THE CRAZY GOOD SERIES - Rachel Robinson Page 0,183

I get when, on rare occasion, I’ve made a mistake. The time I miscalculated by less than five seconds and fucked up a meet-up while on a mission. Or perhaps the time I picked the world’s grossest flavor of ice cream when trying something new.

Swallowing hard, I pull her into a hug and nod against the top of her head. “It could be, yeah. Or it could be a giant wash. I need to find out before it’s too late.” I care about Chloe. I do. The wretched place that I keep locked, cracks at feeling the loss…of this relationship. Because I know it is a relationship in an odd form. “I’ll miss you. And I think we both know how far out on that proverbial limb I’m going, because you,” I say, tilting her face up to mine, “are probably the only thing that has kept me sane all this time.” Greedily I want to know that she’ll miss me. More, that I’m worth missing.

She grins, full lips spreading across her gorgeous face. “You mean my tits and ass?” I laugh. Chloe pulled a Steve one-liner.

“Well those are pretty perfect, but no. We’ve been through a lot. You were the first person that made me realize there are other extracurricular activities besides guns, boats, and beer that are worth my time.” Gunner noses his way underneath one of her hands again. I cringe.

She pets him for a few more seconds. “It’s better this way anyways. I probably need to find someone to settle down with. It’s about that time. Have the two point five kids, fake orgasms, and wallow in a stagnant career.”

“You deserve that. I think. You make it sound awful, but you’ll make any man happy, Chloe.” Truly, she will. For a millisecond I reconsider keeping her as mine a little longer. I know I can’t, though. My lies need to end. She kisses me and I kiss her back knowing this is the last time. I wait to feel something akin to remorse, but it doesn’t come. I’m doing the right thing. For once in my personal life I may be headed in the right direction.

It confirms my decision. It’s a choice my subconscious made long before I did. I’ll miss Chloe and her lips and the way she always says what I need to hear, but I yearn for Morganna.

For her truths.

For her lies.

For all of her.

_______________

“Don’t tell me how to shoot the dang thing. I know exactly what I’m doing,” Morganna scoffs, holding the gun entirely too loosely. I ignore her and proceed to tell her how to fix her grip so the recoil isn’t so strong. She mutters under her breath for a few more seconds until she corrects her form…to the way that I showed her. Stubborn.

Angling my body behind her, I get as close as I dare to try to scope the target she’s aiming at. We’re at a shooting range outside of my work because it would be too difficult to her get her access to mine on short notice. Morg pitched a fit about that as well. “Steady,” I say, gently placing a few fingers on her elbow. The 40 cal in her right hand, extended in front of her, doesn’t shake. I feel her hold her breath and a half second later she pulls the trigger. She misses the target, but by less this time.

I sigh. “Well, maybe you would scare off a home intruder with a shot like that. Don’t hold your breath.” Her entire body goes rigid. Placing the gun on the table in front of her, she turns, eyes narrowed, and pulls off her ear protection. “What aren’t you telling me?” I ask, taking out my own foam earplugs.

Morganna clears her throat. “The new cameras are working fine. The broken doorknob just scared me a little. That’s all.” I’m not sure, but I think she’s lying. “Alex checks on me. No need to worry yourself with it. Just give me some more tips without bossing me around. Maybe something that will lead to me actually nailing the target?” Of course it’s my fault she isn’t shooting well. I’m more concerned with everything else she’s said. Her hands automatically fall to her lush hips and I have to control my gaze.

Morganna grew up in a place where guns were everywhere. Back when it was still legal to shoot someone if they were on your property. Now you have to wait until they’re in your house threatening