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I tap his name at the top of the screen and hitcall. The call connects after the second ring.
“Hey, firecracker.”
“Hi,” I choke out, immediately hating how small my voice sounds.
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s been a shitty week. Sorry I didn’t text more or call. It’s just—” I cut myself off before I started to cry. Tears have threatened several times this week. Only in the privacy of my shower did I let them fall this morning.
“Did someone tag the building again?” Anger edges his tone.
“No. Something else, I’ll explain when you’re here.” I futz with the string of my apron. “Miss you,” I whisper. Part of me wants to add I love him, but I bite my tongue.Not yet.
“Miss you too, firecracker.” Silence settles over the line for a beat and I know he wants to say the words too. “Want me to grab dinner?”
Anderson made dinner every night since Braydon left and I felt guilty for not returning the favor. I didn’t have a culinary degree, but I knew enough to make mouths and stomachs happy.
“Dinner would be wonderful. Anderson will eat whatever you order, he’s not picky.”
“’Kay. I’ll figure something out.” He pauses and I hear him suck in a deep breath. “See you soon.”
“Soon,” I whisper then disconnect the call.
God, I am a mess. When the hell did my life spiral out of control? When did it go from simple and routine to mayhem and dysfunction?
Not sure when the cupidandhatred targets got painted on my back, but I need at least one to go away. I need my life to right itself. I need something to give. And I fear the wrong thing will let go first. Because of this war on my life… I am ready to throw the white flag. I am ready to give up.
CHAPTER36
BRAYDON
One look at my firecracker is all it takes. I exit the car and all but run to her.
Tears well in her eyes as her frame sags forward in defeat. I ignore the food in the car and go to her. Wrap her in my arms and haul her close. The second her cheek rests on my shoulder, her body shakes. She fists my shirt and sobs.
I smooth a hand over her hair and shush her cries. Let her know everything will be alright. At this, she snakes her arms around my middle. Tightens her hold on me and constricts my breathing. I don’t complain. Don’t tell her to loosen her hold. Don’t do anything but hug her harder.
“I got you.” I kiss her hair. Rub small circles over her back. “You’re safe. I’m here. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Minutes pass and neither of us loosens our hold. She cries on my shirt and doesn’t say a word. Her fingers curl and unfurl my shirt again and again. All the while, I hold her. Reassure her with touch and whispered words that I have her. That I will catch her if she falls.
The back door opens and Alessandra straightens, swiping at her cheeks. I look up to see Anderson with a forlorn expression as he takes in his sister. Then his eyes meet mine and he shakes his head.
“Been a rough week.”
“Tell me about it over dinner,” I say, reluctantly stepping away from Alessandra to grab the bags from the car.
Anderson takes the bags of food when I reach for my duffel. “Meet you upstairs.” He shifts his gaze. “Didn’t lock up yet.”
“’Kay.”
I follow Alessandra into the café and help her flip off the lights. Weaving my fingers with hers, we exit, lock up, and take the stairs. After we ditch our shoes, I take my duffel to the bedroom. As I round the wall separating the kitchen and dining from the living room, I see my girl with her head in her hands.
Initially, when she was slow to respond to me this week, I thought it was her pushing me away. Now, I see it is much more than her being distant. Something bad happened this week. Whatever it is, my firecracker looks ready to fizzle out. And I will be damned before it happens.
“No way this is a coincidence.”
Anderson’s brows furrow. “No waywhatis a coincidence?”
