Page 51 of Digging Deeper

“Because we’re not, not even close.” He opens his mouth to protest, but I plunge ahead as I scoot my chair around closer to him. “Gavin, when I left home for work the day I got shot, it was me and Jameson against the world. He’s my best friend and it seemed like enough. Getting shot sucked, coming out of the coma and not being able to move my legs was… horrible. Waking up to my brother and best friend eye fucking each other was a mix of gross and confusing. Everything had changed in a blink of an eye, and I slept through most of it. I honestly didn’t feel like I’d ever catch up.”

“Oh, Drix.” He cups my cheek in his hand and I lean into it.

“But you know what?”

“What?” he whispers, a sheen of moisture across his eyes.

“My life wasn’t full, not in the slightest. I know that now.”

“You got your brother back,” he says with warmth.

“I did. And him and Jameson dating is actually pretty awesome. Their lovey-dovey routine makes me wanna gag sometimes, but they’re both happy. And then there’s you.”

His head cocks at an angle and it’s my turn to cup his face between my palms. “You moving here to be near Holds has ended up being the best part of this. Your strength and determination. It’s not like anyone else gave up on me being able to walk again, but you’re the one who didn’t letmegive up on it, either. Everything about you has challenged me, and rising to meet it has helped me find myself. Your outer shell attracted me, but your inner beauty surpassed it, and that’s what made me face myself, who I am, and who I want to be.”

“Drix,” he breathes out.

“Then there’s this.” I glance down at the dogs and then around my kitchen. “When I left that fateful day, I thought I had it all. A good job and a house. Money to spend on whatever I felt like and no responsibility to anyone but myself. For a man in his late twenties, I was pretty proud of myself. Until I came back to my house and discovered you had made it a home. You’ve made my life full again. Given me things I didn’t know were missing with no other motive than being yourself. My house isn’t silent and boring, but it’s full of barking and doggie kisses. Snuggles on the couch of both the canine and human variety. Shared meals and kisses at the end of the night.Operation Woo Gavinisn’t about getting you or showing you how sorry I am. It’s because you deserve everything I’m doing, plus so much more.”

Gavin launches out of his chair and straddles my lap, hanging his arms loosely over my shoulders. “You’re a big mush, Hedrix Weston.” Then his lips push against mine, soft and sweet. I deepen it, licking into his mouth, and I swallow his low moan. It’s disappointing when he leans back, coming in for one last quick peck, then drags himself off my lap. “I’ve gotta leave for work,” he says forlornly.

“I know,” I admit reluctantly. I can’t wait for the weekend so I can spend both days pampering him. “I should be home right around the same time as you.”

“Where are you going?” He cleans off the table and then gathers his lunch and travel mug.

“Aiden is picking me up. We’re going to run some errands.”

“No more big gestures.” He stops next to me and lays his hand on my shoulder.

“Okay,” I say, shrugging. “Since I’ll be home later, too, we’ll have take-out and chill.” When he squints his eyes at me, I huff. “I promise.”

Wrapping my hand around his thigh to keep him from walking out of the kitchen, I tip my head back and pucker my lips. He obliges me, saying, “Be good,” as soon as our lips part.

“Until we meet again, brown eyes,” I tease, giving his thigh one last gentle squeeze.

“Bye, Drix.” He hesitates, then leaves the house.

20

Gavin

Soft blue eyes smile at me underneath the blanket we pulled over our heads. “Are you sure you can’t come?”

I groan. “I have to finish up this paper, but I’ll meet you guys there when I’m done.”

“I can’t believe you have homework over spring break,” he says with a groan of his own.

I rub my nose on his with a smile. “It’s just this one essay, and as soon as I’m done, I’ll be able to forget about school and enjoy the week with you.”

He sighs. “I know, I know. It’s going to be a painful couple of hours without you. Mom and Dad are already making me crazy.”

I laugh. “We haven’t even been here for twelve hours yet.”

“Ugh, I know. That’s what’s so horrible about it. How are we ever going to survive an entire week?”

“You’re so dramatic. Your parents are amazing.”

“I guess.”

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