“He did,” I confirmed. “It was obvious something was off, and you know I’m not usually one for being told no.”
“Us Flynns are known for being stubborn.” He let out a breath. “I take it you watched the game?”
I nodded.
“I did good,” he said, smug as the rest of them. “But, don’t worry. They have no idea why we beat their asses tonight, and we’ll continue to do so every game. You’ve been gone for three damn weeks, and they still haven’t even noticed you’re gone. Have they even called you?”
As if my phone was waiting for their signal, it started beeping with notifications. He snatched it before I did, sliding it open to read them, rolling his eyes before tossing it my way.
“Oh look,” he mocked in a fake voice. “They miss you.”
Sutton
We miss you. Hoping to come home this weekend.
Milo
Maybe. There's talk of extra practices thanks to tonight’s game.
Dean
Think of us as you fall asleep. Can’t wait to hold you again.
Maybe early on in our relationship, I would’ve been excited to get a message like that from my pack. Not anymore. It made me uneasy, almost sick.
How could they possibly think I would accept that kind of response after not hearing from them for weeks, after missing my fucking heat? I swear they were delusional.
“You ready to go home?” he asked.
“For the love of god, yes. Can you carry the cake? And I’m going to need you guys to steer clear of the patio when we get back.”
“You’ve got it.” Then my brother froze, stumbling over his words, which was not something I was used to.
“Just spit it out.” I lifted my chin. “You know you can talk to me about whatever you need to.”
“You’re being careful, right?” he questioned. The hesitation told me exactly who he wanted me to be careful with. “Don’t—” He frowned and stopped talking, unable to get the full question out.
“I love you, Conrad, but I don’t need you to hover. I’m being careful. I’m not crossing any boundaries. I’m just being a good friend. You can’t ask me not to be friends with them. We live together.”
He held up his hands. “I’m not asking that,” he assured me. “I just don’t want you to get hurt again.”
“Unfortunately, you can’t protect me forever.”
“I can at least fucking try,” he muttered, gesturing for me to follow him out the door.
It was just me and Conrad in the SUV on the way home, and I was kind of grateful for the reprieve.
There was no sign of them as I set up the cake and cardstock on the back patio, and prepped the fire pit.
When I stepped back inside to grab a lighter, Kieran was walking up, his face intense, a storm brewing under the surface. It only solidified that this was exactly what he needed.
I didn’t say anything. I simply held out my hand. He didn’t budge at first.
“If you’re uncomfortable at any time, you can walk away, and I will not be upset or hold it against you,” I said gently. “I just want to help make it better.”
He swallowed hard and nodded. The trust he was putting in me was humbling.
I led Kieran outside to the patio, stepping aside so he could see what I’d prepared.
