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I walked up to the apartment and knocked coolly on the door. And, of course, Lizzie fuckin’ answered. She looked me up and down as she leaned a
gainst the door, then sighed before she shook her head.
“When the hell y’all gonna get the point?” she asked.
“I’m not here to see Katie,” I said.
“Then what the hell ya doin’ here?” she asked.
“I was wondering if we could talk.”
I saw a light in her eyes that made my mind swirl. I was onto something, I knew I was. She was way too happy to let me into the empty apartment that sure as hell wasn’t hers.
I slid my hand into my pocket as I turned toward Lizzie.
“Katie’s going to be gone for a little bit, so we got some time,” she said.
“Where’d she go?” I asked.
“The grocery store. Practically outta everythin’,” she said. “Wanna have a seat?” She sat on the couch and playfully patted the seat next to her.
I pressed the “record” button on my voice recorder, feeling my phone vibrate as it struck up. Then I took my phone out and set it behind the couch cushion on the backside against the wall. Just to make sure I caught her voice.
“Still on call with work,” I said.
“Totally get it. You boys work hard. I admire that,” Lizzie said.
She sat much closer to me than I had anticipated, and her body spray almost choked me stupid.
“All the guys are worried about Katie,” I said.
“Yeah, yeah,” Lizzie said with a sigh.
“But I’m more worried about you. It can’t be easy having to take care of her.”
Her eyes sparkled as her hand drifted over to my thigh.
“That’s real sweet of ya, Wyatt. I hate seein’ her like this. It’s why I offered to stay. I knew her emotional state would get the best of her eventually. She was bottlin’ up all that shit from Michael, and I knew it was bound to explode like this.”
“I’ve known her for a long time, and I am worried ‘bout how she’s feelin’, but I’m also concerned ‘bout how it’s impactin’ you. I mean, what kinda time have ya had to take off work to do this?” I asked.
“I cashed in all my paid vacation to make sure I was here if she needed me. But she’s worth it. We went through hell and back in high school, and I’d do anythin’ for that girl.”
“You’re a good friend. Dedicated. Strong. Katie’s lucky to have ya,” I said.
“Are any of your brothers worried ‘bout me?” she asked.
I bit back my grin as she led the conversation right into my trap.
“Dylan’s asked me a few times if I knew how you were doin’,” I said.
“Why would he ask you?”
“Because I’ve made it very clear to my brothers that them bargin’ over here like they have is wreakin’ just as much havoc on you as it is Katie. You’re the one fieldin’ all the anger while Katie recuperates. I like that kinda strength in a woman.”
“You do?” she asked.
“Yes, ma’am. There’s a lot that’s been shown ‘bout ya that I like through all this. Your feistiness. Your want to defend your friend. I can only imagine the type of woman you’d be standin’ at a man’s side.”
