Page 114 of Secret Love

“She couldn’t care less what you do for a living.Youare what she signed up for. And you can’t decide for her what she needs and doesn’t need. You’re going to lose the best thing that ever happened to you if you don’t get your head out of your ass!”

I stare at him in shock.

“And you think this is doing your kids a favor? This withdrawing bullshit? They don’t need to see you be perfect Henley all the time. Your girls need to know that sometimes we fall, but what’s important is how we get back up.”

I slide my hand down my face. “I…I hear ya.”

“You’re not doinganyoneany favors by acting like you don’t need any help. You’re only prolonging the healing process by isolating yourself and trying to do it alone. “

“I haven’t wanted anyone to see me this way. I’m not used to sinking quite this deep into…this dark pit.”

“Have you talked to Dr. Katie?”

“She’s tried to set up several appointments, but no, I haven’t yet.”

He shoots me a withering look and I curse under my breath. Bowie doing the tough love shit is a hard-ass.

“It’s why we have paid psychologists on the team, for times like these…and for a lot less than what you’ve been through. You like Dr. Katie, right? She’s easy to talk to.” Bowie lifts his eyebrows when I don’t answer right away.

“Yeah, sure. She’s easy to talk to. We’ve never gone super deep, but—” I let out a long sigh. “I guess it’s time.”

“I suggest you set up an appointment with her right away…see your girls…and your fucking girlfriend!” His cheeks get red as he glares at me.

“I didn’t mean to make things worse. I just needed a couple days to think.”

“And how have these four days of you thinking all alone gone for you?” He puts his hands on his hips and stares me down.

“Fuck. It’s been four days?”

He nods.

Fuck.

I press my fingers over my eyes. “Thank you for checking on me. Did Beau let you in?”

“I still had your key from the time Becca and I stayed here. Beau and Linc have been letting your cleared list through your gate—we may have been acting more like you were expecting us than is really the truth,” he admits. “But no, they’d never let anyone inside. I can tell they’re worried about you too though.”

I nod. “Okay, I’ll take care of it.”

He turns on my dishwasher. “Should we order some takeout?”

“Actually, I think I need to make a few phone calls.”

“I’d leave you in peace to do that, but I want to stick around for a while and just make sure…” He grins for the first time since he got here, and I chuckle quietly.

“Suit yourself. Go ahead and order whatever sounds good to you then, and I’ll get started on this.” I wave my phone.

“I’m ordering enough for you too—you need to eat,” he says as I walk onto the deck.

I wave over my head and hobble outside, trying to situate myself comfortably on one of the chairs.

I text Bree and the girls first.

I’m sorry I’ve been so quiet this week. I haven’t meant to hurt your feelings by shutting you out, but I know it’s probably resulted in that. I’ve been dealing with some things and not in the healthiest way. I hope you’ll forgive me for that. If you have time to come over tonight, I’d love to see you, or we can plan on tomorrow too. Or both. Love you all.

And then I don’t hesitate to call Tru.

She picks up right away. “Henley?”

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