Page 70 of All Tied Down

ROAN: I don’t care about their date

COLT: Shut up before she puts us in time out

ROAN: You’re a grown-ass man

COLT: And she’s scary AF

EMERSON: And that’s why you’re my favorite, Colt

“What are you smiling for?” Garrett asks, startling me as he comes into the kitchen. His hair is wet from a shower, the strands darker than normal, giving him a darker, edgier look. It’s hot.

He’s hot.

But apparently, I cannot fuck this pouting out of him like I thought I could.

“I made plans for you tonight.”

“Em, I don’t want⁠—”

“Guys’ night here. I took care of everything.”

“Seriously, I⁠—”

Hooking my finger in his belt loop, I tug him closer to me as I swipe a droplet of water from his forehead. He smells delicious.

Smoky.

Clean.

Spicy.

My lips twitch at the last one because Colt was right; I am feeling spicy today. I like solutions and I like answers—even complex ones.

But I can’t apply any of that to Garrett. He’s upset and he’s grieving. Darren has been an asshole since Roan got things rolling—going so far as to send me a few scathing messages on one of my social media accounts.

Des documented everything and sent it to Roan and Tom, but we all agreed Garrett didn’t need to know.

Not right now.

He’d blame himself and that’s nothing we need, especially with him trying to keep morale up for Maverick and Lachlan.

“Garrett, you’re sad, and I don’t know how to do sad. I’ve tried my best, but nurturing isn’t my strong suit.”

“You made me a milkshake yesterday.” With a wicked grin, he adds, “And then gave me a blow job. I definitely felt nurtured.”

I shake my head and smile, glad to see a little bit of the heaviness starting to lift.

“While I’m happy to do that for you, I think you need some different scenery.”

“But you said they’re coming here.”

“People scenery.” When he opens his mouth, I press my fingertips to his lips. “Just go with it.”

GARRETT

The problem with Emerson Andrews isn’t that she’s my total opposite. Or that she doesn’t fully understand my emotional attachment to the idea of Descending North.

Or even that she runs her business with an iron fist and hardly any second chances.