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“So you’ll come with me?” he asked after we’d started on the path again toward the shelter.
“Yes,” I said.
“And I won’t be pulling you away from anything important?”
“No,” I said. “I’ll make sure everything is good at the shelter, and I still have two weeks before I have to have my final meeting with the commissioner regarding your progress.”
“And after that, our sessions are done,” he said.
I loved that he didn’t immediately ask what my report to the commissioner would be. He knew I’d be honest, knew that’s the only way I operated, but I’m sure he was fully aware of the amazing progress he’d made in regulating his emotions, especially anger. He’d learned his triggers, those old traumas and his deep instincts to protect those he loved, and he’d learned how to navigate them.
“If you want them to be done,” I said. “I’m available for freelance coaching too, you know.” I playfully bumped into his side.
“Are you trying to pitch me, Ms. Kinder?”
“Maybe.”
“Do you think I need more coaching?”
“That’s a tough question,” I said. “I think there is always a need for life coaching, but if you’re referring to your anger episodes, I think you’re doing amazing.”
“So, in theory, I could have you all to myself, no professional obligations?”
“In theory,” I said, grinning up at him as we walked.
“As long as I don’t fuck it up before then,” he added, and I hated the genuine concern etched into his features.
“You won’t,” I said.
He shrugged. “You never know.”
My heart deflated at the uncertainty in his voice.
“Hey,” I said, making sure he looked at me. “There is nothing you could do that would make me walk away from you.”
“That’s a bold claim.”
“That’s me,” I said. “Bold, blunt honesty. I’ve been that way from the beginning. You think I’m going to start sugarcoating things for your benefit?”
His smile came back, and he shook his head. “No, I guess not.”
“Good,” I said, nodding at him as if that settled every shred of doubt clouding his eyes. “Now, tell me more about this poker game. I can’t wait to see how you gamble away penthouses and sports cars and make ridiculous bets with your friends.”
CHAPTER 15
Ethan
The minute we touched down in New York City and de-boarded the jet, Daisy and Brynn looped their arms through Alex’s and headed off in front of us, laughing the entire way as me and the guys held back.
“Wait a second,” I said when Asher and Wes moved to follow the girls’ path.
“What’s up?” Wes asked, Gareth and Cross stopping near him.
“I need your help.”
“Shit,” Cross said. “Did you lose a seat in the game like Wes did to Doyle?”
“I can only apologize so much, dick,” Wes fired his way.
“You could convince him to bet his seat back to you,” Gareth grumbled.
“Oh, yeah, I haven’t thought of that.” Wes rolled his eyes and flipped him off.
“You wouldn’t really want him to leave anyway,” Cross fired Gareth’s way. “If he leaves, then Serenity—”
“Don’t,” Gareth cut him off in a lethal tone. “Doyle gone would be best for everyone.”
“While I agree,” Asher interjected. “I highly doubt that’s what Ethan is about to ask for help with.”
“Thank you,” I said, shaking my head. “I need your help. I’m…spiraling.”
The energy immediately shifted, my inner circle bouncing from banter to serious concern in a matter of seconds.
“I’m in love with Alexandra,” I admitted.
A collective breath loosed from my circle of friends.
“No shit,” Cross said. “Jesus, man, I thought you were confessing to another pummeling or something. Don’t do that to us.”
“Sorry,” I said. “I just, I don’t know how to tell her. When she told me—”
“Oh, fuck,” Gareth cut me off. “She told you she loves you?”
“Yes,” I said, but waved him off. “I’m not collecting on the bet. It wouldn’t be right.”
Gareth raised his dark brows, scanning my features. “Fuck, you really do love this girl.”
“I do,” I said and meant it with my whole heart. “I’m just fucking scared, man.”
“She’s not Aubrey,” Cross said.
“From the way Daisy tells it, she’s wild about you,” Asher said.
“Brynn says the same.”
“I don’t know why,” I said. “I know it’s not for my money. She loves me for me, sees me in a way no one else ever has before, but I’m terrified I’m going to fuck it up. Explode at the wrong time. I don’t know. I just need your support this weekend. She’s a week out from having her final meeting with the league commissioner on her opinion of my status, and I don’t want her to think I’m telling her this because I want her to speak highly of me so I keep my team, but I also don’t think waiting until that’s done is a good idea either.”
“She won’t think that,” Cross said.
“She’s bluntly honest,” Asher said. “She wouldn’t lie to the commissioner on your behalf.”
