Page 68 of Beyond the Badge: Nox

Liyah chewedon her bottom lip as she pressed her back to the door. She didn’t want to move until she heard the roar of his Harley while he rode away.

Only, all she heard was silence.

She was tempted to peer out and see if he still stood by the tree. However, if he could resist, so could she.

Her interest in him was a waste of time.

He didn’t want help.

He didn’t want to move on.

He was fine with remaining wedged between anger and depression. And maybe teetering on disbelief.

Being stuck like that for two years wasn’t healthy. His brothers must recognize that, since they strong-armed him into attending weekly group meetings and therapy. But what they could not force him to do was open himself up to that help.

He preferred to protect himself by remaining closed like a goddamn pistachio nut that was impossible to open. Eventually you had to use a hammer or risk your teeth to crack it open. Or simply give up and throw it out.

She tried the hammer. Now she was throwing out that stubborn nut.

She couldn’t help someone uninterested in being helped.

She couldn’t even have a friendship with a man who closed himself off to others.

If she truly wanted a physical relationship with someone, she needed to accept the fact it wouldn’t be Bradley Lennox.

He was lost.

And didn’t want to be found.

For some reason, that not only disappointed her, it hurt.

“Aaliyah.” It was not yelled through the door. It wasn’t even spoken.

It was nothing but a tortured whisper.

One she never would’ve heard if she hadn’t been leaning against the door.

Did he whisper in hopes she wouldn’t hear him?

Probably. Because he was so damn unsure about what he wanted.

No.

Wrong.

The man knew what he wanted. He was only conflicted about letting himself have it.

Because of that, he made an effort that wasn’t much of one. This way he could tell himself he tried to take a step forward without actually putting his foot down and taking it.

Whether he realized it or not, itwasa step. Because he hadn’t left, he stayed.

How long could she wait before he left? It would be smarter on her part if she let him do so.

Her fingers curled around the knob but didn’t turn it. Instead, she hesitated.

If she opened the door, would he actually take the next step to come inside?

“Aaliyah.”

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