“I was pretty sure it was happening, and I assumed we would move in here. If you’d said no, I guess I would have felt like a real jackass,” I say with a laugh, and she joins in. The look of absolute joy on her face tells me just how happy she is with this surprise.
“Where did that dresser come from? And the chair?” She keeps turning in circles like a top.
“I ordered them a couple weeks ago, again assuming you’d want to live together. I knew I’d need both. I moved them over here the night before you got home. That’s when I hung up all the pictures too. And moved my books. There’s still some of my things next door, but for all intents and purposes, I’m moved in.” I say the last part with a wink, and when she squeals, I can’t hold back from grabbing her in my arms and spinning her around.
“Are you ready for what’s next?” I ask, lowering her to the ground and pulling back so I can look down at her. I place my hands on either side of her face and press a light kiss to her lips.
“Next? There’s more than you moving yourself into my apartment?” She looks curious and excited, her brows pulling together just a little.
“Ourapartment, Grey, and this is just the beginning. But let’s start with me taking my girlfriend, and new roommate, out to dinner, because I think we should celebrate.”
She presses herself up, letting her body drag along mine as she pushes up to her tiptoes for a kiss. The intensity of it nearly knocks me backward but I hold us firm, keeping us rooted to the spot as her hands pull the hair at the nape of my neck.
“Keep kissing me like that and we won’t make it to dinner.”
“I don’t much feel like leaving this apartment—this room—tonight. Let’s celebrate tomorrow.” Her lips ghost my ear as she whispers, “Tonight, you’re all mine.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Wes
It’s been a while since Breck and I got to go out just the two of us, and I’m amped. Ever since I heard him and Talia arguing a few weeks ago at the office, he’s been off. Working constantly, not his usual happy self. I’m hoping that tonight will help him relax and blow off some steam.
Breck, Talia, and Drew’s cars are all still parked side by side outside Adventure Chasers when I pull up. I give a quick double honk of my horn to signal to Breck that I’m here. I leave it running but step out so I can stretch my legs while I wait. My knee was acting up this morning, and sitting in the plane all day didn’t help. It’s only a minute or two before Breck walks out of the building with his hands pushed deep into his jeans pockets, his stare fixed on his shoes as he walks.
When he finally looks up and sees me leaning against the front of the truck, there’s something there that I can’t quite read. He seems sad, dejected. He runs a hand through his wavy blond hair, and the stubble on his face tells me it’s been a few days since he last shaved. The only time I’ve ever seen him with scruff was when we went on surf trips in college.
“Hey,” I say, clapping him on the back as he comes closer. I expect a rib-cracking hug, but he just rounds the truck to the passenger side. My eyebrows draw together as my wariness ramps up. “You okay?”
“Yeah, just tired. Haven’t been sleeping well lately.” We climb into the cab and he immediately flips on the radio, suggesting he’s done talking. Nothing about this feels right. He always has something to say, a story to tell, a joke to make, yet there he sits, silent and far away.
“You sure that’s all it is?” I’m trying to keep my tone light, but he looks over and must see the genuine concern on my face because he shakes his head, his face falling further.
“Talia and I have been fighting. A lot.” He focuses back on the road as I pull onto the street, clearly not wanting to put too much weight on this conversation.
“Yeah…” I grip the steering wheel, not looking at him. “I heard you guys a couple weeks ago.” I chance a small glance over at him and watch his jaw clench as he stares out the window. “I’ve never known you to fight with anyone. I know I’m not around all the time, but I’ve always seen you as that couple that coos over each other and makes everyone around you sick.” I laugh a little, hoping it lightens the mood.
“Oh, you mean like you and Joss are these days?” He smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes and there’s a slight edge to the words. I know he’s right—Joss and I are in that disgustingly in love phase. I’m sure it affects some of the people around us, but I never would have expected Breck to feel that way. I thought, of all people, he’d relate.
“Yeah, I guess I deserve that. But seriously, man, what’s going on?”
“I don’t know. That’s the worst part.” He hits his hand against the dash and lets out a frustrated sigh. “Ever since we decided to sell the business, she’s barely home, and even when she is… she isn’t. We always prioritized family time when we could. Now, when I plan something for us, she either bitches about it or bails.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’ll take all the one-on-one time I can get with my girl”—his face softens a fraction at the mention of Willow—“but I want Talia to be part of these memories. I want her to want to be there, you know?”
“Have you asked her about it?”
“She says she’s tired, busy… And I get that, I really do. The contracts, the logistics for the sale—all three of us are up to our eyeballs in it—but still…”
He trails off and I wonder, once again, how much Drew might have to do with all of this, but I’m certainly not bringing that up right now.
“She’s always got an excuse, and every time I push back, we end up yelling at each other. I love her, but this doesn’t feel like the Talia I fell in love with, you know? It hasn’t felt likeherfor a while if I’m being honest. And I know Willow is starting to pick up on it, and Idon’t want that for her. She deserves better than parents that fight all the time.”
“I’m really sorry, Breck. I wish there was something I could do.”
He shakes his head. “I’m sure it’s just a phase. We’ve been together a long time; it was bound to happen eventually. Relationships are supposed to be work, but I didn’t anticipate our bumps to feel quite so much like mountains.”
I’m at a loss for words, and I hate feeling helpless. When we pull up outside Market City Tavern in downtown Sydney, I get a text from Joss that draws my attention away, giving Breck a minute to gather himself.
