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CHAPTERTHIRTY-SIX
Snow
Afton helps me set the table while the guys prepare the buffet. When you serve this many people, you can’t just set it on the table. It doesn’t work with hungry fighters and cowboys.
“Hey,” Ariel greets me, placing a hand on my shoulder.
I smile at her. “Hi.”
She leans in close, giving me a squeeze. “You ready for this?”
“I think I am,” I tell her. “I’m a lot stronger than when we first started talking. I think this will be good for me.”
“You’re right.” She smiles at me. “You have come a long way.”
“Thanks to you.”
“Oh, no, that was all you,” Ariel replies with a shake of her head.
“It smells good in here,” Linc says as he and Skye walk through the door.
As more people arrive, the more nervous I get.
But I know it’s the right thing to do. And I need to apologize to Dayton. Easton, too, but, in a fit of rage, he joined the Army. So, we won’t see him for another year.
“Everything is all set,” Shane announces.
“Get your food,” I call out, and it sounds like a herd of hippos.
“Men.” Ariel chuckles.
“I hear you,” I agree.
The guys grab their plates and set them down, and like the gentlemen they are, they get their girls their food first. I’m not eating. I’ll eat later. I’m too nervous right now.
“Ready?” Ariel asks, and I nod.
And we head straight into the session.
“How do you feel today?” Ariel asks me after we’ve made ourselves comfortable.
“Nervous,” I admit, wiping my sweaty palms against my thighs.
“Because of all these people?” she asks.
“Yeah,” I tell her.
“Pretend they’re not here,” she suggests.
“Kind of hard. Memphis is as big as the house.” I chuckle.
“Hey.” He mock-pouts, looking like an oversized kid.
“Ignore him,” Ever says, elbowing him in the side.
“What did you want to talk about today?” Ariel continues, and my heart starts to race double-time. This is so hard for me, but it’s something I have to do. I’ll feel better afterward, and everything will be out in the open.
Before I begin, I breathe in deeply and exhale slowly. “I didn’t go into my past, except to say that my life was chosen for me. Even when I was with Dayton, my life was regulated to what I could and could not do. And sometimes I come off as immature because I don’t understand things, or I seem innocent. But I am far from innocent. And I’m sorry for all of this. I didn’t lie about my past, I just left some things out—things I want to forget.”
