Page 52 of Luci’s Lullaby

She folds her arms. “Oh, really? Mind explaining how that is exactly because the last time we spoke, it was all about you.”

“Charlee, I’m only saying we should be friends because we both know,” I wave my fingers between us, “this will never work.”

She raises her brows. “Now see, that just pisses me off. Who the hell are you to decide what works for me?”

“I’m only thinking of you.” I shrug. “That’s a lie, I’m thinking of myself.”

“I’m so surprised!” She covers her mouth.

I sigh. “Please, I want us to be friends.”

“Which is perfectly fine, but I can’t just erase what happened. I don’t want to.” The familiar ache when she’s around rears its ugly head.

“Then don’t.” I bite and release my lip. “So are we friends?”

She turns her head, staring out the door. “We’ll see, I can’t make any promises.”

“Fair enough.” She yanks the door open and heads out. I watch as she walks to her car and pulls away. “That seems to be the problem here, I can’t forget you either.”

I’m parking at Food Lion when my phone vibrates. Pulling it out as I slide from my seat, I don’t recognize the number, so I let it go to voicemail and shove it back in. I’m expecting Cid to call; they’re on the way here, and I need to finish shopping.

I walk through the doors, closing my eyes as the cool air hits me in the face, and it’s a welcome relief from the summer heat. “God, that feels good,” I mutter to myself.

“It’s called air conditioning, we need it in the South to stay cool.” My eyes pop open and dart to the blonde standing across from me with a look of concern on her face.

“Really? I had no clue what this devilish deception was,” I say with a twang.

She searches the ceiling before smirking. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but I do believe it’s coming from the heavens.”

I hold my hand toward the vent with wide eyes. “I think you’re right, the gods have chosen us to shine down upon today.”

“Wow, where you from, country boy?” She giggles, revealing a megawatt smile.

“Southern West Virginia, I moved down here a little over a year ago with my best friend.”

“That explains the accent.” She winks at me as I walk over to her.

“I don’t have an accent, darlin’, y’all do.”

“Ain’t that the truth, we all do.” She bites her lip before offering her hand. “Charlee.”

I tilt my head, gazing into her blue eyes. “So, this is how we’re gonna do this, okay.” I take her hand. “Alden.”

“That’s huge!” She widens her eyes as she stares down at my pants… to the grocery order in my hand.

“Oh, yeah. Big brother coming to town, I’m pickin’ up some grub.” My phone vibrates again. “Excuse me.” I pull it out, checking it to find the same number again.

“Girlfriend?” Her brows raise.

I frown when a sharp pain knocks the breath out of me. “No, I’m not sure, but I better take this; it’s the second time in the last few minutes.” I hit answer. “Alden Beck.”

“Mister Beck are you the brother to a Cidney Beck?” a deep voice asks.

“Yes, is something wrong?”

“I’m Doctor Griffin with Wake Med in Raleigh. We have your brother and his wife here; they were in a car accident. How soon can you get here?” My knees buckle.

I swallow hard, trying to find my breath. “I’m a few hours away. Are they alright?”