She lets out a breath, like she’s relieved.
She looks down and plays with the ends of her hair. “My parents think I’m a coward for leaving school and running away to Denver.”
That protective feeling surges through me. “Do they know what happened?”
Briar shakes her head. “I just told them about the breakup. I said it was bad, but I didn’t give them specifics. You’re the only person I’ve told. You’re the only one who knows everything that happened.”
I reach around her and grab the roll of paper towels, tear off one, and hand it to her.
She thanks me and wipes her nose. “I don’t want everyone knowing what happened, other than you. It’s humiliating.”
Need surges through me. The need to comfort her. The need to make her pain go away.
Gently, I grab her shoulders. “Listen to me. What Logan did to you was unforgivable. He’s a sack of shit. So are all the people who believed him over you.” I swallow hard. “I’m sorry it happened. I’m sorry you went through that all alone.”
Her eyes are teary again, but I can see the sadness fading away.
“You don’t owe anyone an explanation, Briar. Not even your parents. I won’t say a word, okay? I promise.”
“I know you won’t.” Her voice is so soft and sad. It makes my heart ache.
I hug her against me. She wraps her small arms around me, squeezing me tight. I tuck her head under my chin, hoping she feels warm and secure. That’s exactly what I want to be for her in this moment. A safe place. We stand there for what feels like minutes.
“Are you sick of standing here and hugging me?” she asks in a soft voice.
“Never. I’m addicted to your hugs, remember?”
She lets out a small, quiet laugh that makes that ache in my chest go away.
She leans back, and I cup my hands over her cheeks.
“What do you need right now?” I ask softly.
“Honestly? Some tacos. And maybe a milkshake.”
“I can make that happen.”
Chapter 15
Briar
Isit across from Blake in our booth at the Mile High Diner, sipping my strawberry milkshake.
“How is it?” he asks.
“Yummy.”
“Want another one?”
I shake my head. “One giant milkshake is plenty for me.”
I look at his empty milkshake glass and the empty plate in front of him. A minute ago, there was a massive slice of apple pie on it, but Blake inhaled it after draining his milkshake.
“What’s it like living with a monster appetite? Does it ever get tiring being able to eat insane amounts of whatever you want?” I ask, unable to hide my smile.
His mouth slants up into a grin. “Agony. I should have become a competitive eater instead of a hockey player.”
I chuckle softly and take another sip of my milkshake. When I glance up, I notice he’s staring at me. Not in a creepy way. In a watchful way.
