Page 204 of The Sidekick

She returns it with a beaming grin that lights me up. “It’s a go.”

“Good. Now come here. I’ve missed you.”

I expect her to stand and walk to me. I’m pleasantly surprised when she doesn’t.

Instead, she crawls to me with a gentle smile. Her eyes never leave mine, like I’m the only thing she can see. All my blood rushes south so quickly that I get lightheaded.

My angel. Fuck.

She isn’t showy about it. This isn’t an act or a tease. This is just for me. Something to soothe that ragged piece inside me that only she seems to be able to reach. How did she know I needed this?

She sits on her heels again when she reaches my feet. Her hands are on her thighs. She doesn’t grasp at me and force a touch I might not want. I wonder if she realizes she’s the only one that could.

Max has his elbows resting on his knees as he watches her. His cheeks are darker, and he licks his lower lip. She isn’t paying attention to him. I’m surprised that he isn’t trying to get it from her.

“Who hit you and why?” I ask.

“Emily. She doesn’t want me touching Max or Trevor. She said they aren’t mine.” She seems surprised that the answer came out so easily. Instead of stiffening up like I’m expecting, her shoulders relax, and she gives me a relieved smile.

I turn to Max, who’s frowning over the revelation, then Trevor. He’s practically on fire with rage. They both stay quiet, not protesting my lead in this. A feral part of me relaxes at the easy acceptance of her response to me.

I return my thoughtful gaze to Tera. “And Sal? What was her role?”

“To tell you I was having sex with them in here and comfort you when it upset you.” Her pretty face becomes a mini-scowl that pleases me. Feeling possessive angel? Good. I was a little worried about how casually she took Sal touching me. When will I learn that she will never do what I expect?

Now, the question that’s burning inside me.

“Did you knock her out?”

Max gives me a mocking look. He seems disappointed in me. I can’t wait for him to hear whatever this is.

“No. South did.”

I lean back in surprise. “South? Your old roommate?”

“Yeah,” Tera’s eyes drop from mine for the first time. The heavy sorrow drenching her voice makes me scowl.

“Who is South?” Max asks with a frown.

“My friend,” Tera’s voice wavers, and she clears her throat. “She said she’s visiting me, but I know it’s a lie. She’s mad because I finally told her about my breakdown.”

“Some friend,” Max mutters darkly.

Tera looks at him and shakes her head. “She’s upset because I didn’t call her for help. I didn’t tell her until yesterday. I’ve been hiding it from her. She doesn’t get to see that I’m ok, you know. She lives halfway across the US. We have phone calls. That means she got off the phone with me and got on a flight straight here.”

Max is surprised by the stern lecture. This is someone who has Tera’s staunch loyalty. If he doesn’t respect it, there’s going to be problems.

“You haven’t spoken about quite a few things, babygirl,” Trevor says darkly. “Give us a chance to catch up to Asher.”

Her defensive stance falls into submission quickly.

I turn back to Trevor with a dark scowl.

His jaw is tight as he stares back. “Tera has been talking about a few things from her past. Things I didn’t know about.”

Max looks thoughtful for a moment and then begins to frown. “How come I’ve never heard about your friend before?”

Trevor’s lips flatten out as his stare intensifies on mine. He’s catching up to the fact that Tera isn’t really as happy as she used to act. This is the real Tera, not the polished version. Just like his unpolished version, some work needs to be done to help.

---