She had been my rock as I jumped from home to home, and then she shattered my world the day she left.

“Morning.”

Amanda’s voice pulled me from my thoughts as I looked down at her and smiled.

“Morning, beautiful,” I said.

She blushed at my comment, and it tugged a grin across my cheeks. I looked down at her shoulder and saw the angry mark I’d left behind. I could clearly see my teeth imprinted into her skin. Amanda looked back at it and giggled, turning herself into me before she nuzzled up underneath my chin.

“Coffee?” she asked.

“Coming right now.”

I slid from the bed and pulled on some pants. Amanda’s hair was tousled against the pillow as she wrapped herself up in my sheet. She looked good in my bed, all tangled up and spread for me.

If I hadn’t been so hungry for food, I would’ve made her my breakfast.

I padded my way out to the kitchen and started making coffee. Amanda emerged a few minutes later, her beautiful body completely clothed. That fucking sweater of hers was falling off her shoulder, showing me the mark I’d left on her so people would know not to fuck with her. She was mine. Period.

Her eyes followed my line of sight to the bruise, and she turned bright pink.

“Does it hurt?” I asked.

“Not really. Looks kind of sexy, though,” she said.

I smirked as I poured her a mug of coffee.

I heard something vibrating before Amanda squeaked. I walked her coffee over to her at the table as she pulled out her phone. She smiled at me and brought the mug to her lips, sighing over the warmth before she took a sip of it.

“Thank you so much,” she whispered.

I stayed in the kitchen to give her the space she needed to take her phone call.

Whoever it was, it was someone who made her happy. I could hear her giggling and getting excited, trying to keep her voice down since Lanie was still sleeping. I heard something akin to clapping taking place before she said goodbye, then I went to sit down across from her as she stuffed her phone back into her pocket.

“Good news?” I asked.

“That was my friend, Sarah. She didn’t know if she was going to be able to fly in this week because of work, but she can! She gets in this afternoon.”

“Will you still be able to watch Lanie tomorrow?” I asked.

“Oh, definitely. She’s not staying with me. She’s too scared of the cabin right now. She’ll be in a hotel at the bottom of the mountain.”

“What’s wrong with your cabin?” I asked.

I watched her face falter just a bit before she brushed off the question.

“It’s fine. She’s just a little high maintenance . But she’s bringing all my art stuff with her, which is exciting because I have so many ideas running through my head from the hike.”

“Sounds like a good friend,” I said.

“She’s the best. I met her my freshman year of college.”

“Roommates?” I asked.

“Yep. And Greek sisters,” she said.

“I didn’t take you for the sorority type at all.”

“Fraternity, and we aren’t really. We went to Greek Week on campus, got invited to rush, and we ended up joining Phi Sigma Pi. It’s the honor’s fraternity. Because we were smart or something.”

“Or something,” I said, grinning.

“I should probably get going and get cleaned up. Can I take the coffee to go and return the mug to you tomorrow?” “You’re leaving?” I asked, disappointment creeping into my chest.

“Well, Lanie saw me in these clothes yesterday. You think she’ll notice if I’m wearing the same ones?”

She had a point, but I didn’t want her to leave yet.

“She might not notice. She’s only three,” I said.

“Are you willing to take that chance?” she asked.

It was comforting that she was looking out for Lanie like this. We hadn’t exactly planned our encounter, and I’m glad that she cared enough to not want to confuse my niece.

Still, I wasn’t ready for it to be over.

“I’ll see you tomorrow morning, then,” I said.

She got up from the table and bent over, kissing me on the top of my head.

“See you tomorrow,” she said.

“And have fun with your friend.”

“I will. I promise. We always have fun.”

She bounded out the front door, and I was alone again.

I walked over to the window and watched Amanda all the way back to her house. Her hips swayed lightly, and the loose tendrils of her hair blew in the wind. She disappeared over the horizon, and I sighed. I really hadn’t wanted her to leave, and that stirred up feelings I wasn’t ready to deal with.

A call to Jack would do me some good, so I went in search of my phone.

“I was wondering when the fuck I’d hear from you next,” Jack said.

“Nice to talk with you, too,” I said.

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