Page 17 of Durango

“Wow, is he talking to everyone except me about this?” I cross my arms as my annoyance at Durango and this situation grows.

“Don’t listen to her. She overheard some conversation he had with Lightning. Durango was just venting because he’s frustrated. If you can tell him a little more about what happened, I’m sure it will help,” Madison says.

“Willow, she’s right. You have to tell him what happened with you and your ex. Think about it from his point of view. You keep saying you aren’t ready, but he doesn’t understand why. It might feel like a game to him. And didn’t you already play a game with him when you were younger?” Alicia asks.

I lean back and close my eyes. I replay some of my conversations with Durango in my head. I hadn’t thought about how it looks from his perspective.

“It does look bad. I don’t get it. Why hasn’t he kicked me out of his life?” I open my eyes in time to spot Madison glancing at Alicia, and they both smile.

“What?” I ask.

“That man has it bad for you. And I can see you really like him. Open up to Durango. Let him in,” Alicia says.

Let him in. I break out in a cold sweat at the idea of admitting to Durango what an idiot I was. I take a deep breath and let it out. I need to suck up my pride and talk to him. “You’re both right. Thank you. I really needed to hear this. I will work this out. I promise.”

“Good. Now tell me, have you gone to the gym Piper told you about?” Madison asks.

Clearly, they all talk. “She mentioned that to you?”

Madison nods. “She said she was trying to get you to learn some martial arts.”

I smile. “She was doing a hard sell.”

“When Piper’s ex tried to kidnap her the first time, she fought him off. And she would have again if he hadn’t drugged her. If you don’t want to go alone, I’d love to try those classes, too,” Alicia says.

I blink as I stare at this woman. “I thought you were already some kind of badass.”

Alicia smiles. “I’m a daredevil but not yet a badass.”

“They’re kind of the same thing,” Madison says.

“Thank you. I’d like it if you came, too,” I say.

It’s been a long time since I’ve had a group of female friends. Another thing my ex took from me by cutting off all my contact with everyone. I’m so grateful for these women. They have my back and I have theirs. They are rooting for us, Durango and me.

Madison leans back. “I think you’re on the right path now, and the universe will help you work it out.”

I laugh. Is she serious? She doesn’t laugh but simply arches that brow of hers again.

“Madison is a bit woo-woo,” Alicia says. “You’ll get used to it.”

“And you’ll love it,” Madison adds.

“If she ever gets to be too much, just come jump out of a plane with me,” Alicia says.

Madison shakes her head. “I’m not too much for anyone. In fact, Lars was just yelling, ‘More! More!’ at me this morning.” She grins.

Alicia rolls her eyes and holds up a finger to her. “No. We are not hearing about your sex life.” Alicia turns to me. “Be careful. She’ll say she’s doing research for a book and then tell you things she and Thunder have done.” Alicia shivers and makes a sour face. “If she starts, just run!”

“Oh, please. You love it. I give you ideas to take home to Lightning.”

They continue to argue while I watch. I laugh, enjoying the banter between these two. Everything about being here feels right. Deep down, I know I’m supposed to be with Durango. And these women, I already adore them. I truly feel I’ve found my home with all of them. Now, I just need to do the work so I can be ready for it all.

CHAPTER 7

Durango

The next coupleof months go by in a blur. The casts are off, and I’ve been in physical therapy most of that time. I had hoped to be back to work by now, but apparently, sitting on my ass all those weeks I was ordered to rest made me very weak. I shouldn’t complain. My injuries could have been worse.

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