Page 140 of Hollywood

“Not really,” I said. “I just tried to hide it.”

“You were pretty damn good at it,” he grumbled.

I winced. “Sorry.”

My sister smiled at us both. “Well, you got there in the end. That’s what counts, right?”

I gazed into Hollywood’s soft hazel eyes. He had taken such good care of me today. Forgiven my mistakes. Lavished me with love. Held me while I cried. Stood by me while I faced my truth. I couldn’t imagine loving anyone more.

Ever.

“Yeah,” I said softly. “We did.”

CHAPTER 30

Tex

The firepit blazedagainst a darkening night when we walked up to the lot next to Ghost’s place Monday night.

Ruby rode on my shoulders, using my hair as handlebars, and Hollywood broke into laughs every time he looked at us.

“Just wait until she wants to mess up your hair,” I grumbled, wincing as she tugged on a strand to regain her balance. “You won’t be so pretty.”

Holly swatted my side. “Take that back. I’m always pretty.”

I grinned. “Yeah. You’re my pretty boy, all right.”

We passed by Joyride’s big yellow Hummer and crossed the lot, mostly dirt and weeds aside from the area I’d cleared and tilled for the spring garden. Knight worked the grill this time, while Ghost, Aiden, and Joyride sat around the fire with drinks in their hands.

Joyride and Ghost held bottles of Miller—Knight must have supplied the drinks tonight—but Aiden sipped from ared plastic cup, which probably contained a margarita. He wasn’t a fan of beer.

“Hey, guys,” Knight called. “About time you got here. We were ready to send out a search party.”

“I was the search party,” Joyride added. “So, I’m glad you’re here.”

“Sorry,” Holly said. “I stayed a bit late at work to talk to my boss about picking up some extra weekend shifts.”

Those words sat like rocks in my gut. Hollywood wanted us to solve this problem together and we would—but I’d caused it alone and I hated that I couldn’t fix it without dragging him into it.

My hand clenched on his involuntarily. He nudged me with his shoulder. “We’ll get through it.”

“I know.” I forced myself to relax. “You’re right. I’m glad you didn’t kick my ass to the curb.”

“I would never,” Hollywood said seriously.

He’d told me as much before, and I believed him. I did. It’s just that those old insecurities weren’t totally gone. I liked to hear him say it, liked the reminders that he really loved me as much as I loved him.

We’d attended the Redemption Road meeting yesterday, and as soon as it wrapped up, I’d chased Ghost down in the parking lot to ask about snagging a few hours of park maintenance that evening. He already knew about my rent troubles, so he agreed.

But it would take a lot more hours to make a dent in what I owed on the rent. We’d be pushing Nina’s patience and accruing a crap ton of late fees. But at least we’d be doing it together.

I swung Ruby down and set her loose. There was a barrier around the fire to ensure she and Knight’s dog wouldbe safe. They reunited like lost friends, his tongue whipping out to lick her face. She giggled and tugged on his ears.

A match made in heaven.

Hollywood smiled while he watched them, and I couldn’t help but watch him. I’d called him a pretty boy, and he really was with those cheekbones, full lips, and warm brown eyes. But he was so much more, too.

I still couldn’t believe how lucky I was to have someone stand by me, even during the rough patches, ready to love me through anything.