AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It’s not even a little problem because I’m really glad you’re here.”
A clogged chuckle climbed up my throat. “I’m glad I’m here, too.”
Without saying anything else, he went bounding out, and I closed the door and moved to the sink. Inhaling a steadying breath, I turned on the faucet and splashed water on my face, hoping the cold water would put out this fire.
I wasn’t sure it was possible when I shut it off and looked at myself in the mirror. My cheeks were flaming red, and I was pretty sure the scuff of River’s big hands was written all over me.
I grabbed one of the hand towels that were perfectly rolled on a shelf. I had it pressed to my face when the door suddenly burst open. I gasped, whirling that way to find Raven pushing through. She shut the door behind her, boxing us in, her voice dropped when she pressed, “Do you want to tell me what’s going on?”
No. I absolutely didn’t. I’d revealed enough today, hadn’t I?
I placed the hand towel on the pedestal sink, focusing on it for a second before I turned to my friend who had her head cocked to the side.
Both curious and impatient.
My first friend I’d had in so long that she almost didn’t seem real. One I’d been afraid of making for this very reason.
Because it exposed me.
Made me vulnerable.
Or a liar.
But I didn’t want to be one of those. Not after she’d been so kind. Not when she’d come to mean more to me than I’d ever believed she could.
I blew out a sigh. “I thought I was being followed after work today, so I went to your brother’s shop.”
“What?” She screeched it as she flew forward and grabbed my hand, then she cringed and lowered her voice as she continued, “Someone was following you? Who?”
This was the part I didn’t know how to answer. “I’m not sure. I just…got a sense that someone was watching me.”
Her brown eyes widened as she was hit with the realization. “Is this what happened a couple weeks ago at the festival? You got thatsame sense when you were giving me that ridiculous line about going hiking because hello, who would go hiking when you could be hanging out with me, instead?”
I gave her a wary nod, and in return, hers was affirming. “I thought something more was happening than you were letting on.”
I wasn’t surprised.
I thought both she and her brother could see right through me.
Concern twisted her brow. “Is this something that’s been going on? Is someone stalking you?”
I warred before I was whispering, “I got out of a bad relationship a while ago. It messed me up pretty badly, and I’ve always been afraid that it is going to catch up to me.”
It was the truth without revealing too much.
Sorrow pulled through her expression, and I swore I saw her own ghosts flicker through her eyes. “I’ve been worried that’s what it was. The reason you’ve been alone and afraid of trusting anyone. But you’re not anymore. You’re not alone.”
She reiterated what she’d said at the café a couple weeks ago. Then speculation crowded into her expression. I couldn’t tell if it was glee or disapproval. “And you ran to my brother so you wouldn’t have to be alone.”
It wasn’t even a question.
My teeth clamped down on my bottom lip. Undoubtedly, the action served as a confession. And admission.
Her voice shifted in emphasis. “Good. My brother and his friends are exactly who you should turn to if you’re in trouble. But the question I’m wondering is how it was that you felt comfortable to go to him?”
There was the prodding. Her expression hinting at the same thing she’d implied at the café. That River was wanting to claim me.
The problem was, that claiming would only be temporary, and I was afraid if I had too much of him, I was going to want it forever.
