her phone when she’s got you to listen to all day. That accent is banging, dude. Say something else, please?”
“Who’s that?”
Gracie croaks from beside me.
“Kod,” I mouth. Gracie frowns.
“Such as?” I ask into the phone.
“Well, you can start by telling me what your intentions are towards my mate. You’ve got her all in a tizzy, and I don’t wanna be coming over there to kick your denim-clad arse if you’re just gonna behave like a fuck boy.”