Page 58 of His Daggered Heart

I feel tears welling in my own eyes. “Levi, don’t make me cry, you big softy.” I look up at him and wink. “You are the best big brother a girl could ever ask for, and I don’t know why we met but I’m so fucking glad we did.” He releases me and Cora walks toward me slowly.

We stare at each other for a few moments, and then she gently embraces me. Our bodies shudder as we release the tears that made us. The pain that shaped us. Emotions from our past surge through me like overflow and images of my mom appear in my mind. The one thing I never stop hoping for, her being sober and healthy. Showing up here, to apologize, and tell me she loves me, that I was worth it, that she was just fucked up. I know that will never happen. She is too selfish for that.

As always, Cora reads my mind. “Dahlia didn’t deserve a daughter like you and if I was her, I would regret every fucking moment I wasn’t there. And she will, Alex, one day she will.” She pulls back, staring into my eyes and clutching my face in her small hands. “You are so strong, so beautiful, so worthy of all the things, and I’m so fucking sorry she didn’t give you what you needed, but look at you, best friend. Look at this beautiful life you are building. I am so fucking proud. So, fuck her.”

She steps back, wiping her tears and Levi embraces her, kissing her cheek.

“You said a cuss word for me,” is all I can say, half-laughing and half-crying.

“Oh hush,” she commands. “We just had a heartfelt moment and that’s all you can say in response?” She clicks her tongue. “Besides, I cuss.”

“No, I just mean that you were so passionate about what you were saying, and love me so much that you cussed. I love when you cuss,” I say. “It’s cute. I love you, C.”

“Fine, yes I love you so much I would cuss the whole world out. Now can we please go eat? I’m starving and I’m eating for two here!” Let the Kohra banter begin. I decided to give them a ship name, I love watching their friendship.

Right on time, Kohen starts, “The baby isn’t even the size of a bean yet, Cora. How could it possibly need a whole burger to itself?” he laughs. She storms out of the room, arguing with Kohen hot on her heels as Levi and I gather our items and head out the door behind the loves of our lives.

Chapter 37

Alex

Weallridetogetherto the restaurant. Cora and Levi are in the back seat talking. Kohen has his hand all the way inside the holes of my ripped jeans, his thumb rubbing the soft skin there absentmindedly. I sit in the middle seat, right next to him. I always tease that he needs to get a bud and sissy license plate. It’s like he needs me to be as close to him as I can without actually climbing inside his body. The obsession with me is unreal.

I guess I should be grateful, especially after the way I’ve been treated in the past. Not just by Walker but by men in general. Kohen and Levi are the exception, the rest of the male population is the rule. They are all assholes. Well, Kohen is an asshole, but he is my asshole, and he isn’t a true one to me.

I place my hand over his, staring at his profile. He must feel my stare on him because he glances at me, a little smirk on his lips. “You okay, angel?” he asks.

“I’m perfect,” I respond simply, snuggling into his shoulder.

“Yes, you are.” He leans in to kiss my forehead. “I love you,” he whispers.

And I smile, looking up at him through my lashes. “I love you too, handsome.”

“Where are we eating?” Cora asks.

“Somewhere good,” Kohen says, defeated.

“Good because you little jerks…” She pokes Levi on the shoulder and then Kohen. “...went to the darn Cheesecake Factory without us, so naturally you owe us.” I shut my eyes and laugh, soaking in all the moments with the people I love.

Kohen

I press on the gas and turn the music up. I am so fucking proud of my girl. I can’t believe all the things we have been through in such a short time. I would go through it all again if it means I end up with her by my side. Watching her today had all these feelings rushing through me, solidifying our engagement.

We pull into the parking lot and Cora and Levi climb out quickly. Alex looks over at me and I have to say something. “Every moment we have lived in our young lives has led us here, to this moment, to these people,” I say, looking out at our friends.

She nods. “They did.” She pauses. “Also, I feel like ever since we got back together, we have been hit with thing after thing…”

Interrupting us, the door handle rattles as Levi tries to open it for her. I can hear Cora outside. “Levi, let Kohen open it, you silly, silly man.”

“I just want to be helpful,”‘ he responds back. It’s been hard for him to move out of the role he has played in her life for the past few months but I know it’s not his fault, it’s mine.

“Hold that thought, angel, before Levi has a heart attack.” She giggles in response. “Levi.” I nod as I come around the car. Cora snuffs her laughter. I open Alex’s door for her. “Come on, angel.”

“Such a gentleman,” she jokes.

“Y’all suck”, Levi says. “I was just tryna be nice. Kohen takes forever to get out of the truck.”

“I have always opened her door for her anyway, you just didn’t know that,” I say with fake annoyance.