We’ve been hugging longer than I realized. I gently pull away in no rush to separate. I can tell he’s trying to hold on a little longer, too. I can feel his large, strong hands unwrapping themselves on the lower side of my back. My hands brush the skin of his neck.
A shiver goes down my spine, but it’s not like I’m touch deprived. The last time Charlie and I were intimate was—oh shit.
When was the last time?
I need to tilt my head up all the way just to meet his gaze, but I don’t mind, I’d be okay with having neck pain for the rest of my life if it meant I got to look at those beautiful, ovary-scream-inducing eyes.
“Okay, I don’t know about you guys, but I am very eager to hear this news of yours, Ellie.” Addie pushes her brother out of the way.
My body tightens, and a familiar knot forms in my stomach. I need another hug.Rowan, read my mind, give me another hug.
Riley and Addie loop their arms into mine on each side, guiding me outside to the garden. I can hear the guy’s shuffle behind me and look at Rowan with pleading eyes to save me. He just smirks at me.
Bastard.
“What is going on? I’m dying here,” Riley urges, pulling my attention to her.
“Once we sit down, I’ll spill everything,” I respond.
“Oh my god, there’s spilling. This is going to be good,” Addie says, stretching out the last word. “Unless it’s something bad, then it won’t be good.”
“Patience, children. Patience.” I pat their arms.
When we reach the fire-pit on the right side of the garden, everyone takes a seat on one of the Adirondack chairs. I look at Rowan and notice him watching me, waiting to see where I’m going to sit. I give him a knowing look, and he rolls his eyes while he walks to sit in the chair next to me, his hands flexing and slightly shaking.
“Okay, tell us. I don’t think I can wait any longer,” Ry says.
“Stop pestering her, damn. Let her speak when she wants to.” James glares at Riley.
She gives him dagger eyes, and he just rolls his right back at her.
I start spinning the ring on my finger, the smooth motion grounding me. It’s one of those fidget rings—perfect for when you can’t sit still, always needing to move. I turn it over and over when anxiety creeps in. The rose gold has dulled over time, worn down from the countless times my fingers have twisted it, seeking comfort.
Addie looks at me with her storm-blue-doe eyes, while Riley leans herself forward in her chair. I’m sure she’s about to fall out of it and face plant onto the ground. I look around at everyone, my close friends, my ex-boyfriend. Maybe I should have only pulled the girls aside. Too late now.
I clear my throat, sit up straight, and spill it all. “Okay, so I wasn’t planning on visiting any time soon, but something happened.” I avert my eyes to the ground and roll my lips in before I continue, “I was having a hard time at work, something I don’t want to get into right now, but the main reason I came home was because of Charlie.”
I peer over to Rowan, where concern is written all over his face. His perfectly shaped brows are furrowed, and I can see his jaw muscle tick while he keeps his eyes on the ground. He’s the only man I know that can look that handsome while pissed off about something.
“What happened?” Addie asks softly.
I twist my lips to the side before saying, “I haven’t been happy for a while. With my job, the city, Charlie. I felt—feel—burnt out.” I look down to my lap and play with my fingers. “Charlie said because of the stress I was dealing with at work, it affected him, and that he felt alone. So alone that he took it upon himself to talk to someone about it.”
“Like a therapist?” James asks.
I give a tight smile at the irony. “If you want to call a random woman you meet to talk to and then fuck a therapist, then sure, why not.”
There’s a pause as everyone falls completely silent, and I glance around at their faces. Addie’s eyes widen, almost comically so. James is deliberately avoiding my gaze, his brows raised in some mix of confusion and disbelief. Riley looks ready to body-slam Charlie. As for Rowan—he looks like someone just told him his beer tastes like shit.
“Get the fuck out,” Riley exclaims.
I scrunch my nose and attempt to pull my legs up on the chair, wrapping my hands around my knees. Although I’m smiling like I’m not at all affected, internally I’m screaming and punching the air.
“That shriveled-up shrimpcheatedon you?” Ry shouts.
“Riley, if you keep shouting, you’re going to lose your voice.” I tilt my head. “Charlie would have rather me stay in the city with him, which just blows my mind. I told him it would be smart if we were separated—broken up—for the summer so we can both figure things out.”
“So, this isn’t a break? This is a full-blown break up for sure?” Addie asks.
