“The last time—the only time—I’ve ever seen Gabby like this, she had a health scare. The girls don’t know about it. I didn’t even tell Preston. It was last year before he and Ivory got married. She didn’t want them to know. I kept that promise for her.” I listen, waiting for him to reveal whatever it is I’m missing. “She had felt what she thought was a lump in her breast, so she went to the doctor and they confirmed it was something that should be checked out. She was terrified. I came by and found her crying on her bed. She cried for so long. It was brutal.”
“What happened?” I ask, partly in shock at her having to go through this without her closest friends.
“She went and got a mammogram, but the doctor said they didn’t see any reason for concern. That’s why she didn’t want to tell the girls. She said it was nothing, so they didn’t need to know.”
“Okay so if it was nothing and she was okay, then why are you telling me this?” Annoyed with his story, I want him to get to the point so I can get inside.
“She had her appointment last week but told me it was fine.” He shakes his head, clearly beating himself up.
“She must’ve lied because how I found her today is so much worse than last time,” he says, defeated. “When I walked in, there was glass everywhere. Her stuff was all over the floor in the entryway and the kitchen. It looked like someone broke in.”
“But no one broke in,” I confirm what he isn’t saying. Bree destroyed her house because of whatever happened today. “Have you ever seen her lose control like that?”
“Never. It shocked me. I went upstairs and found her in bed. She was in the same position I found her in last year. Only this time, her eyes were dead. The tears didn’t start until she heard me call her name.” His words are a sucker punch. My brilliant,beautiful girl doesn’t fit the person he just described. “I’m telling you this because you have a choice to make.”
“A choice?” What does this have to do with me?
“Yes, right here. Right now. You’re either in or you’re out.”
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean? Are you giving me an ultimatum?” I ask, my temper flaring.
“I can bet whatever truly caused her to pick that fight has to do with what’s going on today. I know my sister. That’s what she is. She’s like my sister. I’d do anything for her. So, I’m only going to say this once. Are you listening to me, Chase?” Miller calling me by my first name instead of “Rook” or “Bennett” has me sitting straighter on the step. He’s known for his comedic tendencies and good time vibes. The fact that he’s staring me down with the look of an overprotective brother tells me he’s dead serious about whatever ultimatum he’s about to deliver.
“I’m listening.” I square my shoulders and brace for impact.
“Do you love her? Is there a future here for you?”
I pause. I didn’t prepare for him to ask me that question.
Do I love her?
“Because if there’s not, if you’re not sure, I need you to walk away. Let your fight be the end of it. Call it a fling. Call it whatever you want. She is hurting bad, and there’s no room for you to be unsure.” His eyes bore into mine, trying to read my expression, every tick of my jaw, every furrow of my brow.
“This challenge, what’s coming next, could break her. I won’t let you be something else that breaks her. She doesn’t lean on people. But if you go in there right now, if Ilet yougo in there right now instead of me, she will lean on you. And if you let her down, so help me God, I will destroy you.” His hand drops to my shoulder, the grip slightly painful as he articulates his threat.
“I won’t hurt her. I care about her. I won’t tell you I love her before we even have that conversation, but what I feel for her isn’t a fling. It’s not temporary in my mind. Hell, I think I knew it when I met her eyes across that beach bar on our very first night. I appreciate you looking out for her. I know how deepyour relationship goes. I won’t pretend to understand it. Clearly, there’s more here you’re not saying. But you can trust me. With her, you can trust me.”
He scrutinizes me for a beat before he nods, seemingly appeased with my words and whatever he sees in my expression. “She’s still in her bed. I was there until I heard you pull in. She hasn’t said anything. I didn’t tell her you were coming just in case this conversation went differently. Be gentle with her but see if you can get her to talk. I’ll clean up downstairs and give you space, but I’m not going to leave her with you. At least not anytime soon.”
“Thanks, man. I know it can’t be easy for you to turn her over to me in this state. I’ll take care of her.” I squeeze his shoulder and go inside to find my girl. Even Miller’s warning couldn’t have prepared me for the sight of her curled in the center of her bed. I close the door behind me then slip off my shoes.
“Bree, Princess, it’s me. Miller called. I’m here.” Walking to her side of the bed, I climb in behind her and pull her back to my front, tucking my legs behind hers. Resting my head on her shoulder and banding my arms around her waist, I fully surround her with my body.
After a few minutes, she burrows back into me. Her hand grips my forearm, pulling me closer and fitting her body tighter into mine. If she could crawl beneath my skin, I think she would.
She looks back at me over her shoulder. “You’re here,” she says, her voice scratchy from crying.
“I’m here.” I kiss away the tears streaming down her cheeks, then her nose, then her forehead. “I’ve got you, baby.”
I have a million questions. The need to know what caused her to fall apart is overwhelming, but the need to take care of her, to show her how much I do love her—words I didn’t even think about until I was forced with the thought of losing her—overcomesme.
But I do.
I’ve fallen for Gabrielle Pierson. Somewhere between the island bar, her supervising my community service, and our secret relationship, I fell hard for her.
I need her to be okay. I need it like my next breath. I don’t want to push her to share before she’s ready, so I just hold her tightly, smattering kisses along her temple, her shoulder, her cheek. She turns in my embrace, rolling to face me. Her swollen, tear-filled eyes meet mine.
“Hi, gorgeous,” I say. She scrunches her nose and shakes her head, disagreeing with me. “Don’t shake your head. If I think my girl is gorgeous, I’m going to tell her. And you are. Even with your eyes red and tears streaming down your face, you’re the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen.”
