Page 14 of The Pass Protection
“Can you not be such a brat?”
My head snaps in the direction of my brother. “I’m not being a brat. I’m just letting him know what my name is.”
“Yeah, and you were pretty fucking rude. What’s going on with you? Our parents are worried. Mom called me in hysterics last night.”
“Hysterics is a little dramatic, don’t you think?”
“No. Their only daughter decided to move across the country. On a fucking whim without telling us.” His nostrils flare, and I know from experience he’s not letting up anytime soon.
“I thought you were fine with everything. Why would you help me move my things if you had a problem with me being here?” I grit the words between my teeth as I notice the attention he’s bringing to us.
“I don’t know, Addy. Maybe I had time to finally wrap my head around you moving here. Something has clearly happened, and I want to know what’s going on with you.”
“We’re not doing this here.”
“Then when?” he demands.
“How about fucking never? You know what, I think I’m going to go.” I begin to gather my things and feel Grant eyeing me. If I’m not careful, he’s going to figure out that something bigger is going on with me, and all the months of hiding and healing are going to come crashing down.
“Hey, roomie.”
I startle as seats shift next to me. From the corner of my eye, I recognize the figure who sat down beside me.
“Hey, Tyler. I was just heading out.” I direct my words to my brother and start to stand. Tyler’s eyes lock on mine, freezing me in my seat as I feel him trying to work out what he just interrupted.
With a quick nod, he gives me a small smile. “Okay, see ya back home.”
Quickly grabbing my stuff, I don’t waste any time. I’m up and out of my seat, leaving that conversation behind, but the words from Tyler’s mouth stick with me.
“We’ve got her, man.”
And if anyone will crack the layers I’ve been building up, it’ll be my roommates. Even though our game night was interrupted by my parents, the four of us were having a breakthrough. Everyone might think that I’m an idiot for moving in with three guys after my history with men, but there was something about these guys that I knew I could trust.
I only hope they don’t let me down like all the others.
Slamming my backpack down on the kitchen table, I have never felt more relieved to be home in my apartment. Today has been the first day of hell. Navigating campus was a challenge. I managed to get myself lost and turned around not once, not twice, but three times. Not to mention, I had to explain my name no less than ten different times.
I’m exhausted and starving. I should have grabbed something on campus because I’m a horrible cook. I feel bad for my future husbandbecause I’m definitely not one of those women where cooking comes naturally.
“Hey.” I startle with a small scream at the voice behind me. “Shit, Bret. I thought you heard me open my door.”
“I was lost in my head.” The words tumble from my lips sheepishly.
Tyler’s eyes never leave mine as he closes the distance between us. My heart races, and my breathing stutters as he gets near.
He’s not him. He’s not him, Bret. You’re safe.
Tyler’s arms wrap around my shoulders as he pulls me into him. My arms dangle at my side as my face presses into his shoulder. His hand rubs circles on my back as his fingertips graze the skin exposed by my tank top.
“What’s this for?” I question, my face pressed into his collarbone.
“You look like you needed a hug.” The softness in his voice is enough to break me. Before I can stop them, moisture is gathering and spilling from my eyes. Tears coat my cheeks, and I work to keep in the sob that is so desperate to break free.
The truth is, I needed that hug. I have needed strong arms wrapped around me for weeks. There’s no doubt I’m strong enough to handle anything life throws at me, but there’s something about trusting someone else to carry the load, even if it’s brief.
And while the feeling of being in Tyler’s arms is everything I need at that moment, there’s a fleeting thought that he’s not whose arms I’m desperate to have wrapped around me.
“Hey, sweetie,” my mom’s voice comes through the phone as I place it against my shoulder to unlock the door to the apartment.
