Page 9 of Healing Love

She drops Brielle’s arm and scowls at me before stomping back inside. I take a step forward, but Brielle puts her hands up, silently asking me to stay put.

“Are you okay?” I ask, trying to make my voice softer.

She doesn’t answer at first. She doesn't even look at me, her gaze focused instead on the ground. I hate seeing her like this. Plus, now I feel like even more of a dick for yelling at her earlier. Yeah, it’s obvious money has never been a problem in her life, but that doesn’t mean she doesn't have other shit she’s dealing with. I’ve been such a selfish, self-absorbed ass for so long, but I want to change. I want to be better. I want to be someone worthy of Brielle.

“I will be,” she finally answers. “I… please don’t… don’t tell anyone.”

“Who am I going to tell? I’m a loner, remember?” My lame attempt at a joke is rewarded by the smallest of smiles. I’ll take it. “But more importantly,” I continue, “you shouldn’t be ashamed of your mother’s behavior.” Brielle shrugs. “Can you at least let me know if you’re safe here?”

This causes her to snap her head up, those blue eyes latching onto mine. She looks confused as if it's incomprehensible that I would care about her safety. I suppose after the way I've treated her, that's fair. Still, it stings.

“She’s not usually so… My mom has had a rough couple of years ever since… Well, anyway. I’m okay. I promise. Just a rough day, right?”

I frown, not liking how dismissive she's being about her situation. Then again, who the fuck am I to call her out on it? I've been nothing but dodgy since the day we met.

I don’t want to leave, but I don’t have any other reasons to stay. “You have my number, right? Somewhere in your work records or something?”

Idiot. Just give her your number.

“I’m okay, Elliot. Thank you for the ride. This isn’t your problem to deal with.”

I open my mouth to try and say something, anything to keep her out here with me, but I’ve got nothing. Brielle gives me the saddest little wave, and then scurries into the house, shutting the double doors behind her.

Well, shit. My sunshine has been dealing with her trauma all the while helping me overcome mine. She's too good for me, but I want to keep her anyway. I want her light all to myself, so I can nurture it and watch her grow.

As I pull out of the driveway and head back up the mountain, I know I’m going to have another restless night. This time, I’ll be worrying about Brielle until I can figure out how to help her.

4

BRIELLE

Iyawn for the fiftieth time this morning, then groan when I look at my computer and see I’ve only officially been on the clock for twenty minutes. My eyelids feel like they’re made of iron, and it’s taking all of my energy just to keep them cracked open.

I glance at my schedule, noticing someone canceled their appointment this morning, which means I have enough free time for a coffee run. The coffee here is… well, let’s just say I don’t hate myself enough to subject my stomach lining to that kind of acidity.

Grabbing my purse, I head out of my office, only to run straight into someone.

“Oh!” I exclaim, taking a step back.

“Brielle,” comes the familiar, deep, gravelly voice that follows me into sleep at night.

“Elliot?” I take another step back, accidentally pushing my office door open with my wide hips. “Uh, what are you doing here?”

I try closing the door before he can see inside, but it’s too late. Elliot looks over my shoulder, his eyes scanning over my office, which includes a pillow and blanket on the couch, as well as an overnight bag.

He frowns, those heavy eyebrows of his angling down while he presses his lips together. "You slept here?" he asks. I can tell he's trying not to come off as angry, which I appreciate. Still, this is embarrassing and I don't like him seeing any more into my personal life than he already has.

“Uh…”

“Do you do this often?”

Elliot focuses back on me with an intensity I don’t know how to handle. I shake my head no, but he’s not going to let me get away with that. I tip my head toward the open hallway behind him, indicating I’d rather not discuss it out here in public. I was hoping he’d take the hint and leave, but instead, he pushes my office door the rest of the way open and ushers me inside.

“I know this looks bad,” I start, keeping my eyes on the floor so I don’t do something stupid like spill all of my secrets. “I’ve never slept here before, I just…” My voice fades as I think about last night.

Elliot’s warm hand wraps around mine, the same way he did yesterday. I stop my anxious fidgeting and take a full breath for the first time all day. Elliot tugs on my hand lightly, pulling me closer to him. I have no choice but to look up, those captivating green eyes peering down into the most tender part of my soul.

The usually gruff man surprises me again when he lifts his free hand to my face, tucking a few strands of hair behind my ear. I lean into his touch, loving his rough skin against my cheek. Elliot brushes his thumb under my eye, where I’m sure I have dark circles from a lack of sleep.

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