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“You hungry? I’ve got a lifetime supply of yogurt parfait bullshit. Not sure what kind of weird crap your sister has Levi eating. Probably gonna throw it out.”
He shakes his head. “Nah, I’m good.”
“Yeah, me too.” I stand, shutting the door. “So, um…yeah. I know I screwed our friendship up—”
“I’m sorry.”
His apology catches me off guard. It should be me asking for his forgiveness. “Man, no. I’m the—”
“Just…let me talk, okay? You should have told me.”
“I know. I knew you—”
“Would be mad? Hell yeah, I would have been. She’s my cousin. She’s a good girl. She’s been through so much. The last thing she needed was someone messing with her life.” He takes a deep breath and walks closer. “But things with you have changed. You’ve been so against settling down, I never put two and two together. Missing guys’ nights. This sudden pep in your step you never had before. I judged a situation I knew nothing about. Love can change a man. It takes a good girl to turn your life upside down in the best ways. I know that firsthand.”
“I love her, man. I’ve never felt this way. It’s fucking thrilling and scary. You called it like it is. She’s too good for me. But I’m willing to fight tooth and nail to prove to her I can be worthy of her love.”
We stare at each other until Kip takes in another deep breath and wipes his hand down his face. I almost don’t catch it, but in the process, he wipes away a tear. “I thought you were going to die, man.”
“Not a chance.”
“The only thing I could think of is the last time we saw one another. A lifetime of friendship and in our last moment, I took a swing at you.”
“Well, you took a swing at Levi too, and you two made it out alive. Still can’t believe that guy—”
“Chase.”
“Right, stale joke. If it helps, I swear to you, I won’t hurt her. There’s a likely chance she’ll get sick of me and leave, but while I have her, I’m sure as hell going to cherish her. Every fucking second.”
Kip walks up to me, placing his hand on my shoulder. “She’s lucky to have you. We all are.” I nod and grab at his back, bringing him in for a hug. I won’t admit my eyes also fill with tears. I love Kip like a brother. “Thank you.”
“For what?” We pull away.
“Accepting this.”
“Oh, I’m only accepting it under the terms that if you hurt my cousin, I’m going to do more than punch you.”
“I’ll gladly take it.”
We go in for another bro hug. This one with fewer tears.
“We should probably get back out there. They might think you’re trying to finish the job that looney woman couldn’t.” Kipley frowns. “Sorry, bad joke. Let’s go.”
We head out together, feeling lighter for the first time in weeks. When we get into my living room, I cuss. “Seriously? You’re here now too, Stacey?”
Bridget rolls her eyes at me. She knows why I’m pissed. I want to be alone with her so I can get reacquainted with her taut little body. Lick every inch of her and make her beg into the wee hours of the morning.
I also know she’s going to say no because of the stupid doctor’s orders.
Little does she know, I play dirty and had Levi grab a shit ton of icing and sprinkles.
Chapter 31
Bridget
Since the incident, entering the Brooks’ estate doesn’t get easier. Every inch triggers my anxiety. No matter how steady I keep my breathing, I still see him on the floor, covered in his own blood. I still see Anna’s face and the terror in her eyes. Blood oozing from an evil woman’s chest. Anna’s tiny hands trembling. The blast of the gunshots. But none of it matters. Because she needs me.
I walk up to the entrance of the main house and knock. Alice is in the kitchen, and she hurries to open the door. “You know you don’t need to knock. Just walk in.”
“I know. Is Anna up and about?” I’ve been making it a priority to spend time with her every day. She’s still not talking, and the guilt is almost debilitating. I spend hours with her, playing and doing all the talking, but she doesn’t say a peep. Jonathon comforts me by saying it’s normal. It’s shock. She witnessed a lot. Has been through a lot. But I can’t help but feel responsible.
“Yep. She’s up in her room. She’s been waiting for you.”
“She has? Has she said that?”
Alice’s smile falls. “No. Not yet. But I can tell. She loves you. You’re really helping.”
I doubt that. I wave at Alice and make my way upstairs to find Anna in her room playing with her favorite dolls.
“Hey, it’s my favorite princess.” She stops playing and looks up at me. Her smile is barely noticeable, but the fact that it’s there at all gives me hope. “Whatcha doin’?”
