Page 46 of Truck Stop Titan

What a fucking bitch the real world could be.

“Moriah.”

“Yeah?”

“You could stay the summer. Give Mim more time to heal.” What the fuck was I asking?

“I can’t. I have to get home. Get Mim settled. Find a job. I have to get back to my life.”

“Back to the real world,” I mumbled into her hair.

She sighed.

I wanted to punch something.

Instead, I begged, “Stay with me tonight.”

With a yawn, she replied, “Yeah. A sleepover. I’d love that.”

Moriah

“DID YOU GUYS HAVEa fun sleepover?” I pushed my plate away, the scrambled eggs untouched, the pancake missing only two bites.

Mim shot a sideways glance at Rocky. Rocky shoved a forkful of pancake into his mouth, nodding.

Lettie yawned. “They were giggling all night long. It’s not fair, really, how they can be so chipper this morning.” She lifted her mug to her mouth and winked at me over the rim.

Mim turned her head away, as if trying to hide her smile.

“So.” Tango strode into the room, rubbing his hands together, like priming for a secret he couldn’t wait to share. “Since today is our last full day together, I thought you guys would like to go out on the boat for a few hours.”

Rocky hopped in his seat, dropping his utensil. “Fishing?”

“Well, little man, the fishing boat isn’t big enough for all of us. I was thinkingourboat would be more fun.”

He shot his dad a glare. “We don’t have a boat.”

“We do now.” Tucker strode in, his blond hair a tousled mess, his blue eyes blazing, his jeans hanging low on his waist, and a Metallica tee hugging him in all the right places. Truly, the man belonged in a California tourism commercial. “Dad and Tito are backing her into the water as we speak.”

“What’s going on?” Rocky lowered his voice, cocking his head.

Tango squatted to Rocky’s level. Winked. “We bought a boat big enough for everyone.”

“Oh, my God.” Rocky clutched his chest. “A fast one?”

“Oh yeah.” Tango nodded, fighting a smile.

Rocky tackled his dad. Tucker jumped in, grabbed the boy by his waist, and flipped him upside down, dusting the floor with his black hair.

“Mim! We get to go on the boat.” Rocky squealed, then laughed a deep, throaty, infectious laugh.

I was so enthralled by the interaction between the boys, I hadn’t noticed Mim scooting closer. But Lord have mercy, did I feel every inch of her when she snuggled against my side and laid her head on my chest, seeking comfort. With me.

Tears bloomed, a few escaping, a slow glide down my cheek before I caught them with my knuckle.

I ducked my head, swallowed the threatening emotional breakdown, and whispered, “Do you want to go on the boat, Mim?”

She fisted the hem of my shirt.

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