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He stops a foot away. “I prepared a bunch of shit I wanted to say to you, but now that you’re standing in front of me, it’s gone. I can’t remember a goddamn word. Feels like we haven’t talked in years, not days.”
“We have some practice with that.”
“Don’t remind me,” he replies.
I take a step toward him without thinking, and his gaze grows hungry.
“I figured that I wouldn’t have the words,” Cash says, and reaches into the back pocket of his jeans. He extracts a letter and gives it to me. “This is for you.”
I take it from him and our fingers touch. It’s electric.
I glance past him at the house, checking that the kids aren’t watching from the front window. We haven’t told Alex anything.
“June,” he murmurs, “I’m sorry for what I did the other night.” He hesitates, running a hand through his hair and laughing under his breath. “I’m not sorry that I hit that dumb motherfucker. Anyone who lays a hand on the person I love will get what’s coming to them, but I am—”
“The person you love?”
He smiles at me, a softness taking over harsh features usually drawn into a scowl. “I’m sorry that I interfered. I’m sorry that I made it seem like I don’t trust that you can look after yourself.”
My insides twist.
“I know you can look after yourself. I believe in you, June, I always have. I just struggle to contain myself around you. Sometimes, I wonder how far I would go to protect you, protect Alex. To the ends of the earth. To dark places if need be.”
“I don’t want that,” I say immediately, still shaken by his earlier comment. “I want you to be safe. That would make me happy.”
“I know you don’t like conflict,” Cash says, “and I should have just pulled him off you and called the cops. Should’ve done the rational thing. For that, I’m sorry.”
“Thank you,” I say.
I’m at a loss for words. I’ve never seen Cash lose control like that. Not once in our time as friends, maybe because nothing that he really cared about was ever threatened.
“If me backing off will make you happy, I’ll do that. I’ll do whatever you need me to do. I can’t imagine my life without you, June, but if you’re going to leave, I’ll respect it.” He leans in and brushes a kiss across my cheek. He walks past me.
It takes all my energy not to go knock-kneed like a fool. Because whether I like to admit it or not, I am a fool for Cash.
His pickup starts, and he drives off, waving as he takes to the street.
The letter is still in my hand, and I open it greedily.
Dear June,
I’m sorry for acting like an asshole. I want to make it up to you.
Please meet me tonight at eight at Old Miller Road, near the entry to the trail that leads up to Diver’s Point.
Cash.
I frown. His solution is to ask me to meet him at the quarry that nearly killed me twice? I’m too intrigued not to go, but it’s a strange request.
Regardless, I trust Cash, and I want to go. I want to find out why he’s put his dad’s place up for sale.
“June, are you coming?” Alex appears on the front porch.
“Coming, honey,” I call out, and then I walk over to join her. She hugs me and grins up at me.
“I missed you,” she says.
“I missed you too. Ready to rock out?”
