Page 113 of Irresistibly Wicked

Confusion riddled her brow as she took it, and gasped when she saw Brian’s face on the screen. Her gaze flicked to Zander with disbelief, then back to the screen. “Brian.” Her voice cracked.

“Happy birthday, Shauna.” Brian’s voice was rough but happy, his eyes clear and sharp. “You staying out of trouble?”

Zander stepped away, struggling against the tug in his chest. She’d lit up in a different way at the sight of Brian than she did with Zander. He’d wondered if she would. Or maybe he’d known she would. It was Brian, after all. Her comrade in arms. The one she’d run away with, sacrificed for, and loved with a piece of herself Zander could never touch. He’d known that from the start, but he hadn’t expected to feel so much, and it gutted him.

He stuck by the hibachi, trying not to eavesdrop, but Shauna remained too close for him not to hear their conversation. They asked after each other, and Brian told her how well he was doing and how much he missed her. She did the same, omitting how close she and Zander had gotten and their honeymoon, with a simple, He’s been great. Zander tried to ignore the way that stung, but he knew she didn’t want Brian knowing they’d had to get married.

“I wish I was there with you,” Brian said.

“Me too, but you’re doing what you need to, and I’m so proud of you.”

“You sure you’re okay?” Brian asked, his tone somber.

“Yes. I’m great, but I’ll be even better when you come home.”

“The next two weeks can’t go fast enough. You’re still picking me up?”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

Someone called to Brian from off-screen, and he said, “I’ve got to go. I love you.”

Zander looked over just in time to see Shauna’s smile tremble as she said, “I love you, too,” and ended the call. She closed her eyes, holding the phone to her chest, and inhaled deeply before turning to Zander, her shaky smile lingering as she handed him the phone. “Thank you.”

He pocketed his phone. “You okay?”

“Yeah.” She swiped at her tears.

“Would you like to talk about it?”

She shook her head. “No, I’m okay, really. But I am curious, did you arrange that call, or did Brian reach out to you?”

“I arranged it,” he admitted. “I figured you needed to see that he was okay, and I thought the way he left things with you, he might appreciate an olive branch and need to see you, too.”

“I think we both needed it, thank you for thinking of us,” she said unevenly.

“Always. Listen, I know you will be there for Brian as much as you can, but you can’t be his only support.”

“I know. I’ve already looked into meetings, and I’m going to take him to one after he’s settled in back home. It could take a while to find him a sponsor, so for now, I’m the only one he’s got.”

“He’s got me, too, and my family.”

“I’d never do that to you,” she said vehemently.

“You’re not doing anything to me. I was there when things went bad, and I’m not going to let him flounder or let you shoulder it all by yourself. You’re scheduled to work the day after he comes home. He’s going to need someone to be there, to go to meetings with him, and tell him how great he’s doing. I’ll be there.”

Her brows knitted, and she pressed her lips together. “You’re serious?”

“Dead serious. I talked with Preacher and the guys, and they’re all on board. Preacher brought it up at church this week, and a few of our members are sponsors. They’re willing to take Brian on if he’s comfortable with any of them, and if he’s not, then we’ll reach out to others until we find someone he is comfortable with.”

She looked up at the sky, blinking at tears, and shaking her head.

“Don’t shake your head at me, darlin’. I told you that first night, once you’re in our world, we’ll always have your back.” He was about to reach for her when she cleared her throat and drew her shoulders back in the show of strength he knew so well.

“Well, Mr. Wicked, your review just shot up to twelve stars, and that call is at the top of my Best Birthday Gift list right alongside breakfast in bed.”

She looked at him with as much strength as deeper emotion, and as much as he wanted to pull her closer, he knew she needed the space, and granted it.

They grilled burgers and sat on the nest of blankets and pillows, talking about their day while they ate. When they finished eating, he pushed to his feet in the bed of the truck and reached for her hand, pulling her up to her feet. “Time to get out of the truck for dessert.” He pulled her up to her feet.