Otis stretched in the morning, squeezing Adi after he has cracked his joints to satisfaction.

"Mmm...Morning, handsome." She sighed into him.

"Morning, beautiful." He kissed her forehead. She smiled at the soft fluff as his beard tickled her nose.

"How's Cutter this morning?"

"Don't know. Haven't seen him yet. Haven't been up yet."

"Mm..." She burrowed into his chest. It was a crisp morning for Texas. Neither one of them wanted to get out of bed, preferring to stay in the warmth of the covers, curled up to one another as they slumbered. But Cutter needed to be checked on.

He sat in his bed, staring at the ceiling, pondering. He really, truly regretted what he had said to that poor girl. His heart hurt more than he would like to admit at the pained expression on her face that was painted in his mind.

He really had liked her. Had enjoyed her company as much as he enjoyed the sex. She loved him for more than just a piece of dick. And he thought that maybe, just maybe he had liked her for more than just a piece of ass, too.

Ever since he and Eve had split so many years ago, he had a hole in his heart. She was his one and only love of his life, and he had fucked it up. Irreparably. He still had his girl, Baby, but God he missed his woman all those years. He missed the way she made him feel- human again. Like he didn't have to be so fucking brash and cruel constantly. Like he was lovable and deserved love.

This girl had started to make him feel that way too, but he had gotten scared. He had feared replacing Eve. He hadn't wanted to do that. He had just wanted someone to make him feel loved. Make him have fun again and make him smile like he used to.

He heard Otis and Adi stirring in the other room, then Otis opening his door.

"Hey. How ya feelin'?"

"Alright. Still hurtin'. But I think I'll manage to survive."

"Oh, yeah? Well...that's good, I guess..."

"Mm..."

"I'm going to go get your woman. I think you need to talk to her."

"Hm."

"Don't hm. Me. You could have what Adi and I have if you just work at it. You can't throw something you think is special away just because it's not absolutely perfect at first. We worked so, so fucking hard to have what we do now. But if we hadn't. If she had just given up on me and not fought to fight for me...We wouldn't have what we do."

"Alright, alright Happy boy. Bring her over."

Otis traveled in town and knocked on the door. As soon as the woman opened it, she threw a mug at him.

"Hey!"

"Go AWAY!"

"No, no. Listen...Come on. I think you guys should talk it out...I...I know he's a fucking dickhead. But...He actually really does like you. I...I don't think he would have risked coming over here and getting hurt if he didn't."

"If he's such an ass, why do you care?"

"Because my wife cares."

"Why do you hate him?"

Pain flashed across Otis's face, and the woman thought best not to press further.

"Okay...I'll come with you..."

"Thank you."

They traveled back to the house and she stomped up the stairs to Cutter's room, standing defiantly in the doorway.

"Hello..."

"Uh-huh. What've you got to say for yourself."

"Listen. I'm sorry. I really am. Please...Please don't hate me. I...I need to think before I speak sometimes. I was trying to kid around and it didn't work. It just made you mad and hurt you...Please..."

"Why should I believe you?"

"Because I'm fuckin' sorry. Do you think I would say it if I didn't mean it? Kidding around is one thing, I say things I don't mean. But apologizing is different. I wouldn't kid around about that. I truly am sorry. You know...I ...I wouldn't have risked life and limb to go over to your house if I didn't. I knew your pimp could show up and beat the shit out of me. I knew that. But I did it anyway. Because I like you...Okay? I...I enjoy your company. I do...You..."

Her eyes lit up and she waited for him to continue talking.

"You...you remind me what it feels like to be in a relationship with someone who's special...A long time ago I had that. And I miss it...So..." He shrugged, grimacing as he did. "You...You'll give me another chance, right?"

She smirked, leaning back in her seat. "Beg me for it."

"OH MY GOD." Otis shouted, leaving the room and slamming the door behind him.

"Thought you were staying in case it got ugly, happy boy?"

"Kill him for all I care, I'm not sticking around for that!"

Adi heard him and giggled. Guess Cutter had sweet talked her back.

"Listen, baby. I am sorry..." Cutter sighed. "I...I shouldn't say that shit to you. You ain't no common whore. Any fool could see that."

She leaned close to the bed and kissed him. "Yeah, but you ain't no common fool, are you?"

"Hmm?" Cutter was distracted by the sweet kiss. It was different from their usual steamy make out sessions leading to mind blowing sex.

"You fat bastard...I...I think I love you..." She pulled away.

Cutter quirked an eyebrow. "You hated me 10 minutes ago."

She sighed, stroking his beard. "No. I didn't hate you. I was hurt."

"You women are fucking crazy." He closed his eyes, cringing. Immediately regretting what he had said. "That's not what I meant...I..."

"I know. You're kidding around. You don't like having serious conversations, do you?"

"No. No I do not."

She kissed him again, resting her palm on his chest, and letting it wander up to rest on the side of his neck. "You're silly...My clown." She smiled, touching their noses.

Cutter simply chuckled. Damn, he couldn't believe this. It was just like with Eve again. His heart panged at the thought of her. He missed her. Now she was gone, and there was absolutely no chance of them ever getting back together. Unless they could in the afterlife. But he had held out all these years for her. Guess now was as good a time as ever to let go of ghosts.