Don't Forget Me Tomorrow(32)
“Guess so.”
Only I was feeling the exact thing that was clearly rolling through Cody.
The need to hunt.
Track this fucker down.
End him before he had the chance to taint the beauty that was Dakota.
“That’s bullshit.” His words were shards.
I huffed out a raw sound. “If I had any idea which direction to look, you could bet your ass I’d be looking.”
His nod was tight. “Know you would. Always can trust you to have Dakota’s back. Her best interest at heart.”
He was back to looking at me the way he’d been in her office the other day. Like he might be speculating there was something that went deeper than that.
“Pretty cool of you to let her stay at your house until this blows over.” How he made it both come out as gratitude and a threat, I didn’t know.
“You know I’d do anything for her.”
He barely nodded, but there was something disbelieving behind it. “She looks at you like you’re a fucking saint walking on water.”
I tried to ignore the insinuation. Refusing to take it in as truth. But I’d be a liar if I denied it. The way she did look at me. The way she felt. The way she’d let me crawl all over her if I asked. The way she’d let me take.
But I wasn’t worthy of that, and Cody never hesitated to point that out.
He didn’t know the details.
But he knew I was dirty.
And I would never be fucking good enough for his baby sister. I was well aware of it myself without him needing to remind me.
I scrubbed a palm over my face. “No, man. We’ve just always been close. You know that.”
Air puffed from his nose, and he pushed from the table. “Just keep it that way, and we won’t have a problem, yeah?”
Fuck.
“Don’t have to tell me, Cody.”
He gave a quick nod and released a heavy breath. “Sorry, man. I’m just…twisted up over this. Can’t stand the idea of something bad happening to her.”
“Neither can I.”
That time, his nod was accepting. “I appreciate you always being there for her. For always being there for me.”
“Of course. You’re my best friend. We’re family.”
At least that’s what I’d always considered him. All of them.
“All right, I’ll let you get back to work. I just needed to see if you had any different thoughts.”
“If I hear anything different, I’ll keep you posted.”
He stepped forward and gave me a quick hug with a clap to the back. “Love you, brother,” he said.
“What’s not to love?” I had to get in the ribbing.
Cody laughed. “Always so fucking cocky.”
I pucked him a grin before I returned his hug, voice turning low. “Love you, brother. Always.”
He clapped me on the back once more before he turned and weaved back through the shop.
I scratched at the back of my neck as I watched him go. It wasn’t like it was the first time we’d shared words like this.
But it might have been the first time I wanted to tell him to fuck off. Tell him he didn’t have the first clue what I would really do for her.
I glanced at the car sitting in the third bay.
What I needed to remember was he was right. I couldn’t have her. Not when I’d already given it all away.
My heart thudded an erratic beat.
Not unless I could fucking get it back.
SIXTEEN
DAKOTA
“Here you are, two Starlight Speckled Sugar Cookies and a large coffee.”
I handed the white paper sack and disposable cup to the man who waited for his order at the bakery counter. I always added the daily bakery specials to a smaller version of the same chalkboard that sat out at the front of the dining room, only this one was tiny enough that it sat on top of the counter next to the register.
Today’s Cookie: Starlight Speckled Sugar Cookies.
It was written in the swirling font I loved to write with, and I’d drawn a big tree with a moon hanging above it and had dotted the sky with stars. Then I’d added three squiggle lines of a stream running through.
My chest constricted as I thought of those nights, the way I’d believed Ryder was the only person in the world who could really understand me.
The only one who could really see.
I’d thought that maybe I’d been the same for him.
“Thank you,” the older gentleman said.
“Any time. I hope you come again.” As soon as I was finished with his order, I eased back along the counter to find I had two new customers sitting in the stools at the bar.
Paisley was grinning at me, as smug as could be, and Evelyn was propped on the stool next to her.
“I figured you would be missing my face by now. I mean, how could you not?” Paisley waved at herself.
“It’s been two whole days, and you know I have most definitely not been missing your face.” I sent her my best glare, even though it was hard to back it with any real anger.
“Did you miss my face, Auntie Dakota?” Evelyn peeped up, a little concerned and not understanding the playful animosity. The little girl sat on her knees so she could see over the counter, her brown hair a mess the way it always was, wild and falling in her eyes. She used both hands to try to shove it out of the way as she peered up at me.