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Arriving at work, Tabby and Toni are already in our small office talking. They both come over and hug me, making sure to ask about my dad.
Before we can settle in to catch up with each other, I am buzzed to a patient’s room.
The day passes in a blur as I help a family negotiate through the loss of their dad. In a strange way, I miss mine. We aren’t close, but after seeing him so sick and fighting to make things right with me, I can’t help but miss him now.
Feeling unsure where I stand with Hendrix only makes me want to run back to California more. He left me out in the cold emotionally. Something happened with his brother, and he shut me out to handle it. He said he loved me, but did I read more into things with us?
I work later than usual. Getting home, Hendrix is already at the bar for the evening, so I feed Floyd and have some dinner.
Being in his space, I realize the joke is over. I should probably sort out my living situation. I need to find a new place.
How much do I owe Hendrix for the work on my car and for staying here? All the questions playing in my head make me more emotional and, quite frankly, dizzy.
Exhaustion sweeps over me, and I fall asleep on his couch. Sometime in the night, Hendrix comes in and carries me to bed. I wake up to my alarm, all tangled in him and unable to remember being moved.
“Livi…” Hendrix tries to talk.
“I have to get ready for work,” I whisper then move away from him and out of the bed, sadness swelling inside me at the distance between us.
Silently, I ready for my day. He watches me, yet says nothing. Broody is back. What is he so pissed off about?
Tension builds between us as I leave for my workday.
The hospital day passes all too soon. As I leave, I am a little depressed knowing I am going home to an empty house that I’m not sure I am even wanted at anymore.
Surprise slaps me in the face when I come home to find Hendrix sitting on the couch, waiting for me.
“You’re late,” he greets.
Well, I see how this is going to go.
“That happens sometimes with my job.”
“Cut the shit, Livi.”
“You cut the … crap, Hendrix.” I try for sass; only, I miss the mark.
“What is wrong with you?”
I tap my fingers on my chin. “Hmmm … The man I’m in love with comes home hours late, beat up—”
He cuts me off. “I was not beat up, Liv. I promise, the five shitheads who touched my brother were worse off than Morrison or myself.”
Tears fill my eyes. “When I looked at the clock and saw the time, I panicked. Do you know the thoughts that ran through my head?”
“I told you, they jumped Jagger. I had to take him to the hospital, and then Morrison and I needed to handle it.”
“Yes, you did tell me all of this. After. The. Fact. It’s okay; I get it now. You guys are family. I’m the outsider. I’m just the ‘piece.’” I know it’s a low blow throwing the panties in his face, but he hurt me by pushing me out.
Before I can react, he is up and in front of me.
“What did you just call yourself?”
Nerves hit me, but I stand my ground. “I’m just the piece. Your—” I can’t finish as his lips crash down on mine. His lips are like a drug I can’t turn down. He intoxicates me with his taste.
Once he has me off balance physically and emotionally, he pulls away.
“You’re more than just a piece, Livi. Don’t play games with me.”
“You shut me out. I know they’re your brothers, but it made me feel like you didn’t want me to be a part of that, like you didn’t want me to be part of your family. I was worried about you, about Jagger, and Morrison. Yet, I was left in the dark and dismissed like I was a regular booty call, not something more.”
“Fuckin’ crazy—” he starts, but I cut him off.
“Crazy about you. Crazy about Caldwells. I want to know you’re safe. I want to know your brothers are safe. I want something real, Hendrix.”
“It doesn’t get any more real than this, Livi.” He steps back and holds my hand. “You and I live together, sleep together, and we even work together.” He lifts my knuckles to his mouth and rubs his lips across them. “I love you. Nothing’s changed, but you can’t ask me to ignore shit like that. Jagger’s busted up and—”
“You should have called me.”
“Noted.” He nods his head and pulls me closer. “You should call when you’ll be late, too, then.”
I melt into his embrace because I have missed it.
