Page 12 of Everything I Crave

“But, if you can get through to her in whatever way, you seem to be chosen as her safe space, Lorelei will forever be grateful. Willow doesn’t let her in,” he continues, “or any of us.”

“I don’t know that I’m a safe space, as much as the only option,” I say, a little defeated and surprised at how much I want to be her safe space.

Colton laughs as if he’s picked up on how I feel. “Right. Just like I was fine being a shoulder for Lace to lean on throughout her divorce. You better watch those Harper women, man. They sneak up on you then they’re under your skin, and you can’t give them up.”

I just nod, unwilling to let him on to much more as he seems to be able to know exactly how I feel about Willow.

Something that I myself am still trying to work through. Sparring with her turns me on. The pain in her calls to me, and I want nothing more than to protect her from it. I met her once before Scarlett’s wedding and we spent the day setting up forLacey and Colton’s engagement party. She was funny, kind, and everything I ever imagined wanting in a woman. But now, there’s a sadness to her, something happened.

We pick up the broken pieces of the bar and trudge them out to the dumpster, happy for the physical work after the stress of this morning with Lorelei and the anxiety of seeing Willow tonight.

Chapter Seven

Willow

I tried to sneak into Mom’s house. I went up the backstairs to avoid the kitchen where she and Scott were drinking coffee. But I forgot about that damn fifth step that squeaks louder than my first boyfriend’s rusty truck door.

I cringe instantly.

“Willow, is that you?”

Her chair pushes back on the old wood floor so I know I’m not getting out of this unseen. I go back down the stairs and head toward the kitchen.

“Yea, I’m home. Hey Scott.” I give him a weak wave and get one back in return.

“Willow, if you aren’t coming home at night, I’d like to at least know you’re still alive.” She stands with her hands on her hip.

“Ok, I guess we’re doing this. Listen Mom, first off I’m a grown adult. I know this is your house, but you never gave Scarlett or Lacey grief when they spent the night with Preston or Colton.”

“I knew where they were,” she levels.

“Right, well. I’m just going to rip the bandaid off. I’m moving out. I’m going to work for Gunnar at The Bar, and he offered me a room in his condo. So I’m going to move in there today.” I wring my hands in front of me.

“Today? You’re going to go work at The Bar when you can’t even stay sober for one night?”

I flinch at the accusation. I have been drinking a lot. And lashing out at everyone. Maybe Gunnar is right, it’s time I change that.

“This is good for me, Mom. I’m not a person I like right now.” I try to reason.

She doesn’t answer. She simply grabs her purse and heads out the door. I look at Scott who is trying and failing to be wholly interested in his coffee cup.

“I’m sorry, Scott.” I stand at the edge of the kitchen.

“Not my fight, sweetheart, but if you need to talk, I’m here. I’ve got two boys who went through their own fair share of troubles.” He doesn’t push me to talk and I’m grateful for that. He’s a quiet support, I see it with Mom too.

“Thanks. I’m going to go pack, I guess.” I turn quietly on my heel and head back up the stairs.

It doesn’t take me long to pack up the couple of bags I had in my room. With three tote bags slung over my arm, I head down to my car and put them in the passenger’s seat. I’m grateful for being lazy andnot unpacking the rest of my car when I first got to Mom’s.

I pull up behind The Bar, and see Colton and Gunnar cleaning up. They must have finished installing the new bar. Lacey told me Colton had built a new one for Gunnar after some kind of deal for helping him win Lace over. She sent us pictures, bragging about her man and his skills, before he loaded it up and it is gorgeous.

Both guys are shirtless, but the sight of Gunnar catches my eye like it has each time he stands in his kitchen in those damn sweatpants. But tight jeans without his shirt, that’s a new favorite sight.

I take my time admiring the way his muscles flex and ripple. But I also notice his scars. They mar his skin all over one side of his back, with a few less noticeable ones on the other side. He’s always angled his body so I see his abs, something I never found strange until now. I wonder if they’re the result of the reason he knows my pain.

He notices me sitting here, staring, and smirks at me. Not once does he break eye contact with me as he walks over to my car. I wait until he's standing outside my driver's side door to roll down the window, taking the moment of making him wait to take him in up close and personal.

“See something you like, darling?” he cockily asks.

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