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Marissa could feel his eyes on her, but she kept her aim focused on the large stretch of grass in front of her. She was in her own head space when she felt his touch on her back again, lighter than before but still comforting.
“Yeah, it is.” Kase lowered his voice. “Look at me.”
She turned her head.
“You took on Pop and Trev. Not yours, right, but ya took them on?”
“It’s not the same.”
Kase scoffed. “The fuck it isn’t.” He shook his head. “Cade’s got baggage too. Shit you’ve taken on, and ya don’t even realize it. Pop?” He raised his brows. “How many women ya think would be willing to put up with his condition and crazy, Colleen?” He arched his brow. “And Trev? You wanna know how many women in Cade’s life have stepped up and taken the role as mom? Fucking zero.” He paused. “Until you.”
She wiped her sleeve across her cheek. “You make it sound so easy.”
“It is. Ya just gotta let him the fuck in.”
She snorted at the irony. “For someone who seemed intent on me leaving, you’re sure trying damn hard to keep me around.”
Kase smiled. A real smile, making him seem almost human. “Yeah, well, I’m a selfish bastard. You’re good for them, all of them. They’re different, Cade, Trev, Pop, that’s because of you.”
What the hell was happening here? This whole conversation from the start had been a complete mindfuck. Too much emotion and honesty. And Kase being almost sweet?
She choked out a laugh. “I think I like you better when you’re glaring at me and calling me Fruity Fucking Pebbles.” She glanced up through her damp lashes. “This whole sweet Kase is kinda freaking me out.”
“No worries, Fruity Fucking Pebbles.” He winked. “You won’t see it often.”
****
He found her cross-legged on the bed when he entered the room. She had come in from outside and kissed him quickly before retreating into the back bedroom about an hour ago. He continued his game but kept his gaze on the back hallway. Something was up, he could sense it. He bowed out of the game before it ended, handing his stick to Gage and saying goodnight to everyone.
“Hey.”
She mustered up a smile. She seemed awkward and on edge. A far cry from how they’d been with each other recently. Something was weighing heavy on Marissa.
“Hi.”
Caden moved through the room with his tension rising. He didn’t know whose brother the room belonged to, but apparently, he hadn’t moved in yet. The barren room was equipped with only a bed and nightstand. He could smell the faint scent of fresh paint. He glanced over at Marissa, who was watching him. She patted the mattress in front of her.
“Come sit with me.”
He eyed her and furrowed his brows. Something was off with her, and his muscles tightened. “What’s wrong? Something happen? One of the guys do something?”
She shook her head. “Can you just sit with me, please?”
He stalked over, gauging her reaction to every move he made.
“What’s going on? You okay?”
She reached out and took his hand. Her hands on him always relaxed him, but there was a hesitation in her touch. He gazed up to see her eyes welled. What the fuck happened?
“Riss.”
“You weren’t supposed to happen,” she said softly with a small smile. “I made a choice two years ago to leave everything behind, including my feelings or emotions. Then you showed up and changed everything. You all did. You, Trevor, Jack, you made me feel again.”
“Baby.” He leaned closer, but she backed away, shaking her head.
“When I told you about my parents that day at the diner, then the accident when we were at the river? It was the first time I ever talked about it with anyone.” She bit her lip, and he watched as her eyes welled. “Years of keeping it inside, never sharing it with anyone. Except you.”
There was nothing more he wanted to do than grab her and take her into his arms. But he held back. He sensed she wasn’t finished, there was more. He caressed her hand with his thumb, circling over her knuckles.
