“What hospital?” I ask. Frisco steps up. Reaching out to grab my shoulders, I pull away from him. I’m pissed at all these shit-heads for keeping this from us.

“Doll, calm down. I get your fuckin’ pissed. I’ll tell you where he is but you gotta calm down, honey.”

“Calm down. What the hell?” Sass says staring each one of these large men down. “Tell me where the fuck he is so I can see for my damn self what ‘it doesn’t look good’ means.”

Frisco takes my keys, offering to drive us and fill us in on the ride. Without another word to anyone, we turn and climb in my Camaro. To hell with all of them, there was no reason to keep all of this from us.

Watching Doll walk away crushes me. She never looks back as she gets in the car and leaves. No goodbye, no see ya around. No, she got in her car and left. I spend a few minutes talking general business with Roundman. Handing off the girls bags to a prospect to put in their place to stay, I’m officially done with this task.

“You alright, Tripp? Anything you need to tell me?” Roundman asks, looking at me as if he knows everything. He’s looking at me like he reads me. He knows I fucked his daughter. I don’t like feeling exposed.

“Nah, Roundman. I’m tired, gotta get back to Catawba.” I say getting ready to turn and leave. His voice stops me.

“She’ll come around, Talon. Give it time. Then you and I will have a talk.” Without another word, he turns away from me, conversation over.

I climb in my truck, absolutely deflated, and make the return drive home. It’s after midnight before I pull in. Ten hours on the road round trip, and all the emotions and craziness of the day I want nothing more than to shower and sleep. Climbing in my bed, her scent engulfs me. Knowing I won’t be able to sleep, I head down stairs and crash on the couch. Managing a few hours of shuteye, even if it was filled with dreams of Doll, is better than none.

Morning comes. My first morning in a month without her, loneliness is already creeping in. Calling to check on Tank, I find out the girls stayed at the hospital all night by his bed. The doctors can’t say if he’s going to pull through or not. Life’s short, too short. If I don’t make it to see another day, I experienced the unconditional love of a woman once and that’s more than some people ever see.

Heading into my office the paperwork is piled up. Rex walks in with coffee in hand.

“You okay?” He asks sitting in the chair in front of my desk.

“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?” Not looking up from my desk, I continue the mundane task of sorting papers.

“I don’t know fucker, the broad you’re in love with is gone for good. After a month of steady pussy, that you couldn’t get enough of, you’re left with your hand and some fantasies.”