I smile and run my hand through his curly hair. “This is your place now too, and someone will bring you whenever you want to come out here.”
I would make it happen because this place brought me so much peace at a very dark time in my life. I need to work on teaching him how to drive, but he never seemed confident enough to try. I notice that the more I push, he comes out of his shell, so my plan now is to nudge him little by little until I see the real Holden. Looking into his eyes, I can see him lurking in there. I just needed to coax him out.
We get settled onto the bench with his arm wrapped around my shoulders and my head on his. We watch the colts playingin the field and the cows grazing. There is just something about getting out of the city. Holden by my side makes it even more special today.
I know now more than ever that I need to straighten things out with Leo. He needs to know the truth about how I feel, and he can take that how he wants. I’m already up to my eyeballs in guilt because of him and Ryder, and I’m sick of it. I’m a person that goes after what I want and am damn sure going to do just that.
Fuck what anyone else says.
Chapter 10
Leo
Three times.
That’s how many times I’ve seen Alessa since the meeting with my brothers. I’ve had the pleasure of hanging out with Ryder, but at least Gage is here. Ryder no longer talks shit, he just glares, and it isn’t always aimed at me.
“Will you stop before you burn a hole through my fucking head?” Gage says, not looking away from the TV. He’s kicked back on the chaise at the end of the couch with me at the other end, Ryder sitting on the love seat across from us.
“Fuck off,” Ryder replies, a muscle ticking in his jaw.
“You’re being ridiculous,” Gage laughs.
Ryder glares harder. “Nothing about this is funny.”
Gage shrugs. “Sure it is.” He finally looks at him. “I’m not the one who can’t pull my head out of my ass and figure out what needs to be done. Therightthing.”
My eyes are swinging between them in confusion.
“Maybe you should just tell me what you’re talking about,” Ryder points out, and it’s the first time I’ve been on his side. I’m curious as hell.
“Where’s the fun in that?” Gage asks with a grin. Gage swings his head toward the kitchen, listening. That’s when I hear Alessa’s sweetvoice filter through. Gage told me that she left with Holden earlier. “And let the fun begin,” he mutters, and I think I’m the only one who hears him.
“Hey,” she greets Gage, flopping on the chaise beside him and kicking her feet up.
“Hello, Pretty girl,” he replies, kissing her on the cheek.
Ryder growls and storms out of the room, causing Gage to crack up. I love that he can get under Ryder’s skin. I see her roll her eyes.
She finally looks at me. “Hi.”
“Hey, Baby,” I greet back with a smile even though it’s a little forced with how she’s cuddled up to Gage.
“What are you watching?” She looks closer. “Are you watching Supernatural again?”
“You’re just mad because I didn’t wait for you for this rewatch,” Gage answers.
“Fair point,” she laughs. “Is this all you’ve done today?”
“Not all of us had dates,” he teases, but I turn her way anyway.
“It wasn’t a date.” She elbows him in the ribs.
Could I even be mad if it was?
He cuddles her into his side with his arm around her shoulders. “We going to The Games tonight?”
She shrugs. “If you want to, yeah.”
