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Charlie, mischievous faerie that he is, grins. “You’re just lucky, I guess.”
I clench my hands out in front of me, miming wringing his neck.
Charlie steps toward me and takes my hands in his. His smile softens into something a lot more sincere. “Don’t fight it, love. You need your men. Let them take care of you. Let them make you happy.
Charlie’s thoughts are focused on my feelings.So much turmoil. Why is she so scared of intimacy? Why doesn’t she embrace what her men are so desperate to give her? Their love for her is stronger than anything I’ve ever felt. How can I make her see it?
It’s hard to stay mad when his thoughts are so sincere, and I can feel his distress through our mate bond. But I’m still so overwhelmed with everything that I just need room to breathe. I suck in a deep breath through my nose, give his hands a squeeze, and try to manage a smile as I pull out of his grip. “They do make me happy,” I promise. I catch everyone’s gazes one after the other, making sure they all know how much I mean it. Forcing another smile, I back up from the group. “If you all don’t mind, I just need a little space right now.”
None of them stop me when I walk away. Parker’s still sleeping in my room, so I bypass it and head for Oliver’s. I close the door quietly behind me and make straight for his messy bed. The sloppy covers make me smile. I’d always pegged Oliver for a neat freak, and in ways he is organized to a fault. But he never makes his bed. I asked him about it once, and he just shrugged and said, “What’s the point? No one’s going to see it, and I’m just going to mess it up again.”
I climb onto the bed, bury myself in the covers, and hug his pillows. They smell like him, and it’s just what I need right now. I close my eyes and let myself miss my mother. Learning that her death could have been prevented hurts, but there’s still closure in knowing what happened, and I’m grateful to Henry for telling me the truth. But it’s brought back memories I’d long since buried, and for now, I just need to grieve.
