Page 55 of Beyond Repair: Part One

Nina bounces into the living room with a White Claw in her hands. "I want to hear more about you guys," she says and parks her ass on the ground in the middle of the living room.

"Hold that thought." Ridge jumps from the couch and disappears.

In the twenty seconds he's gone, the three of us study Nina. Her eyes are red and puffy, yet her lips are curved up in a smile. "Pretty girl, are you alright?"

Her smile loses some of its shine. "I'm fine, Henry. I really just want to enjoy the rest of the night before we go home. As long as..." She gulps and fiddles with the can. "As long as you still want me."

"Nothing's changed," Ridge declares, charging into the living room with a stack of blankets and pillows. "And we aren't leaving tonight. So make a nest for all of us, please."

"A nest?" Kai mutters in my ear.

Nina's eyes light up and she makes grabby hands for the pile Ridge carries. With a shit-eating grin, he drops them in front of her and leaves again. Confused, Kai, Trev, and I watch as she takes a gulp of her drink and places it on the coffee table. Digging through the fabric, she hums and starts laying them around the living room.

Before I can question what she's doing, Ridge is back with more blankets and some pillows this time. Placing them on the outskirts of the scattered blankets, Ridge smiles softly and walks out again.

"Do you know what's happening?" Trevor mumbles to me and Kai.

I shake my head and lean forward. There's a weightlessness in her concentration that sets me at ease. The living room soon has a layer of blankets over the rug and pillows start to pile up in a U around the outskirts.

"Omegas in the books she reads make nests to relax in. It helps with stress and relaxation," Ridge explains, dropping more pillows on the ground. He leans against the couch, watching our girl make a cozy-looking bed. "I read some of them, and it sounded like something she would enjoy."

We're all looking at him like he has two heads, but not once does he look in our direction. Instead of questioning him, we watch Nina make the perfect spot for our slumber party.

Ten minutes later, Neen smiles and wipes her brow, then downs the rest of her White Claw. "Okay," she says triumphantly, "come snuggle and tell me all about what you guys have been up to the past few years."

Chapter 45

Nina

Just as I did to them, they hold back some details as they tell me about their lives. I could tell they were worried about how I would react when they told me about their college experience.

A sad little voice in my head kept reminding me how much I missed out on, but I shoved it away as much as possible so I could feel happiness for the lives they've lived without me.

Unfortunately, in the dim lighting and their soft snores surrounding me, the sadness comes for me. I hide my shuddering breaths in the quietness of the night and try to memorize Henry's sharp features.

The slope of his nose, plump lips and curly black hair.He's so pretty. It's hard to imagine he's never been with a woman—only Kai. As for the other three, those are stories I definitely don't need details of. I never want to hear about the women Kai, Trevor, and Ridge have been with.

Apparently, the only relationship that happened is the one between Kai and Henry. The other two steered clear of commitment. I'll be honest, that scared me until they admittedthey couldn't move on from me.Sex was sex,Ridge claimed, then proceeded to declare his love for me.

When I learned of the falling out he and Trevor had with their families, I was relieved, but also felt terrible. Those people were never around, and they sure as heck didn't deserve my two incredible men. Especially after they said those awful things about Ridge's mental health struggles.

The four of them have held onto me and my memory all these years. Ridge has his tattoo, Kai is obsessed with the scent of roses, Henry has a big rock collection, and Trev wears my ring.

It's past one in the morning, and my mind is racing, which is normal, but for once I'm not alone. Having them within touching distance is making me ache not only in my heart but between my legs.

There's something about being surrounded by masculine men that I trust on a pile of blankets and pillows that makes me want to do something I've never done; take a risk. Slipping my left arm out from beneath the covers, I suck in a gulp of air.

I can do this.

My middle finger touches Henry's smooth jaw first, then my ring finger and pointer. Nerves swirl around in my belly, and I have to shift my thighs around to relieve some of the pressure.

Gosh. I've never felt this kind of throbbingbeforerubbing myself, and the only thing I've touched so far is Henry. Ever so gently, I trace my fingers from his earlobe to his chin, then I press my skin to his lips.

Henry hums, the exhale from his nose tickling my knuckles. I hold my breath in response and pull away slightly.What am I doing?As if pulled by a magnet, I caress the corner of his mouth with my thumb.

I'm so entranced by the plumpness of his lips that I don't notice Henry's eyes opening until he turns his head and looksdirectly at me. The small light in the kitchen makes his eyes look dark, or maybe he's feeling the same thing I am.

Wiggling again, I force myself to hold his heated gaze. When I pull away, his hand shoots up and captures my wrist. The breath I was holding whooshes out in pleasure at his cool touch.

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