AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I felt Declan’s arm around my shoulder a second before he gently pressed me to his chest. His touch was light enough that I knew I could get away if I wanted to. He made sure I knew it was my choice with him. Always my choice.
He allowed me to wet his shirt for who knows how long. By the time my sobbing subsided, my head was pounding, and my body felt drained.
I pulled my head up so he could read my lips.
“I’m sorry for slobbering all over you. Usually I’m not so needy and emotional. God, I don’t know what the hell is wrong with me.” I covered my face with my hands, embarrassed by my mental breakdown.
Declan grabbed both of my wrists and tentatively pulled them away from my flushed face. He waited until my entire focus was on him before he signed.
“No person should have to deal with what you deal with. It’s okay to cry once in a while, and it’s okay to ask for help. I’m sorry that you have been alone for this long, but I promise that’s going to change. Your parents are assholes if they don’t see how amazing you are. They don’t deserve your love. Besides, my group already adopted you. Those guys are practically my brothers, and we protect our own.”
I smiled at the familiarity behind those words. Our own. I liked the sound of that. Hey, if they were stupid enough to take on a crazy, emotional teenage girl, then who was I to stop them? I craved the companionship they offered. Was it stupid? Potentially dangerous to trust a bunch of strangers? Maybe.
But they were offering me friendship, nothing more. Sure, the friendship probably wouldn’t last when they realized how fucked up I truly was, but I would enjoy it while it lasted.
“So, I’ll be like your sister?” I asked. For some reason, Declan looked horrified by that proclamation. Maybe I had misunderstood him. Maybe he didn’t want to be my friend after all.
“No! Not a sister! But a friend that we look after and protect and keep away from other boys.”
“So a sister?” He was making zero sense.
“Not a sister,” he insisted. “And stop saying that.”
“But we’re going to be friends?” I asked softly, peeking up at him through my fringe of lashes. His smile was marvelous and slightly familiar. I could lose myself in a smile like that.
“Tomorrow, the guys and I are hitting the slopes. I would like to cordially invite you to join us.”
I giggled. “Well, how could I say no to a cordial invitation?”
He smiled back.
“Meet us in the lobbyat 8 tomorrow morning. And dress warm.”
