Page 46 of Seeking Her Studs

Now it’s my turn to feel shaken. It’s a tough topic to talk about.

“We thought you’d come to the funeral,” Briggs’ voice is deep and grave from the backseat.

Blaire sits up straight. “You have to know that I would have if I was anyone else, right? But if I had gone, then it would have made the entire thing about me. I thought that was the last thing you wanted.”

I do know that. Of course, we all know that. But it still would have meant something to us if she did show up.

“We knew we needed to do everything in our power to be the best we could be for Kaylee.” I say. “It wasn’t because we were mad at you, Blaire. Hell, we know that we can all take just as much blame for what went down between us. But we couldn’t play with fire anymore. And yeah, you’re the damn fire. One text back could have led to hell only knows what. So we thought we’d see you again and explain in person. But then you just never came back.”

“I know, I get it.” She nods. “You guys are so good with Kaylee. You did the absolute right thing.” She sighs. “And yet, here we are, running away together to a remote cabin. I seemed to have fucked things up in one week.”

Reese laughs. “Go ahead and fuck us up, Blaire. We can take it this time.”

She chuckles and some of the tension finally leaves the car.

I pull into the drive that leads to our small cabin in the mountains. When it comes into view, I stop breathing. We don’t come here anymore. Ever since our parents passed, we’ve paid a neighbor to come check on the place. While the ranch was handed down generation after generation, this place only ever belonged to my parents. They built it with their own two hands and it never quite felt right coming here without them. It was a symbol of their love for each other.

But it was the only place that felt right taking Blaire when she needed us. And I don’t take that feeling lightly. I am all too aware it means something. I just wonder if Blaire does, too.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Blaire

The thick logs of the cabin are painted a deep red, which is striking against the long shallow brook that snakes behind it. It’s a tiny house, but absolutely picture perfect. And I should be taking it in, but I’m too focused on watching the three men in front of me. I stare at them, looking at them in an entirely new light. I let myself appreciate how much they take my damn breath away. It used to be like looking right at the sun, too painful and not worth the damage. But now, I can bask in it.

So what’s changed?

Well, I think I stopped being an idiot.

I didn’t want to admit it to myself, but after today, there’s no denying it.

They’re the guys I’ve been looking for.

Not metaphorically. They are literally the guys I’ve been looking for. Reese realized it yesterday during our hike and that’s why they opened the chat again. He was even trying to tell me, but I was too blinded by the intensity of everything. I didn’t want to let myself believe it could be them, because I knew I wouldn’t be able to recover if I was wrong.

But I’m not wrong.

I can’t be.

The three of them grab our luggage and take a few steps towards the cabin. I pull out my phone and I shoot off the message before I can stop myself.

Turn around and kiss me.

It’s a simple message, but it is my entire existence in these few heartbeats.

Colt stops as his phone buzzes, Reese’s phone chimes, and Briggs’ lights up in his pocket.

My heart is a hummingbird as they lift their phones. Briggs is the first. He doesn’t wait even a second as drops his phone and his luggage and beelines towards me.

When he gets to me, he pulls me in tight, running his fingers through my hair and he bends his body over mine and kisses me with such passion that for a moment I forget everything.

I break apart from the kiss and catch my breath.

It’s really true.

“When did you know it was actually me?” I say as Reese and Colt close me in on either side.

“I realized it on our hike.” Reese tucks my hair behind my ear. “We thought someone from town was messing with us because of all the rumors about you and us. That’s why we blocked you.”

---