Page 29 of Tracked By Sasquatch

Considering she was in a throuple situation with two members and was best friends with an ol’ lady, it was the smartest course.

They would expect her loyalty, but Harmon was also a girl’s girl. Her motto was gashes before ’staches. Which was both gross and endearing when she said it.

“I left you a note, in my bedroom. That way it would’ve taken you a bit to notice it after you realized I wasn’t home as usual. It should cover your ass, thanks for not hounding me, I appreciate it.”

She nodded. “Where were you all night? Get lucky?”

Devin couldn’t stop the grin or the blush that took over her face. “I spent the night with Sasquatch.”

Harmon’s jaw dropped comically. “Oh my god. Wait, he let you leave his bed to go on this mission of yours? He seems a bit more chest pounding to me, Devin. You’re mine, that type of guy.”

“A little… but I kinda snuck out and left a note.”

“Devin.” The reproach was evident in her voice.

“Don’t Devin me.”

“It’s different now. When it was just your brother, I understood, but now you have a man. The fucking literal embodiment of Bigfoot at your back and you’re leaving him out of it?”

“He’s not my man,” she mumbled.

“The fuck he’s not. He broke protocol to pin your knees to your ears, he’s your man.”

Devin didn’t have time to argue the point. Thank God Harmon only thought she was going to Nebraska to confront her mom. Devin had to leave the other part off or she would never cover for her.

“I appreciate you, I really do, but it’s not like that. It was one night, I doubt he’s head over heels for me.”

She grabbed the thermos and sandwich and headed toward the door. “Besides, I’m not the type of woman men like him settle down with. It was one night.”

She hated reducing it to that. The first part felt like a truth that was plaguing her and the second tasted bitter. It was so much more than one night for her.

Harmon caught the door before it closed and spoke to her back as she headed toward her car.

“That’s bullshit and you know it. Squatch would never have touched you if it was just one night, they have whores for that. But keep telling yourself that maybe you’ll believe it. I’ll be here when you get back holding a bottle of wine and a big ol’ fat I told you so. Be safe, chica, and call me every step of the way.”

SASQUATCH

As soon as he heard the door click closed, he opened his eyes. His little pudding cup was scared. He’d been too much and moved too fast, but he couldn’t help himself.

Nothing had ever felt as right as having Devin in his arms. He felt… worthy. And her whispered words burrowed deep into his very soul and curled up there like a contented kitten.

You’re the worthiest man I know and if my heart were whole, I’d choose you in an instant.

While he’d lain there feigning sleep, his anger was rising at her sneaking out of his bed like she was ashamed. He’d been debating whether to let his ego lead and confront her, or lay there with his wounded pride and let her leave.

His ego was about to win when she’d kissed him and spoke candidly to his sleeping form. It hit him then, she’s scared. Scared of emotions, scared maybe of her brother finding out, scared of something.

Squatch got it, he really did. Hell, he wasn’t exactly what anyone would call an emotional person. He’d been shut down for longer than not. His Aunt Phoebe had allowed it when he’d been younger, not knowing anything else to do, but she refused to let it continue as he got older. Her persistence and tears paid off, and he’d allowed himself to open up and start letting people in.

Her with those damned healing crystals and aura vibes wore him down because he loved her like a mother. Hell, she was his mother in all ways but one.

The realization that Devin was running scared, kept him from bolting out of the bed, chasing down the car she’d called, and tossing her over his shoulder caveman style.

She didn’t think she was whole, but she was, she just didn’t know it. They were two jagged pieces with broken edges, but maybe together they’d fit perfectly. So much of Devin still lived in shadows, she just needed light, and he’d provide it anyway she needed it.

Starting with her bitch of a mother. Last night, after Devin had drifted off to sleep, he’d spent what felt like a lifetime cataloging the pain written on her thighs with his hands like Braille.

He’d been planning that bitch’s demise for a long time, even before Devin came to Provo months ago from Nebraska.