Page 146 of What About Us

“I have pretty bad anxiety,” I say softly. “And I never talk about it or show it because I was taught . . . well, I just don’t. I don’t know how much you know about Xander’s medical history, and I can’t betray his trust.”

Greg’s eyes narrow.

“But he forgot all about everything he did for me in high school. So when we started working together, I was basically a stranger to him. We’ve fallen in love, and my relationship with him is everything. He’s an amazing man. He treats me so well. Do you know that he found out that we got all that snow last night, and he sent Tucker over this morning to plow at the house so I could get in and out? And he’s mad at me right now. So you can only imagine how good he is to me when things are good.”

Greg smirks at that. “Xander’s love language is acts of service.”

“Oh, I know. And he’s amazing at it.” I swallow hard. “And I’m terrified that he’s going to get hurt again and forget me.”

The last two words are said on a whisper, and once again, Greg reaches out to take my hand.

“It’s okay to sit with that.”

My eyes dart up to his. “It is?”

“Of course. It’s how you feel. You love him, and it would be catastrophic if he forgot about you.”

I can’t help it. I burst into tears because finally someone understands.

“Yes. And I can’t stop thinking about it because my brain isn’t normal, and I can’t shut it off.”

“Okay.” He squeezes my hand. “It’s okay, honey. I take it you haven’t told Xander about this?”

“I did, briefly, but it was as I was leaving to come here to work yesterday, and we didn’t resolve anything or even understand each other. He asked me to stay, and I left anyway, and I know it hurt him.”

“Oh boy.”

Greg is grim as he sighs, and I close my eyes.

“I’m sure he is hurt,” Greg continues. “Of all of my kids, Xander had the hardest time when Heather left.”

I blink my eyes open. “You don’t have to talk about that.”

“I really should, so you know what you’re dealing with. He was four, and he was such a mama’s boy. He was her shadow. If she was in the garden, he was in the garden. If she was in the kitchen, he was with her. Ava was tiny, and Easton and Tucker were in school. So that left Xander with his mom a lot.”

Greg exhales and looks down at the table.

“He was inconsolable when she left. Cried for weeks. It just broke his little heart.”

I swipe at a tear and swallow hard.

I left him too.

“I don’t know for sure, but I’m fairly certain that’s why he doesn’t keep girlfriends for long. I’ve never met anyone Xander was interested in until he introduced us to you. So, you say that you have issues, but so does my boy. And neither of those issues are insurmountable. You just have to talk to each other.”

I nod and accept the tissue he offers me.

“You’re right.”

“What Xander needs more than anything is a woman who’s ready to fight for him. Because I guarantee you, my boy will pull his head out of his ass once he’s done licking his wounds and fight for you. But I think that you need to decide what you want. Is he worth the risk?”

I frown, and he continues.

“Is your relationship worth the risk of him being injured? Your worst fears are unlikely to happen. I know you know that. Are you willing to work through those fears together, or would it be easier for you to cut your losses and go your own way?”

“I don’t want to live without him.”

He smiles at me. “Good. That’s your answer. He works a demanding, high-profile job. And he’s gone most of the time.”