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He smiled at that. “I don’t want to leave. But I’m almost glad we have no communication with Melbourne or Canberra. That way they can’t tell me that I’m needed elsewhere.”
“If they do, I will walk to Melbourne, if I have to, just to crack some fucking skulls.”
He sighed and dropped his hand from my neck. “I think we need to talk about your violent tendencies when it comes to me. I’m beginning to think I bring out the bad side in you. Your mother mentioned it yesterday.”
Rowan coughed out a laugh. I didn’t even know he was still there.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “Just thinking about someone hurting you makes me see red. I get so fucking mad I want to rip people apart.”
“Well, that’s nice,” Jeremiah said, making a face. “And disturbing, and completely unnecessary. But thanks?”
I took a deep breath in, then exhaled slowly. “Okay, I’ll try to stop threatening people. But they need to stopactuallythreatening you or using you. Or whatever. Then I won’t actually need to threaten them, so technically it’s their fault.”
Jeremiah made a pained face. “I’m not sure that’s how it works.”
I sighed again. “Fine. I promise I won’t threaten physical violence. But you have to promise me you won’t leave.”
His smile was shy and genuine, and he gave Rowan a quick glance before his eyes met mine again. “I promise. Though I should add the caveat that I promise to do everything within my power and that some things may be out of my control, and that’s technically not my fault.”
“Fine. And I’ll add the caveat that some things may be out of my control too. Like if that news reader comes back and shoves her microphone in your face one more time—”
Jeremiah picked up the broom and shoved the handle against my chest. “Shut up and sweep.”
I snatched the broom with a huff, though my petulance was lost on him. He simply turned to Rowan and said, “Tell me what needs doing?”
Rowan grinned. “I really like you, Jeremiah. Come with me.”
I stood there with the stupid broom and watched as they walked inside the admin building.
So I swept the damn yard and picked up debris and sweated my arse off in the brutal humidity until I was done sulking.
It took a while.
Eventually, I ditched the broom and went inside. I found them moving filing cabinets off wet carpet, and yes, I liked very much that Jeremiah slotted right into my family—he was working alongside Rowan and my father, after all—but I’d had enough for today.
I needed some alone time with him.
If I was being honest with myself, what I needed from him was a long hug and some reassurance. But I didn’t want to have to admit that. I just wanted to crawl onto the couch and cuddle for hours.
Had falling in love suddenly turned me into a giant insecure baby?
Apparently, yes.
Jeremiah and Dad shuffled the last filing cabinet into the corner when Jeremiah noticed me. He stopped and came straight over. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” I mumbled. “I just wanna go home.”
He frowned and went to put his hand to my face but stopped himself.
I didn’t want him to stop himself.
But with my dad and brother in the room, I shouldn’t have been surprised. I tried to not let it bother me, but it did.
“Okay, we’ll go,” he said. “You sure you’re okay?”
I didn’t answer. I turned to Dad. “We have to go. See yas tomorrow when we’re back to do it all over again.”
Dad stretched his back. “Yeah, we’re all done for today too. Pretty sure I have some beers in the fridge that need drinking before they get hot.”
