Page 106 of Mine Forever
I kick his foot. “You fucker.”
He laughs and sips his coffee.
Staring out the windows to the ocean beyond, I absently scratch behind the kitten’s ears.
No one ever told me life would be fair. Or that it would be easy.
And if I get my head out of my ass long enough to think about it, I’ve had a more than fair life.
Because shit happens. People die. Freak accidents occur.
The media loses interest and you can move on with your life.
Lucas is right.
Do I want to be alone in a big house and think of all that could have been?
Or do I want to live out my days with Eden—if she’ll take me back—and build a life with her?
Isn’t whatever time I have with her better than none at all?
The demon with my father’s voice that I’ve lived with my whole life is kicking and screaming at me to be scared, to choose safety.
To not let anyone in because I’m not worth the trouble.
Baseball is the only thing I’ve ever been good at and even that has been taken from me.
Even if Eden tells me to go straight to hell without collecting two hundred dollars, I’ll at least know the demon can no longer hold me bound to my past.
My heart surges with hope, and I stand so abruptly I almost drop the kitten. “I’m sorry, I need to go.”
Lucas stands, a dubious look on his face. “You okay? Need a ride?”
“I’m good and no, I could use the walk to clear my head. It’s just a couple of miles. I have a plan.” I hand him the kitten. “Here’s your cat.”
He holds his hands up. “No way, she’s yours now.”
When I cuddle the little thing against my chest, she crawls up and settles into the crook of my neck.
I chuckle. “Yeah, I guess so. Hey, man. Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For everything. For putting me up last night, for not kicking my ass even though I’m sure I deserved it.”
He simply nods once. “Get the hell out of here and go get your girl.”
We do the one arm bro-hug thing and I leave, walking along the beachfront road that will lead to my house.
“Well, I didn’t expect to come home with a cat, but here we are. You just need a name.”
When I get home, my head is clear and my plan is solid.
Step one. Call my agent.
“Liz Fallon.”
“Liz? It’s Chase.”
