I suck in a breath and let it out slowly.
“She’s going to be fine,” Bear says. “Can you watch the door for a couple of minutes? No one comes in until Brooke and I leave.”
Gears doesn’t say anything else. All I hear are his footsteps and the door closing before I’m placed on something hard.
“You can let go now. No one is in here but you and me,” Bear says.
I slowly sit up straight, looking around the kitchen from where I’m sitting on the counter.
“I’m going to get you a glass of water,” Bear says.
He moves around the kitchen, grabbing a cup and pulling out a pitcher of water from the fridge, his muscles flexing. After he pours me a drink, he puts the pitcher back in the fridge and picks up the cup.
“Here you go,” Bear says, handing me my cup.
I take a sip and realize how thirsty I am. I start taking bigger sips of water.
“Don’t drink too fast. You’ll make yourself sick,” Bear says, gently pulling my cup back from my lips.
I pout before I take smaller sips. Once I finish the water, I place my cup on the counter next to me.
“Feeling better?” Bear asks.
I nod before looking down. I am supposed to be mad at Bear, but I don’t think I can be right now. This is the first time since Jared that I’ve ever let myself cry without the fear of being beaten for it. I’ve missed being able to openly express my emotions without the lingering effects that Jared had on me.
“Nothin’ to be ashamed of, Brooke. Everyone has their breaking points. No one will know besides you, Gears, and me,” Bear says, cupping my face with his hands.
He brings my face up to meet his gaze. I let out a sigh and nod. I know Gears won’t talk about what he saw to other people. I feel my eyes start to droop a little as time goes by.
“I bet letting all those emotions out has made you tired. How about we go take a nap?” Bear offers gently.
I nod and hold my arms out. Bear chuckles before he picks me up. I place my face in his neck again, not wanting anyone to see me. Bear starts walking, and I hear him kick at the door.
“Can you open the door?” Bear asks before walking out the door and thanking whoever opened the door.
Bear makes his way up the stairs and into his room. I feel him place me on the bed before standing up straight.
“I’m going to change into comfortable clothes before we take a nap. Do you want one of my shirts and sweatpants to sleep in?” Bear asks.
I nod. Wearing jeans to sleep isn’t comfortable.
Bear walks into his closet and is in there for a couple of seconds. He walks out with sweatpants and a long-sleeved shirt. He hands them to me and points toward a door.
“That is the bathroom. While you change in there, I am going to change in my closet,” he says.
Once in the bathroom, I take a couple of seconds and just look around. Everything is so neat that it shocks me.
After placing the borrowed clothes on the counter, I take my pants and shirt off and look into the mirror, scars litter my body. I put Bear’s clothes on and check in the mirror. His clothes are far too big for me, but they are so comfortable. Quickly, I fold my clothes and leave the bathroom.
While Bear is in his closet, I place my clothes on the chair and climb into bed and lie under his covers.
I start drifting off to sleep as footsteps come closer. Strong arms wrap around me, picking me up and moving me. I’m gently placed on something harder, and I snuggle into whatever it is. Those arms now wrap around my torso, and I succumb to sleep.
10
BROOKE
“Brooke, it’s time to wake up,” Bear whispers in my ear, rubbing his hands up and down my back.
