Page 15 of Love is Blind

Chapter twelve

WREN

It’sbeenthreedayssince this stupid stomach bug started and I’m so over it. I’m fine all day until bam, out of nowhere, I’m rushing to the bathroom to throw up. The guys have been extra observant of me as well, constantly watching, hovering, insisting they call Doc. I’ve had plenty of colds and stomach bugs and fought them off all without help from a doctor, so I don’t plan to now.

I'm in my room reading a book in bed, since I'm still feeling nauseous, when my phone rings. I reach for it next to me when it calls out Amber’s name. We talked for a bit last week but with her new busy life and everything happening here; we haven’t gone into great detail about anything. Quickly answering, she jumps right into everything we’ve missed in the past two months.

She tells me all about her new place and how living with Jacob is amazing. The new coffee shop and yoga studio she found to replace the one she left behind. She even thinks she found the perfect storefront for a new bookshop. She’s even met a few new friends from the yoga class, but reminds me I’m her number one bestie for life.

“So, Wren, what about you? How’s it been? I’ve been so worried since I left and you gave me the code phase. Then the next time I talk t‌o you, you’re fine and living with three men. How did that even happen? Did they kidnap you or something?” Her words are rushed as she blurts them out all at once.

“Amber. Breathe. I’m…” I try to choose my words wisely, but my extended pause must have been too much for my best friend. Ares must also notice my hesitance because he jumps up on the bed from his bed on the floor and presses up against me. I run my fingers through his furry with my hand not holding the phone and smile. He really is a loyal pup.

“Wren! You’re what?” She demands.

I blow out a deep breath. No point in lying, since she’s always been able to tell. “I’m fine now. It was rocky at first, but I think I’m happy. I know it’s unconventional, but the three of them actually make me really happy and with things going on lately, I know they will protect me, too.” I regret the words the moment they leave my mouth. I’ve said too much, damn it. I didn’t want to tell her about Adrian or his threats and promises that he will get me back. I’m hoping she didn’t catch on, but I’ve never been that lucky.

“What do you mean by things happening lately?” Her tone turned from happy and excited to confused and worried.

I really want to lie to her but we promised each other after she showed up at the hospital the night Adrian almost killed me. We would never hide anything from each other again. “Amber, are you sitting down?” I hear a soft thunk before she mumbles a quiet yes. “Before I tell you everything, I need you to promise me you won’t catch the next plane back here.”

“Wren, babe, you’re scaring me.” She lets out a weak chuckle like I might make it sound worse than it is and I wish I was.

“Promise me.” I demand. Knowing her, she would do exactly what I’m making her promise not to do. But I can’t have her here in the city or even the state. Adrian can’t know Amber is a weakness of mine. She must hear how serious I am because her next words put me a bit at ease. We have never broken a promise to each other.

“Okay. I promise.”

“Adrian is back and knows I’m alive.” And just like that, we are on the phone for over an hour. Her cursing, panicking, and telling me all the ways she would castrate the man. Me having to reassure her I’m perfectly safe with my men and hint at the fact they have a more than unsavory part of their lives that makes them capable of protecting me. By the end of me telling her everything from the moment I met the guys in the alley to now, she stays quiet, simply listening and when I finish, she says something I never expected.

“Oh my god, Wren! You lucky bitch. You’re living some dark, twisted fairytale. Like Beauty and the Beast, but with multiple beasts. You’re Belle, obsessed with reading, and the guys are rich princes who have kidnapped you and now fallen in love with you. That douche Adrian is Gaston, who thinks women should worship him. Ha. That prick dies in the end! Totally a fairytale story.” She sounds so matter of fact when she finishes that I’m so shocked, I’m speechless.

After a long minute, I can’t help myself. I start to laugh. I’m laughing so hard, tears fall from my eyes. On the other end of the phone, I can hear Amber laughing just as hard as me. My best friend would take a shitty situation and turn it into something romantic. When I finally have my laughter under control, I respond with five simple words. “I miss you so much.”

“I miss you too, babe, but it seems like you’re finally living for something. You should be proud of yourself for taking a chance. I know it’s scary, but I can hear how happy you are now.” This time, her words bring tears to my eyes for a whole other reason. Happiness.

We talk for a bit more about random things like new foods we tried, shows she’s watching and books I’ve been reading. I tell her about Abby and she tells me to have a girl’s day with her like we used to in the past. Do something like get hair and nails done, then shopping for a new outfit before going out to a club to let loose. I roll my eyes at the suggestion, but the more I think about it, it might be good for me. Plus, Abby totally deserves a girl’s day, but she has been talking about updating my wardrobe to something more me. We finally say our goodbyes after our two-hour-long conversation and agree we need to check in more often with each other.

After a quick bathroom break, I go in search of Abby to tell her the plan. Heading to the other side of the house, I find her singing at the top of her lungs in her room. I, of course, wait to announce my presence until she finishes her song and then begins to clap like an enthusiastic crowd at a live concert. She lets out a loud scream, making me cover my ears before the thundering of footsteps can be heard stampeding up the stairs and down the hall.

“What was that? Are you okay?” Jax says, grabbing me by the shoulders and turning me to face him. I’m guessing to look for injuries. Ares lets out a growl at the way I’m being handled, but I make sure to reach down and pat him on the head first before answering Jax’s question.

“I’m fine. I scared Abby accidentally.”

“Yeah, you did. Damn near gave me a heart attack.” She calls out, chuckling to herself.

My cheeks blush at the sudden wave of embarrassment. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you, but I also didn’t want to interrupt your concert. I was just coming to ask a favor.” I turn around in Jax’s hold to face Abby’s direction. I know the other two guys are here too, but they haven’t said a thing yet.

“No worries. What’s up?” Her voice sounds closer now.

“Well, I was wondering if maybe this weekend you might want to have a girl’s day? Maybe grab some brunch, get our nails done, then go shopping for a few things.” A shriek of excitement leaves Abby at my words.

“Yessss. OMG! Yes. I thought you would never ask.” Suddenly, small arms wrap around me in a tight hug and the scent of bubblegum feels my nose. Typical that she would smell like something sweet and bubbly.

“How about Saturday, ladies? I’ll make a reservation for brunch and a full work spa treatment.” Xander finally speaks and I smile. Of course, he would want to plan out the day.

It’s Abby who responds to us. “That sounds perfect. I can call ahead to a few shops and make appointments to get it cleared out for just us. I’ll give you the list later today.” The two of them talk logistics as Jax spins me around and lifts me off the ground. I instantly wrap my legs around his waist as he heads back across the house.

“I knew I liked that chick. She’s taking your safety as seriously as us.” I roll my eyes at his cavemen statement and nuzzle my head deeper into Jax’s thick corded neck. I doze off in his arms as I remember Amber’s words from earlier.

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