I'm not sure if she gets the double meaning of my answer, but she tries one more time.

"I don't mind it rough."

Most women say that without having any idea what they're asking for. Cheap sheets are rough. An unpaved road is rough. A slap on the ass, some handcuffs, a hard pounding - that's not rough. That's fun.

I can feel Kenzi's eyes on me without even having to look over at her, and I wonder if she saw Heather attempting to do a cock dive into my jeans.

"I'm on a break," I finally say.

"A what?"

"A break," I repeat, finishing my beer. I want to go home. Alone. Heather might be fun for a few hours, but in the morning, I'd have to find a way to get rid of her and not see her again. I don't want to be a douche like that.

"What does that mean, exactly?"

"It means my dick is on a vacation."

Heather scratches her head and looks around us, trying to find someone else to do all the work on, most likely. "Well...that's a new one, and I think I'll pass on asking for the details of what that might mean and why. Have a good one, Toren."

As I watch her practically run away from me, I wonder what the hell I'm doing to myself. I'm on a path to sure social suicide.

9

Kenzi

Kenzi ~ age ten

Toren ~ age twenty-five (in jail for assault)

Dear Uncle Tor,

I miss you and hope you come home soon. Daddy said I can write to you every week. I'm using the special pen and ink you gave me.

I am cleaning the bunny cage every Saturday just like I promised.

I threw a penny in a puddle and wished you to be back, but it didn't work. I think it only works with deeper waters.

Don't forget me while you are gone.

I love you the most,

Kenzi

——————————————————————————

Dear Kenzi,

I'll be home soon, I promise. Your writing is beautiful, and the parchment paper was very nice. A letter from you every week would make me happy. I'm sorry I'm not there to help you with Snuggles. I'll be back in a few months. Save some pennies for when I get there and we'll make wishes together. I don't think puddles will work, but thanks for trying.

I could never forget you, Angel.

Be good for Mommy and Daddy.

I love you forever and longer,

Uncle Tor

Kenzi

I always thought the last day of school would be exciting and I'd walk out the school doors for the last time with a huge smile, hugging Chloe, and we'd race off to get frappuccinos to discuss our plans for an amazing summer together.

But instead, I'm standing under a tree on the front lawn of the school with my hoodie over my head, alone, in the rain. Chloe took off with Brendan to celebrate, and now I don't have a ride home. Six miles is going to feel like twelve in this weather, if I walk.

I call my father on his cell, but it goes straight to voicemail. I frown, vaguely remembering him telling me he was going to the city today for a grief counseling meet up.

Rayne is working, so she won't be able to come get me. I quickly flip through my contacts on my cell phone. I have Sailor's number saved, but I don't know him well enough to beg for a ride and I don't want him to see me looking like a gutter rat. Aunt Sydni isn't good at last minute plans and probably isn't even awake yet. I don't want to bother any of my dad's brothers, as they're all usually pretty busy.

I hit Tor's number, and he picks up on the second ring.

"Hey, you. Happy last day."

"Thanks. I seem to be without a ride home. What a great way for me to launch into adulting."

"You're in luck; I'm in the truck on my way to pick up a stray. I'll grab you first if you don't mind coming with me?"

"Not at all. Now you can pick up two strays. I'm out front."

Ten minutes later he pulls in front of the school, and I climb into his truck wearing a big grateful smile.

"You're a life saver," I lean across the front seat to kiss his cheek. "I'm talking to Dad tonight about getting a car. This is stupid."

"Truth. Ask for something cool, like a Mustang. Or a Corvette."

"I'll take anything with four wheels and a roof at this point."

"Be careful or he'll get you a golf cart."

Laughing, I run my fingers through my damp hair that's starting to frizz. "So, where are we going?"

"I just got a call about a dog on the highway; they said he almost got hit a few times."

"On the highway? Where? How are you even going to find him?"

He makes a left turn and turns the radio off. "They gave me a mile marker. They said he's not moving, just huddled up against the cement divider."

This doesn't sound like it's going to go well. "Oh, no. Tor, he's probably hurt."

Nodding, he pulls the truck onto the on ramp of the highway. "Can you climb in back and find one of my leashes? And there's some treats back there; I'll need those."

I lean over the seat into the back and find everything he mentioned and then spread an old blanket over the back seat. The dog’s paws and coat will be wet from the rain and I don't want Tor's truck to get all muddy. I grab an old towel so we can dry the dog off.

"Shit, there he is."

I turn back into my seat as he pulls the truck over onto the bumpy shoulder of the highway and throws it in park. He grabs the leash and the treats, shoving a handful into his pocket, and we both stare across the two lane busy road at the large off-white dog who’s got himself smashed up against the divider, his uncontrollable shaking visible from here.

Tor turns his attention to me. "Kenzi, listen to me. I want you to stay right here. No matter what, do not try to follow me onto that highway, okay?"

I look at him, to the dog on other side of all that traffic and then back at him. "Tor, you're scaring me. This is dangerous. It's pouring rain."

"I can't leave him there; he'll get killed."

"So could you." I point out. It's raining and foggy, and the cars are flying past us non-stop. He's crazy if he thinks he's going to get to that dog.

"I'll be fine. If one of these assholes hit me, call 911 and stay in this truck."

My heart seizes at his words. How can he say he'll be fine and then talk about calling 911 all in the same breath?

"What? Tor, maybe you should let animal control come. Let's just wait here for them."

"And do what? Watch that poor dog scared out of it's mind in the middle of a four lane highway? It'll take AC too long to get here. I'm here now."

"I know, but-"

He interrupts me, not hearing any of it. "Don't worry. Stay here and wait for me."

Before I can say anything else, he's jumped out of the truck and is standing on the edge of the road, waiting for a gap in the traffic. I gasp when he runs across the first lane and then he's forced to stop right in the middle of the two lanes, to wait for another break in the traffic. Cars continue to fly by him, blaring their horns. I hold my breath as he makes another mad dash across the next lane, and ends up about ten feet behind the dog. My hand clutches my cell phone, ready to dial 911 immediately if anything happens to him.

The shivering dog peers behind him warily and starts to belly-crawl further away, obviously petrified of not only the cars and trucks whizzing by but now a very large stranger creeping up behind him. Tor crouches to his knees and holds out his hand, offering treats, his lips moving. I know he's talking softly to the dog, attempting to gain the tiniest amount of trust. Animals can always sense he's a good person and they warm up to him quickly, but between the downpour and the traffic, the dog looks like it's on the verge of mania.

Tor inches closer, and the dog’s ears perk up with a slight amount of interest. The leash is grasped in Tor's other hand at his side, the end in a noose-style loop so he can throw it quickly over the dog’s head.

"Please stay, please stay," I whisper in desperation as Toren moves slowly closer to the dog, just inches from being able to pet him, when an eighteen wheeler flies by, spooking the dog.

My body goes cold with fear as I watch as the dog stands and attempts to move further away from Tor, dragging one of it's back legs, it's eyes wild and darting from the stranger creeping up on him, to the busy road. The feeling of entrapment is bringing on a fight or flight reaction. Obviously, the dog got where he is by running through cars, and he's thinking about doing it again.

Tor moves closer, and the dog suddenly lurches into the traffic, attempting to run away. Cars honk and swerve and the dog freezes - right in the middle of the fast lane. My heart jumps into my throat as Tor dives at the dog, landing on top of him, then scoops him up into his arms and somehow manages to get both of them out of oncoming traffic.

"Oh my God," tears stream down my cheeks as I watch, completely stricken with panic as Tor stands between the lanes, the huge dog in his arms, trying to cross back to the shoulder where I'm waiting.

I can't take this anymore. I leave the truck and run out to the edge of the highway and wave my arms at the oncoming traffic, trying to get the cars to slow down, or stop. Why does no one care or stop to help? Can't they see a person is standing in the middle of the highway with an injured dog?

No one stops.

My tears mix with the rain as I stand there helplessly, begging cars to slow down.

Finally, there's about two car lengths of space in the traffic and Tor runs towards me, kneeling down to the ground with the dog as soon as he's to the safety of the side of the road next to his truck. I fall to my knees with him and grab the leash from his hand, looping it over the dog's huge furry neck.

"You're insane," I scold with relief and frustration, wiping at the tears on my face.

"Hey, my insanity just saved this dog."

"Is your leg okay?" His jeans are ripped at the knee from skidding across the wet pavement and blood has started to seep into the edge of the fabric. "I was so scared something was going to happen to you," I say shakily, but he's ignoring his own injury, checking the dog instead, gently running his hands over the dogs trembling body and down it's legs.