Sparrow

and have every intention of staying an asshole. It’s the makeup of my fucking DNA. But I want to be your asshole. To you, I can be good. Maybe even great. For you, I’ll stop the rain from falling and the thunder from cracking and the wind from fucking blowing. And yes, I sure as hell knew you’d come back. You came straight back into my arms, flew back to your nest, lovebird. Now why would you do that if

It symbolizes freedom and independence. You’re both.”

He kissed away a tear that slid down my cheek, and I wish he hadn’t

I got you, Red.”

One day, I’ll forget to clip your wings. When that day arrives, when you run away, I guess I’d be happy to know you’ll still have some money and the means to make it in this wild, tough world.”

You refuse to be a victim. You always fight back, boots on the ground.”

Passing by the diner’s window as I bolted down the street, I saw him easing back into his seat with a stupid smile on his face, tapping his lips with his sugar-coated finger.

People were like onions, made of lots of layers. The deeper you went, the rawer the layer.

I hated that look. It was the look she gave me before I hired her. Before I went down on her. Before I thought she’d cracked.

Listen, Red. It’s not okay by me when people touch you against you will. Not Connor. Not me. Not anyone."