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“That’s mine.”

“I know.” I hold it out to him. “Here. Saves us a trip to the post office and the cost of mailing it back to you.”

His eyes narrow under lowered brows. “The fuck? Mail it? Just give it to me, bitch.”

I’m getting tired of being called a bitch and not reaping the benefits of that kind of behavior. I drop the jacket to the ground. “Here you go.”

Knight’s hand rests at the small of my back and I sense his tension. He’s ready to face down Pete for me. For once I’m going to do this myself. “I haven’t done anything to your stupid coat other than grab it by mistake when I left. For that, I apologize. However that’s no excuse for you to be a bastard about it. Take it and go.”

He snatches the coat and shakes it at me. “If I find anything damaged…”

“I already said it’s no different than when it was hanging next to the door.”

“You’re still a bitch. Don’t know why I thought you’d make a good wife. Stupid, rock loving, crazy bitch.”

No more. “Pete, just go fuck yourself.”

Knight’s hand twitches at my back and I feel his startled gaze on me. Pete huffs but doesn’t say anything before stomping away. He pauses at the front of his truck and runs his fingers down one of the jacket’s inner seams, rips the lining, and stuffs something into his shirt pocket. Then he tosses the jacket in a nearby trash container, climbs in the truck, and drives away.

Knight moves to stand in front of me, both hands on my shoulders. “Clover, are you okay? You said fuck.”

“I did, didn’t I? And it felt damn good.” My face heats. “I don’t know if I’ve ever stood up for myself like that before. I guess it was time. I’m tired of being walked on and put down. Besides, now I have someone to be strong for. So I can be an equal participant in our relationship. Oh hell, I’m rambling.”

“It’s okay, baby. I know what you mean. I’m proud of you. For standing up to Pete and for being brave and making changes in your life and outlook.”

“I just don’t think the cussing thing will be a common occurrence. It feels… wrong.”

“As odd as peas and carrots or sugar lumps is, the expressions are a part of you. Part of why I love you. That doesn’t need changing or improvement.”

We share a long kiss and I’m thankful there aren’t many people on the side street to witness our very public display of affection. Then Knight takes my hand and we start back to the festival area.

“Wait,” I say, pulling him to a stop. “Don’t you think it’s really weird that Pete made such a big fuss over how expensive the jacket was then ripped the lining and threw it away? Who does that?”

“You’re right, that’s suspicious.” He pulls out his cell phone. “I’m going to call the sheriff. We’ll probably need to stay here until they pick up the jacket. Pete’s actions might be nothing and they can donate it, but the more I think about it, the odder it gets.

We sit on the curb to wait for the sheriff. Knight holds my hand against his knee and plays with my fingers. “Can I ask you a question?”

“Of course. The more we ask, the more we know about each other.”

“I’ve been wondering…”

“About?”

“You always call me Knight, except when we’re being intimate.”

“You want to know why I call you Hayden in bed?”

“Yeah.”

“For me, Knight is the person you show to the world. The artist, the man. It’s the public you. Hayden is the love I never believed I’d find. My lover. Knight belongs to everyone. Hayden belongs to only me.”

“I am yours, Clover. Today, tomorrow, always. And you belong only to me.”

My heart is so full I feel that if my chest burst open the brightness of my joy would blind the world. “Yes, Hayden. I’m yours. Today, tomorrow, for always.”

epilogue

Knight