Paxton let out a soft chuckle that sent another wave of shivers through me.
Just then, I heard Brinley’s sweet voice closer to us and I looked up. “Hey, I thought I’d come see how you were doing and if you needed any help?”
Even though I knew I’d have to talk to the ladies now that I was staying and Paxton was briefing the guys as we spoke, I hadn’t figured out what I’d say to them or when. I also didn’t want to do it one by one because saying everything once to Paxton had already been excruciating. I couldn’t imagine doing it several more times, but I couldn’t ignore Brinley when she was right there with a worried look in her eyes.
Paxton dropped his hand from my hip and I missed the comfort of his touch straight away. “I’m going to leave you two ladies to chat and finish up the meeting with the guys so they can get back to work.”
He started to walk away but glanced back at me. “You good?”
I couldn’t help but smile as my heart warmed and thumped a bit faster. “Yeah, I’m good. Do you guys need any more coffee or anything to eat?”
His eyes lit up and he smiled, letting those killer dimples show. “We wouldn’t say no to anything you want to bring us, darlin’.” Then he walked to the guys.
“Holy shit, girl. The sparks flying off the two of you are insane.”
I knew I had a dopey smile on my face, I just couldn’t seem to help it around Paxton, and with Brinley’s comment.
“You want to tell me about it?” she asked in a teasing tone. “Or should we plan a sleepover so you can spill the beans to us all at the same time?”
At the mention of talking to everyone, my smile dropped and I remembered the conversation I needed to have with my friends.
Brinley placed her hand on my upper arm. “I didn’t mean to take that happy look off your face. I know there must be a lot going on if the guys are here and there is an extra security camera, motion sensors, and stuff going up at both our places. You can talk to me, Capri.”
I felt awful that we needed the extra stuff, especially because it was affecting Brinley, she didn’t deserve to be involved. I needed to give her something but then maybe I could hold off on the whole story until everyone was around.
“I’m sorry my crap is spilling over into your life.” I blew out a breath. “I didn’t want any of you involved. But I promised Paxton I wouldn’t run again so—”
Brinley’s eyes widened and then narrowed as she cut me off. “Wait. What do you mean runagain? You tried to leave us?”
I opened my mouth to answer but she didn’t let me and kept talking.
“I should tan your hide for even trying.”
I looked down at the ground with an ashamed look on my face.
“Don’t do it again. Do you hear me?”
When I looked up, she had a stern look on her face that morphed into a smile.
“Did you just use your mom's voice on me?” I asked her.
“You bet your sweet bottom I did. It usually works, and it better this time too.”
I smiled back at her. “I’ll promise you the same thing I promised Paxton. No more running. I did that four years ago and tried last night, but it’s a very long story, Brinley.”
Concern etched her beautiful face.
“Talking to Paxton last night dredged up a lot for me and I need to tell you, but I also need to tell the others. I just don’t think I can do it multiple times.”
Quick as lighting, she pulled me into a hug and squeezed me tight. While I wouldn’t say I had never hugged the ladies, I just didn’t do it a lot since I held myself back as much as I could.
They’d always given me space. Now I realized they probably sensed something as smart as they were and did that for my benefit. But right then, Brinley wasn’t asking and when she grabbed me, she held on tight.
After pulling back, she placed both hands on my upper arms and looked at me. “I understand, sweetie. You want me to see about getting everyone together to talk? Whenever you are ready, that is.”
I couldn’t believe I’d almost walked away—or ran that is—from such amazing people.
Tears gathered in my eyes, but I held onto them, not allowing them spill over and she didn’t say anything about it either, sensing I was trying to stay strong.
