Page 68 of Keeping Score

So basically, I had to wrap this up.

Cassie and Liam needed to figure it out on their own and I was content to let them do that, because I knew they would.

I had a knack for things like that. Knowing when a couple had what it took to go the distance or not.

That’s why I knew right away Maggie was the one for me. I felt it. And my instincts had never led me astray before.

“Anyway,” I said, knowing I only had a few seconds left before Liam stormed over demanding what I said to make Cassie have that scared-shitless look on her face, “I just wanted to let you know that if you ever need anything I’ll be your go-to guy, because like I said—we’re practically family now.”

“Go-to for what?”

“I don’t know. If you need to rant about Liam and his scowling problem—”

She laughed.

“—or anything else.” I shrugged. “I’m here. Part of your team now.”

“Why?” she asked, completely dumbfounded.

“Because you’re Liam’s girl—”

“I’m not,” she shook her head hastily.

“And because you’re Maggie’s, too. And those two are the best people in my life. So, I’ve got your back. Okay?”

I stood up, content with our conversation and having finally gotten an official feel on the girl that was important to both my best friend and my girlfriend.

She had my stamp of approval.

Hell, she probably had everyone’s.

I was glad that Liam and Maggie had someone like her in their corner.

“Hey, Brody,” she called, as I started to walk back off into the crowd to find my girl.

“Yeah?” I turned back.

“I’ve got yours, too.”

Chapter Seventeen

Maggie

Sometimes, under duress, I had a tendency to act out.

It wasn’t healthy, but it was what I did. My lovely and expensive therapist, Linda, thought it was my way of avoiding pain. I tried to get angry instead. Or make other people angry at me.

Considering I’d already done both of those things and achieved zero results, I resorted to my other coping mechanism. One that might actually be useful to someone.

I threw myself into work, day and night.

I had other clients, but Mr. Reilly’s case took the forefront of my mind at all times. I couldn’t explain the compulsive need I had to reunite him with his children, but it kept me in the office long after everyone else had cleared out.

I just felt that if I could be the reason his family got put back together, it would fix things. Fix me.

He deserved it. And he would be so grateful to me. If I could just accomplish this one good thing, I could prove to myself that Liam was wrong. I wasn’t inherently selfish.

At least, I didn’t try to be.