Page 15 of Never Going to Care

Landon shrugs one shoulder as he takes in our friend and coworker, a man we’ve known for years and would trust with our lives. We’ve gotten into heavy shit, met a lot of people who have needed our help, but I’ve never seen him like this. He glances down at the picture of Peyton, and something crosses his face causing me to almost let out a gasp like a little girl.

He wants her.

He needs her.

Is that what I looked like when I met Celeste? When I saw her just today? When I think about her?

Landon clears his throat and I look up at him. He gives one, slow nod as if he can read my mind and all the questions swirling there. Holy shit.

Welcome to the party, you want the woman and, more than that, she might just be the best thing to ever happen to you and you were a total prick to her.

“I want the assignment.” Remington lays the cards out there and it’s clear he’s not going to take no for an answer. “I’m going to protect her. I’ll investigate as much as I can, but I’ll trust the team to run things down as I find them out. But her?” He swallows hard and points to the picture. “I want the bodyguard duty.”

Landon frowns slightly as he looks at Remington. I’m sure he’s remembering us telling him he was too close when Piper was in danger. We didn’t let him run the investigation, but the man moved Piper into his place the moment he found out there was a threat at all. We never denied him the ability to protect his woman.

They have a little standoff and I find my attention drifting to Owen. He wiggles his eyebrows and I almost bark out a laugh. The man is practically fucking giddy across the table from me. Colt reaches out and lays a restraining hand on Owen’s shoulder, but it doesn’t do much to dull the shine of excitement on the man.

“Fine,” Landon concedes, and Remington lets out a big breath.

I can see the determination in his eyes. He wasn’t going to let not getting this assignment stop him. He would have figured out a way to protect Peyton one way or another. I guess it’s better that he was given permission and it’s all on the up-and-up.

I’m jumbled up as the meeting comes to a close and we’re given our assignments on the case. It’s something we’re planning to be on long term. There hasn’t been a lot of escalation yet and she has a few months of events coming up. I would offer to pick up a shift, but the look on Remington’s face as we’re briefed has me stopping myself.

Before I can stride out of the conference room, Barrett catches my arm. “Remember what I said, Hale. Don’t get in your own way. There’s something there, something that’ll be worth it if you give it a chance.”

He leaves me reeling as I try and get back to my office without stumbling like a damn drunk or something. But it’s difficult because I’m drunk on her and the few minutes I was able to see her earlier only make it more obvious.

No matter how much I wish I could deny it.

I wonder when I’ll get to see her again.

CHAPTER 6

CELESTE

What color would cowardice be? Whatever it is, it embodies me perfectly. I know it and I’ve been trying to convince myself I’m not really a coward, but I know the truth. I’ve been hiding, avoiding and generally thinking I’m some sort of super spy.

I’m not.

I don’t have the training or the skills. Still, I’ve been able to avoid everything involving SP and Hale Torres for weeks now. If I needed something from Piper involving the wedding, I’ve called her or shot her a text. If we needed to meet up to do something, I’ve invited her over to my place under the guise of wine and a girl’s night.

It was all bullshit, and she knew it too. To her credit, she hasn’t called me on it. It’s one of the reasons she’s an amazing friend.

I can tell she wants to ask me about it or push me but being around him is like flying too close to the sun. I don’t think I can do it and not fall to my fucking death. Wouldn’t that be a shame?

Stella, who we also grew up with and is one of our best friends, although she’s always been a little closer to Ezra, grabs my hand and snaps me out of thinking about my Hale induced cowardice. My eyes snap up to hers to find her looking at me curiously. Nothing to see here!

“What’s going on with you?”

“What?” My voice is a little too high and tight to be considered normal. “Nothing’s going on with me?”

“Sure,” she deadpans, “it’s totally normal for your hands to be shaking like they are, and you normally look a little green.”

I take a deep breath and try to get myself together even though I know it’s not going to happen. I can’t help it. My heart is beating like a bass drum in my chest. All because it’s possible I might see Hale when we get up to the SP floor.

“I’m good,” my voice is steady, and I force my body to go along with it.

Lies. Total lies. I’m a fucking mess and if I don’t get myself under control, I’m not going to be able to keep it together.

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