Page 44 of A Forever Love
“Also, avoid saying ‘tormented man in love’ to his face.”
She finally collapses onto the couch beside me, throwing her hands up in the air. “Fine! In that case, get me a few tubs of ice cream, some romantic movies, oversized sweaters, and blankets. I’m in need of a good wallowing session.”
“What the heck is that nonsense?” My hands pause, and I look up to find her rolling her eyes.
“This is how girls drown their sorrows after a breakup. For me, Clementine and Dad not talking to each other is like my own heartbreak. So go fetch me all that.” She pushes me off the couch like an errand boy.
“I’m doing no such thing. If your heart is truly breaking, I’ll teach you the King way to patch it up.”
“The manly way, you mean?” Merida wiggles her nose, a gesture she’s recently picked up from Clementine. She does it whenever she wants to express her displeasure about a situation.
That Clementine is ruining my favorite girl with her ridiculous habits.
“No, the King way. It’s how my grandmother unwinds whenever she’s upset.”
“How?”
I finally manage to capture her full attention. Like everyone else, she isn’t immune to Meryl King’s charm. I pick up my unloaded gun from the table and point it toward the wall. “Shooting.”
Thirty minutes later, I find myself at the shooting range, standing behind Merida. “First rule, never think of this as power in your hands. It’s a responsibility, and I hope you never have to wield it outside of a shooting range.”
“If you’re finished with the lecture, can we get to the action?” She glances back at me.
I chuckle. “Sure. Let’s officially welcome you to the badass club, kid.”
“I’m already a badass, and I’m not a kid.”
* * *
“God, mittens, you were anything but a kid back then. But now…fuck, this is all messed up.” I set the iPad aside, closing my eyes for a moment.
The next time my eyes open, it’s already eight and my body is all cramped up from unsuccessfully fitting my frame on the couch. When I get up, my back hurts like a…well, sore back.
It takes me fifteen minutes to get ready, and when I step out, there’s no sign of Merida. I ring her doorbell just as Sam steps out of the elevator.
“Mr. King, I’m glad I caught you in time.” He approaches me, but I have my own question for him.
“Sam, did you see Merida today?”
The old man’s eyes light up. “Yes, sir. She left a little early for work this morning.”
“Oh. Was there something you needed from me?” If Mere’s gone, he must be here to meet me then.
“Just wanted to let you know that your doorbell will be fixed today.” He motions toward my doorbell, which is broken, a fact I realized only yesterday after my encounter with Merida in my bathroom.
I take a step toward the elevator, but before hitting the call button, I look over my shoulder. “Sam, leave the bell as it is for now.”
He looks at me with confusion before giving a nod. “As you wish, sir.”
The moment the door of the elevator closes, my phone chimes, alerting me of an incoming text. I grimace at the sight of Shawn Hades’ name.
This asshole is determined to disrupt my peace these days. I’m about to put my phone away when something inside me, perhaps an ill-timed curiosity or heightened alertness, makes me hit play on the audio he’s sent. The car stops on the ground floor, but my feet remain rooted to the spot as I hear Shawn’s voice, speaking to the person I least expect—Merida.
13
MERIDA
“Here you are—a cinnamon iced latte and a caffé mocha.” The waitress at Steamy Beans hands me my order.