“She seems amazing,” Thomas replies, squeezing me tightly against him. “I bet she’s proud of the woman you’ve become.”
I shrug. “She’s probably more proud of Julia. She’s accomplished so much more than me, she’s married, has an amazing job, and works hard.” Her success is always something I’ve envied.
“And you don’t work hard?”
“I mean, I do, but it’s different,” I reply, trying to shift away.
Thomas doesn’t let me move. “How is it different?”
“I don’t know, but it is. She didn’t have to watchJulia fall apart at the seams. She didn’t have to help put her back together.”
“Baby, that’s not a bad thing. That’s what family is for. Whether it’s blood or chosen, they’re the people that are there to help put you back together. I can’t tell you how many times my brothers have put me back together.”
I shake my head. “That’s different.”
“How?” he interrupts. “We all experience things, and we have to lean on our people to get through it. No one should have to do things alone.”
“But I should be able to do things on my own, I shouldn’t need Miles to coach me on how to pick up a coffee from a coffee shop, or my grandma to put together my pieces, or you to help me sleep with my stupid anxiety. I shouldn’tneedto sleep in your arms every night. I shouldn’t be so weak.” Tears stream down my cheeks as the dam bursts.
Thomas swipes at my cheeks, kissing my tears away. “You are not weak, Hannah Pearson. You are incredible. Having to fight through what you’ve been through and ask for help doesn’t make you weak. It makes you strong.”
He presses his lips to mine, palms cupping my cheeks, like he’s trying to pour all of his strength into me through a kiss. I moan into the kiss, losing myself in him. It doesn’t take long before my tears have dried, and he pulls away from my lips.
“Do you believe me?” he asks.
“Yes,” I reply, and I do. It might take a while for me tofullybelieve it, and not revert back to my usual anxieties, but I do believe him.
“Good.”
I shiver as the breeze picks up, and Thomas wraps meup further in the blanket. “Should we go back?” he questions.
I really don’t want to, but even with the blankets, I’m getting chilly. “Probably.”
Quickly, we fold up the blankets and get out of the bed, putting them in the front seat of the truck. The massive pile of pillows and blankets is between us, and I wish it weren’t. I want to be curled up in his arms again.
Thomas glances over at me as we drive out of the field. “Well, that’s unfortunate,” he grumbles.
“What?”
“That you’re so far away, and all the blankets are between us. I want to snuggle you more.”
I laugh, “I was thinking the same thing.” With some shuffling around, I push the blankets and pillows to the window, and within a minute, I’m curled up against his side the way I want.
“Better,” he says.
I hum in response as he squeezes me tightly, his fingers tracing circles on my arm. I love his touch, crave it even, something I never thought possible. Something I never would have anticipated. It took a minute to get used to, but now I love it. He’s such a physical touch kind of guy.
Five minutes later, we are pulling into the Graff’s driveway, passing by the dark house and making our way to the cottage. The soft glow of the lamp illuminates the pointy ears of Arson, waiting for us in the front window.
“I think he missed us,” I say, pointing him out to Thomas.
“In his defense, he’s been with one of us at all times for a month now.”
“Good point,” I reply, reluctantly pulling away from Thomas as he parks the truck.
“Wait,” Thomas says, already pulling me back into him. He takes my face, kissing me deeply. “Thank you for opening up to me tonight. We never really finished our game of truth or dare, but if you want to, we can.”
I shake my head. “Maybe later.”
