Page 49 of Hard to Love

“Thank you!” He winks, adding that mischievous grin of his.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Hardy

One stands on his stoop, hands in pockets, watching her leave. She’s so broken, and it’s all because of me. I’ve fucked up in so many ways. I should’ve run to her and begged for her forgiveness. Thayer cried for an hour, and it broke my heart to watch.

Movement from the corner of my eye startles me. I jump before I realize it’s One, standing next to my truck. Rolling down the window, he leans against the door with his arms folded. Taking my sleeve, I wipe away the tears.

“Why don’t you talk to her? She needs you,” he says in a soft voice; my best friend’s heart even hurts over this.

“And say what? ‘I fucked up. I love you.’ I’ve had this same conversation with Chord; there’s nothing more to add. What’s worse, there isn’t anything I can say.” Continuing to dry my face, new tears spring to my eyes.

“I know it’s not easy, but you have to do something. Say something. Not everyone can kill someone to prove their love. Hadlea’s the only badass who can pull it off.” He chuckles as he tries to lighten the mood.

“Yeah, you got that right. But I’d be willing to off that fucker, Walker.” I hit the steering wheel with my fist.

“Why? Because he’s man enough to take care of her?” I wrench my head in his direction as I level him with a glare.

“What the fuck, asshole? I fucked up, I know!” I’m yelling at him while tears fall rapidly.

“Then fucking do something about it before my sister fucks her life up. Goddamn. Do you think you’re the only person who has fucked up? Well, sit back and watch Thayer. She’s about to ruin her life because of you, mother fucker.” One pushes away from my truck but not before punching it.

He’s right. All of this is happening because I can’t get my shit together. Starting my truck, I pull out on the road and begin to drive. My mind racing a million miles an hour. Seeing her shattered kills me. If it were anyone else, I would hurt them for making her cry. But she’s the one who agreed to marry him. Am I supposed to run and save her?

Driving on autopilot, I’m pulling onto her street before I even realize it. Her truck is in the drive, so is his car. Slowing, I peer in as I coast by. They sit on her steps, her between his legs as she plays with a Collie puppy. Thayer laughs as the puppy attacks her, licking her all over.

I chuckle when the pup laps at her open mouth, essentially kissing Thayer. That’s when I realize I’ve almost stopped on the road. I speed up, taking the corner too fast. My truck tires squeal as it completes the turn. I’m out of sight by the time I begin to breathe again.

The sandy gravel makes almost no sound as I come to a stop by our bog. Still, Creek will always be our place. We planned our lives here, decided on how long before we would marry and how many kids we would have in the future.

That’s all gone now because I’m an asshole. I’m not sure why they don’t understand I’m no good for her. I was a drug-addicted teen with a pregnant, addict wife who died while selfishly getting clean instead of finding her and taking her with me.

No. No one could make Erica do a damn thing. We were married in name only. For fuck’s sake, I left because I hadn’t seen her in days. We were both having to take drug tests for the state. They had been threatening to take the kid if it was born addicted too. The life we were living wasn’t a life for a baby anyway.

Laying over in my seat, I think about Thayer. The little Collie puppy was so happy to be in her arms. I guess he bought it for her. Damn. I’m a mess. Why do I keep doing this to us? She loves me, and I can’t even stay away from her. I love her so much.

My phone buzzes twice before I can dig it from my pants. Clearing my eyes enough to focus on the screen, I finally see it’s my only friend in the world right now. He has Lulu right now. He keeps her most days; living outta my truck isn’t easy on her.

“Hey, man, sorry. I’ll be over there soon. I just needed a minute; it’s been a rough day,” I say immediately as I answer the call.

“No worries, man. You out at the bog?” He laughs lightly.

“Yeah. It’s our place.” I sigh as I reply to him.

“It still can be, you know that, right?” He’s too young to be insightful.

“I don’t know, man. She found out today that I’m here. She didn’t take it well.” Again with the fucking tears. I wipe them away as fast as possible.

“You know, there’s an engagement party tomorrow night?” he mutters under his breath.

“Where?” I ask, sitting ramrod straight in my seat.

“Our parents’ house, where did you think?” Chuckling again, Chord needs his ass kicked.

“Like I’d be invited.” I laugh with him.

“I need a date.” I shake my head as I full-on smile at his wayward thoughts.