After the conversation with Angie and a phone call to her father, she’d worked a little longer before re-packing her bag and tidying things up.
“You about ready to head out?”
Brynnon looked up to find Coop peeking in through her bedroom door. For a second, she still expected to see Grant’s face, and it took everything in her not to crumble from disappointment when it wasn’t.
“Yep.” She zipped her bag. “All set.”
The two left, and for the first few miles, Coop did his best to keep the conversation light. He told jokes, filled her in on his family and his crazy, childhood antics. He talked about Mac and some of the crazy sniper shots she’d made in the past.
Brynnon did her best to join in, but found keeping up appearances more difficult than usual.
Sensing her struggle, Coop looked over at her as he drove. “I don’t know if you’re aware, but Grant’s sort of a complicated guy.”
“Tell me about it.” She snorted.
He gave her an understanding smile. “Hill has a hard time opening himself up to people. I don’t know what happened to him, but whatever it was, it scarred him pretty good.”
Her chest became tight as she remembered Grant’s words.I’ve never told anyone that story.
Grant’s heartbreaking confession rang through her mind. “It’s okay, Coop.” Brynnon sighed. “I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but you don’t have to. I’m sure Grant’s a great guy to have on the team. He’s just not relationship material, which is fine, considering he was only supposed to be my bodyguard.”
The handsome sniper looked her way, his hazel eyes laser-focused on hers. “He left because he cares about you.”
She shook her head. “That’s what he said, but—”
“No,” he cut her off. “There’s no but. Trust me. I’ve known that man a long damn time, and I’ve never once seen him as torn up as I did when he walked into your father’s office. Hell, he spilled his guts right there to your old man. Told him everything.”
Brynnon’s wide-eyed gaze swung to his. “What do you mean, everything?”
“He wanted to make sure your father knew he’d crossed a line with you.”
Horrified, she asked, “Why in the hell would he do something so stupid?”
“Not stupid. Honest.”
“Oh, God.” Brynnon groaned, covering her blushing face with her hands. “My father knows we slept together?”
Coop chuckled. “Yeah, but he actually didn’t seem surprised. In fact...and I could be wrong...but your dad looked sort of happy about it.”
“Happy?” She growled. “Remind me to kill Grant the next time I see him.”
“Don’t think that’s gonna be necessary,” Coop chuckled before turning serious. “Look, Brynnon. There’s something you need to know about Grant. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that he doesn’t like to admit he has actual feelings like everybody else.”
“Oh, I know. Trust me.”
“Right? The thing is, I was there when he explained his reasoning for the sudden switch in guards. Grant told your dad he left because he cared about you and was afraid you’d get hurt if he stayed.”
Brynnon looked down at her lap. “Really?”
“Really. Look, Grant’s not some player looking for a quick score and an exit sign. You’ve just gotta give him some time. He’ll come around.”
Brynnon wanted to believe him. She really did. But the fact was, the second things got a little murky, Grant had taken the first chance he had to walk away. She wasn’t sure how to get past that.
Glancing out the window, she saw a billboard advertising a realty company, the ad jogging her memory. After a panicked glance to the back seat, she cursed loudly.
“Shit.”
“What’s the matter?”
