Page 75 of Downpour

“Your roommates are dicks.”

She let out a soft breath. “Tell me about it.”

“They’re the reason you came back early over the weekend?”

She swallowed and didn’t say anything for a long moment. “Yeah.”

Instead of heading to my recliner, I pulled up in front of her. “Look at me.”

She barely gave me a peek at her blue eyes.

“Brooke.”

She sighed. “I’m sorry we ran into them.”

“Why are you apologizing to me?”

“Because it’s embarrassing! I got myself tied up in their mess because I was desperate for somewhere to live. Now they won’t stop harassing me. I just want to be done with them.”

“Then be done.”

She laid her phone on her stomach and closed her eyes. “Can we just… not fight today? You can fire me tomorrow.”

“Brooke, I’m not firing you.”

“Right.” She shifted, turning her head away from me. “Because you need a shiny little distraction.”

What the hell was her problem? The sunshine that always beamed from her was completely shrouded by the clouds in her eyes.

“Help me up.”

She peeled an eye open. “You… want me to?—”

“I said what I said.” I reached out for her. “Give me your hand.” I clasped my hand around hers and eased onto the couch beside her. “Come here.”

“I don’t want your pity. I’m sorry we ran into them, and I’m trying to figure it out.”

I wrapped my hand around her ankle. Brooke let out a squeak as I dragged her across the couch until her butt bumped against my leg.

“Will you just get over here and stop apologizing for shit that’s not your fault?”

She huffed and sat up.

“Do you need to get out of here for a while?”

She looked away from me. “I don’t really want to leave unless you don’t want me around.”

“I want you here,” I tucked a curl behind her ear. “I just want you to stop blaming yourself for that run-in earlier.”

“But I know it bothered you, and I’m sorry.”

I chuckled. “It bothered me because I don’t like seeing you shaken. I’m fine.”

She looked up at me with doe eyes. “You sure?”

“Promise.” For no other reason than the fact that I wanted to, I pressed a kiss to her temple. “Don’t give it a second thought.”

Brooke curled into my side. “Thanks.” Her finger trailed along one of the lines of my tattoo sleeve. A single touch of her finger made my blood simmer.

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