Page 100 of Sugar & Ink
I leaned closer. “You tell her nobody else would want her?”
Bruce swallowed. The guy wasn’t stupid. He knew if he lied, I was gonna know. “I said things.”
My vision narrowed.
“I was angry,” he said. “I said things I didn’t mean.”
“You’re a fucking idiot,” Skid spat.
“I know.”
That surprised me.
Bruce looked down. “I know.” Not defensive or cocky. Just sad. “I know now I treated Josie like shit. I should have ended things with her a longtime ago, but I didn’t.”
“You fumbled, man,” Cash said. “Like, fucking fumbled.”
Bruce winced.
“Whatever shit you told her?” I pointed toward my chest. “I’m fixing all that.”
His eyes lifted.
“I’m letting her know every day that she’s funny. Beautiful. Worth loving.” My chest tightened. “That she’s the best fucking thing in this world, no thanks to the fucking bullshit you fed her for years. And honestly?” I laughed softly. “I’m not good enough for her.”
Bruce blinked, surprised.
I shrugged. “But damn if I’m not selfish enough to keep her.”
Bruce nodded, “She deserves that.”
I stared at him. The answer pissed me off, because where the fuck was this self-awareness when they were married? Not that I wasn’t thankful he had fumbled her so badly, but he could have been a little nicer to her, so I didn’t have to work so hard for her to see how amazing she was.
I pointed at him. “You ever contact her again...” His smile disappeared. “You ever try to make her feel small again...” I took one more step. “You ever think for a second you deserve another chance...” Bruce swallowed. Hard. “I’ll rearrange your face.”
Cash nodded. “He’s not kidding.”
Mack crossed his arms. “I’d help.”
Skid sighed. “I hate agreeing with these idiots, but yeah.”
Bruce looked at all four of us, then slowly nodded. “I won’t.”
I didn’t think he wanted Josie back. I think he finally realized exactly what he lost, and that was too bad for him because she was mine now.
I turned and headed back toward my bike.
Cash fell into step beside me.
“So.”
I glanced over. “What?”
“You called her baby like six times.”
“Shut up.”
“You love her.”
