“What time is it?” he asks.
“Close to one,” I say remembering the time on the stove when I was in the kitchen last.
His eyes narrow as he notices the half-eaten bowl of Lucky Charms in the hallway. “Is that all you two have had to eat?” His voice drips with disapproval, and Fi hides a relieved smile behind her hand. He peers into the bowl. “And which one of you is picking out the marshmallows?’
Fi laughs. “That would be Brantley.”
“Guilty.” I smirk.
“For fuck’s sake. It’s a wonder that either of you have survived as adults the way you eat.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, Seb,” Fiona snarks with an eye roll. “We didn’t have responsible parents growing up or siblings around who gave a shit.” His face falls, and Fi frowns. “Seb, I shouldn’t have?—”
“No, you’re right. My stepmom and dad weren’t perfect, butthey were around. And I did have Charlie and Marcus to rely on.” He stands, pulls Fi up, and extends a hand to me. I take it. “I’ll make us something to eat.”
Sebastian walks into the kitchen and starts rummaging through the fridge. He’s still in a T-shirt and boxers, but he doesn’t seem to notice or care.
I do, however.
The way his ass and thigh muscles flex against the tight fabric is really distracting. I sit on one of the living room love seats while Fi gets the fire going.
I take a breath. “I have a request.”
Bastian laughs. “Well, don’t make it complicated or I’ll have to make another run into town.”
“No, I mean...” I clear my throat, gathering my thoughts. “I want us to talk. All of us.”
Fi looks over at me and Sebastian pauses with bread in one hand and cheese in the other. They watch me expectantly.
My heart pounds and a wave of heat runs down my spine. I have no idea why I’m suddenly so nervous. “I want us to talk about everything.” I nod at Fi. “Whatever you’re hiding about Dennis, you need to tell us. We need to be able to protect you. To help you.” My eyes cut to Bastian. “And you need to tell us your boundaries because whatever the fuck happened this morning scared the shit out of us.” I swallow. “I’m not saying we have to share every single secret, but let’s put our relevant damage on the table. We’re stuck here right now. Together.” I give Fi a meaningful look. “ After last night…”
Why is it so hot in here?
I blow out a breath. “After last night, I think we can all agree that despite what we’ve said or done in the past, we kind of like each other. We don’t have to start defining anything, but let’s try to come to some sort of a truce so we don’t all go crazy.”
Fi and Sebastian exchange unsure looks, and then nod hesitantly.
Sebastian goes back to making grilled cheese sandwiches. But just as I turn away, he says, “No alcohol this time though. Seeing Stitch’s rendition ofMagic Mikelast night is where I draw the line.”
I flip him off, and he snickers. I sit back and put my feet on the coffee table. That nervous feeling still churns in my stomach.
“Has anyone checked on Captain Jack?” Fi asks. I shake my head. “I’m going to make sure he has feed and water.” She walks to her small bedroom to dress and then slides on her boots and coat and heads outside.
Sebastian and I also pause to dress before returning to the kitchen so he can finish making our meal.
“I know you have baggage too, Michaels.” Bastian butters one side of the sandwhich and slaps it onto the old griddle. The smell of toasted bread and melting cheese makes my mouth water.
“Baggage?” I look at him innocently.
“Don’t give me that shit. You aren’t innocent in all this. You and Fi have been dancing around your past since we got here. Don’t you feel like it’s time to really apologize?”
I give him a pained look, but I know he’s right. We won’t always be in this little bubble, and that was our problem last time. We need to talk about the hard stuff.
I stare out the window at the dense, snow-covered forest. I’m so tired of apologizing, but Fi deserves it. She deserves to know why I left and why, if she gave me the chance, I’d never leave again.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
FIONA
