21
Alice
“You should have called me!”Whitney launches into my arms. She pulls back with her hands on my shoulders. Worried eyes meet mine. “I would have come get you.”
My muscles release some of the lingering tension. “I was too spooked, Whit. I didn’t want to stand there waiting in case whoever that was came back.”
Her recoil reveals the thought didn’t occur to her. “Why didn’t you tell me someone was bothering you in Arizona?”
“You think I wanted to bring all that history up for you?” I say quietly, unable to keep the shame from my voice. “What if that podcaster starts harassing you? Or worse, your kids?”
Determination fills her eyes. “He won’t. Jack would never let him get that close.”
“I thought it would go away. I didn’t mean to hide it from you.”
My best friend pulls me in for another hug. “I understand. I’m just glad Sutton was close.”
My eyes slide to where he’s busy greeting Jack and the kids in the foyer. Lucy and Bennett run through to find Nellie. Sutton picks up Soren’s hand and speaks to the one-year-old. The little boy kicks his feet happily in his dad’s arms.
Beneath the tough, grumpy exterior is what amounts to a gooey marshmallow. At least when it comes to kids.
“I’m pretty sure I scared the hell out of him.”
“Was it bad?” She grimaces, eyes tracing the bruises on my face.
I huff. “I think so. I didn’t have a mirror. I’ll have to see if Sutton’ll share the video footage from the security cam. I’m pretty sure I looked like Carriecovered in blood.”
“Sutton’s T-shirt makes much more sense.” Her lips quirk.
I changed from the sweatshirt to a tee after Sutton’s mom left to get breakfast in an attempt to be less conspicuous. An endeavor that failed by the way his clothes swallow me. I pluck the soft oversized cotton from the center of my chest and let it drop. “We’re going to head to my place this afternoon for some clothes.”
“What do you mean?”
“This is officially a live-in position. I’ve effectively been kidnapped by my boss.”
Her lips press into a thin, flat line. “That didn’t take long,” she mutters.
“Oh no. Don’t you even go there,” I whisper, wagging my finger at her. “This isn’t like you getting trapped with Jack in a blizzard. Nothing is keeping me here.”
“Except a six-foot-one police officer who’s concerned for your safety.”
My eyes slide to the side as a flush hits my cheeks. The concept of Sutton keeping me here warms my belly. It’s a nice thought. But in the spirit of self-preservation, it’s not one I’llreadily accept. If life has taught me anything, it’s that people never stick around.
“He isnotconcerned for me. He’s just doing his job,” I quietly rebuke.
Sutton’s icy blue eyes meet mine for a beat as he passes by. A flutter stirs in my stomach.
Jack stops beside the table and drops a heavy hand on my shoulder. With a squeeze, he shakes his head. “Never fuckin’ again. Next time, I’m driving you home myself.”
I raise both of my hands. “Don’t worry. That’s the last time I argue about a free ride home.”
“Good. I’m glad you’re okay.” With baby Soren on his hip, he moves deeper into the house.
“How are you? Really?” Whitney picks up my lukewarm coffee cup.
I pluck it from her hands and cross the kitchen to top it off. I pull down a clean mug from the cabinet for her. “I’m good. Fighting a low this morning, but that’s not unusual after a night of drinking.”
She joins me at the coffee pot. “Gosh, I’m sorry, girl. I suppose this might be a good time to warn you that the cavalry is coming.”
