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“They keep saying it’s because I’m exhausted. I’m barely sleeping…”
“Cade is gone, Mia. You have a whole group of guys looking out for you. Not to mention security tailing your every move. You’re safe. Especially here. Come on, let’s go back before they come looking.” Hadley laces her arm through mine. “I know it feels dark and desperate now, but things will get better, I promise. You just have to let people in. Let people help you.”
We take a slow walk back to the house. It’s a beautiful place right on the edge of the beach. Under different circumstances, I’d want to try out the hot tub or swimming pool. But as it is, I’m barely holding myself together. I’m on edge, every unfamiliar noise startling me. The guys fired up the grill and made burgers and steak earlier, but I couldn’t eat anything, despite the hollow pit in my stomach.
I feel like I’m unraveling. Piece by piece. Day by day. The Xanax Sasha gave me helps, but it doesn’t rid my mind of the fear. The suffocating trepidation that Cade is out there somewhere, watching… Waiting. Biding his time until he strikes. I see him. I see him every time I close my eyes; I see him standing in the tree line of the house.
I see him.
But no one else does.
Because my mind is the enemy now.
We reach the gate and I pause, noting how serious the conversation looks between Bexley and Cole. They’re huddled close, their heads almost pressed together as Cole says something. But Hadley alerts them to our presence, perching on Cole’s knee and running her hands through his dark hair.
“What are you two colluding about?”
“Just guy stuff.” Cole smirks, grabbing the back of her neck and kissing her passionately. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about Cole Jagger since we arrived, it’s that he’s unapologetic, and if Hadley’s near, you can bet he’ll be touching her, or kissing her, or stalking her every movement like he’d go to war for her.
Watching them makes my chest ache.
I miss that. I miss being close to Bexley.
“I think I’m going to—”
“Come here,” Bexley says, his voice a low growl that reverberates deep inside me.
“I don’t—”
His hand snags mine, tugging me toward him. A shiver runs through me as he pulls me down on his lap and wraps his arms around my waist. “Just sit with me, please.” He nuzzles my neck, and I smother a whimper, overwhelmed at the confusing emotions running through my mind.
On the one hand, I want to tell him I’m not ready. That I can’t sit here like this and pretend everything is okay. But the other part of me wants to soak up his attention and bathe in his light.
“Fuck, Mia.” His warm breath fans my skin, sending more shivers through me. My eyes flutter as I settle back against him.
The sun is sinking into the horizon, casting a dark pinkish hue across the sky. It’s beautiful, and under different circumstances, romantic.
But there’s an ugly dark cloud hanging over us.
“Hey,” Alex says, joining us. He sits down with a beer. “This is… cozy.”
“Jealous, Rexford?” Bexley chuckles.
“Nah. I’m not ready to settle down.”
I tense, but Bexley leans in and whispers, “Relax, I got you.”
“It’s been a day,” Cole says, taking a long pull on his beer. “I didn’t expect to find out I’m gaining a brother-in-law.”
“Uh, did I miss the wedding announcement?” Alex frowns, and Hadley lets out a small laugh.
“Cole is just joking.”
“No, I’m not. You know what that ring on your finger means, Dove.” He takes her hand in his, running his fingers over the glittering engagement band. “It means you’re mine, forever. And soon as you’ll let me, I’ll make it official.”
“Cole, we’re nineteen. We cannot get married yet.”
“Says who?” he asks without hesitation. “I know I want to spend my life with you, might as well get it over with.”
