“Relax, pretty boy,” he says. “You’re about to be adopted.”
And honestly?
It kind of feels like it.
***
“But my brother and his friends rescued me. It took a long time, but I’m finally moving forward in my life.”
My eyes are wide as I absorb everything I’ve just heard.
“So…” I clear my throat and nod toward the curvy woman on my right. “You have an asshole of an ex-husband?”
“Had,” Riley corrects with a smile. “And yes.”
She told me earlier that Spike rescued her right after she had her baby… the same toddler currently sitting on Skip’s lap at the table.
“And you,” I say to Sunny, the always-smiling woman on my left. “You and Bones?”
“He’s not as broody when we’re alone,” she smirks. “He actually smiles now.”
“I’ll have to take your word for it,” I grin. “And you took care of your brother all on your own?”
Lila shakes her head. “I had help. Nurses and physical therapists came as often as insurance allowed. But until Max swooped in, I was running on fumes.”
I nod, understanding that more than she could ever know.
“Is your brother here?” I ask.
“He’s with Foster,” she beams. “They’ve got a standing chess match. You’ll meet him soon.”
Then my gaze shifts to the stunning woman sitting across the table.
Abby.
I hesitate. I don’t want to repeat what she told me. What if it triggers her? She said she was in a place where she could move forward, so I take a breath and try to word things carefully.
“I’m sorry about your friends,” I say. “I can’t imagine the fear you went through.”
“Thank you,” she says, tears gathering in her eyes.
Shoot. Triggered her anyway.
“I’m okay,” she assures me quickly. “I’m just… very emotional these days.”
“It’s because she’s in love with Tank…the ass…and he refuses to admit his feelings,” Riley says. “He’s pushing her away. That kind of hurt makes anyone emotional.”
“Heisan ass, isn’t he?” Abby laughs tearfully. “I’m so tired of being hurt by him. I want to get over this stupid crush and move on. And as insane as it sounds, being held captive by Los Fantasmas wasn’t nearly as painful as what I feel every time he shuts me down.”
Skip makes a noise, but everyone ignores him.
“Men are dicks,” I say. “And as a man myself, I feel extremely qualified to confirm that opinion. Sounds to me like Tank is too caught up in his own feelings to accept yours.”
“He keeps saying he’s scared of triggering me,” Abby mutters, rolling her eyes. “Or that because I’m Spike’s sister and a club princess, I should be kept away from men ‘like him.’”
“Oh, or my favorite,” Sunny adds, annoyed now. “Hedoesn’t do relationships, yet runs off any man who shows interest in Abby. Infuriating.”
“One day,” Skip says, looking right at Abby, “he’s going to realize what an idiot he’s being. He loves you, Abby.”
