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“Not another time freak in the family.” Chris turns and shakes his head.
“Time freak. It’s called being punctual. Good time keeping is everything. Will you be late to your own wedding?”
“I won’t be late to my own wedding, because there won’t be a wedding. I’m happy and single, princess. Now, I’m supposed to be kicking your ass into training, not the other way around.” Chris turns back toward us as we reach the bars. “Clay, get out of here.”
“Okay. Play nice.” I bend down and kiss Shay’s cheek. “Give me a shout when you’re done,” I call over to my brother.
I’d love to be a fly on the wall with these two, they’re both hot heads. Both have the need to control situations. And they both sure as hell like to get the last word. It would be very entertaining to watch. Blood, sweat, and tears will be shed.
***
I’ve walked around all day like someone stole my morning coffee. I’m angry, I’m frustrated, and I’m pissed off with the world.
“I’ve confirmed Shay’s presence on Monday. We’ve got six days to create a tight schedule. Security will be as tight as possible,” says Caleb.
I sit down in my home office and lean my head back on the chair. If I didn’t, I think I’d bang my head off the table until I pass out. A blackout seems very appealing.
“I have a bad feeling about this, bro.”
Caleb nods and holds up his hands. “We just have to be there, Clay. Nothing is going to happen when we’re there. We don’t let Shay or her family out of our sight. There are four of them. I’ll see if I can rope in some ex-colleagues for backup. Stop stressing.”
“Easier said than done.”
“It is, but worrying about it is only going to weaken you. We need your strength.”
I know Caleb is right. I’m just being a pussy. I need to get my act together. Too many lives are on the line if I fail this protection detail.
“I’ll draw up a plan. That will let you spend as much time here with Shay.”
“Thanks.” I stand up and grab my coffee cup. “I trust you, bro. Just tell me where to be and what you need of me.”
“Good.” Caleb pats my shoulder. “Get some rest.”
We walk through my house. It’s quiet apart from a few pots banging around in my kitchen.
“Give me a call if you need anything,” Caleb says before leaving my house.
I walk into my kitchen and Shay is sitting at the patio doors. Her mom is making a feast for dinner. I could get used to having Shay’s mom and dad around. I’ve eaten more home cooked dinners since they’ve been here than I have in the last year.
“Hey.” I fill up my cup with coffee. It seems to be the only thing that’s keeping me going now.
“Dinner will be ready in the next hour,” Mhairi says.
“Fabulous. Something smells delicious.”
I open the patio doors Shay is sitting at and walk out to place my cup on the table. I come back and wheel her outside without her saying one word. She seems so far away today. I hate the quiet Shay.
“What are you thinking about, short stuff?” I sit on the chair beside hers and take her hand in mine. “Talk to me, Shay.”
Tears slip down her cheeks and I rub them away.
“It’s harder than I thought it would be. Slipping back into a normal life. A day to day routine. Life in general. I’m bored, Clay. And boredom only makes me think about Josh. He did everything to keep me alive at the beginning and here I am, sitting here feeling sorry for myself.”
“I think it’s normal, babe. No one will think any less of you for sitting here like this.”
“This place is amazing. What you guys have built up from nothing.”
I look down toward the forest that surrounds us. “It keeps us out of trouble… sometimes.”
