Page 42 of Bound By Obsession

“She’s wonderful. We’ve spent more quality time together in two weeks than I think I ever did with Cathy. Instead of hiring help, Rachel likes to take care of her home herself. She takes such pride in every detail and taught me how she likes it. I tried to relieve some of the workload where I could.”

All of us let Wyatt’s admission soak in. Dax responds first, his tone lighter than the frown marring his handsome face.

“You must miss her.”

Wyatt shrugs, putting his burger aside. I think most of our appetites have subsided, except for Garrett’s. “We’ve been apart for twenty one years. A little bit longer won’t hurt.”

“What about your dad?” Axel asks, tilting his head. Goosebumps have risen over his arms but I doubt they’re from the chilled winter evening. Once again, Wyatt surprises me by not avoiding the question.

“Ray was already sick when I got there and he declined quickly. It was…difficult trying to create a bond with someone who wasn’t going to be around for long, but both of them made it easy. After Ray passed, I didn’t really leave Rachel’s side. She asked me to help sort his belongings, showed me photo albums and trinkets from their time together. She helped me to realize I could still build that relationship even though Ray isn’t here anymore.”

I can’t be sure in the light of the fire but I’m sure Wyatt’s eyes dart to the side and his sad smile grows. My chest tightens, the weight of his words settling over me. He met and lost his father in a matter of weeks. I can’t even imagine the turmoil he’s been through, yet he’s not angry. In fact, there’s something raw in Wyatt’s tone that makes me wonder if this is the first time he’s ever let his guard down. I almost forget about the years of tension between us, the biting remarks, the cold stares. In this moment, there’s only Wyatt, and for once, he’s not lashing out. He’s... reaching out.

I sit there, the fire’s warmth battling the chill that’s crept over my skin. Wyatt’s gaze drifts back to the flames, and he says nothing more, but it’s enough. Enough to remind me that underneath, there’s something else. Something that might be worth understanding.

The others seem to sense the shift too. Garrett shoots me a knowing glance, a faint smile tugging at his lips. Meanwhile Dax leans closer, his arm brushing against Axel’s in a quiet gesture of support. Huxley remains draped over my shoulders, his presence alone grounding me.

Not too long after, Wyatt leaves to fetch a garbage bag and returns to clean up. I finish my burger, not wanting to seem ungrateful now that he’s decided not to be a gigantic prick today. Small wins and all that. Once satisfied the beach is clean and his duty has been filled, Wyatt leaves us with a tray of s'more ingredients and skewers before retreating inside. I track the lights through the house, lighting and darkening until he reaches his bedroom. I can’t believe that I’m thinking this, but he didn’t have to leave. We could have hung out or whatever.

“He’ll be okay,” Axel nudges my shoulder. I catch myself staring at the bedroom window and return to those around the fire, noting that their attention is now squarely on me.

“We have something for you,” Dax says across Axel’s far side. I’m already protesting that this evening has been enough, all I could possibly want and need, when Dax pulls a long gift box out from beneath the blanket. Garrett pulls up to his knees, watching intently with a boyish grin on his face. I blush beneath the scrutiny as I accept the box, pulling at the ribbon and revealing a delicate bracelet nestled inside. Dax explains the meaning of the compass, Axel shows me the inscription and as Huxley is putting it on for me, he leans forward to whisper in my ear.

“You mean the world to us.” Huxley’s breath is warm but I shiver regardless. Dax reaches over to take my hand, his thumb stroking my skin in small circles.

“All of us.” My heart stumbles. I glance down at the bracelet, the small silver compass glinting in the firelight. It’s delicate but carries so much weight, tethering me to the love I’m constantly being surrounded by. I run my thumb over the engraved inscription, a wave of tears threatening to spill over. I promised Huxley I wouldn’t but now I’m certain he set me up to fail.

It’s too much. This whole night has been a whirlwind of emotions I wasn’t prepared for, and now this—a symbol of connection, of permanence. A promise. I suck in a breath, willing the air to fill my lungs. For so long, I fought to keep everyone at arm’s length, to keep them out of harm’s way. Then I gave in, allowing them to surround me with affection, but this—this is more than I have ever dared wish for.

“Thank you,” I breathe, glancing at each of them in turn. Every pair of eyes is so different, but the reverence in them is the same. My throat closes with emotion and I swallow hard, pushing myself to say what I feel. What they deserve to hear. “I’m so thankful for all of you. Seriously, I never saw you guys coming.”

“Yet we’ve seen you coming oh so many- ow!” Garrett receives a sharp thump to the thigh from both Dax and Axel. I burst out laughing, reaching out and grabbing them all, dragging them into me. I want to be surrounded, a pile of limbs weighing me down. It’s the only type of comfort I’ve come to desire these days.

Garrett laughs softly, clambering over to plant a fierce kiss on my lips. He doesn’t hold back, his hands cupping my cheeks while I’m certain he’s elbowing the others out of the way. I laugh against his mouth, twisting so Garrett drops onto the blanket in the center of us.

Axel takes the opportunity to scoop me up, cradling me in his arms. It doesn’t stop Dax from leaning forward to kiss me next. My chest swells. Finally, Dax isn’t waiting in the background for his turn. Finally, Dax is taking what he wants.

“That’s enough,” Huxley physically breaks us up, tugging me free and lifting me to stand on wobbly feet. Like a pack of hounds, the three on the blankets crawl after me, hands on my ankles, pleading eyes begging me to take pity. Huxley bends, hoisting me over his shoulder. I squeal, surprised by the strength he displays as he starts to run. Not towards the house but further down the beach, away from the warmth of the fire.

“No you don’t!” Garrett yells. He, Dax, and Axel scramble to follow, tripping over blankets and bottles in their haste. Laughter trails us as I scream to be put down, lightly pounding my fists on Huxley’s back. My hair flies wildly, and I’m giggling uncontrollably as we seem to do a circuit, a bright flash of light cutting through the dark. Huxley stops for just long enough to wrench his SUV car door open and toss me inside. Slamming the door shut, his body weight is on me as a familiar click of the locks sounds, the key fob dangling from his hand.

“Oh, you are so naughty,” I gasp. He chuckles, ravaging my neck.

“I’ll pay for it later,” Huxley murmurs by my ear, and from the banging and screaming on the outside of the truck, I believe he’s right.

Slamming the bedroom door shut, I barely make it two steps before falling to the floor. Tremors rake through my entire body, and in complete contrast, my mind is numb. Pushing the heels of my palms into my eyes, I try to erase the past few hours from my mind. The way Avery totally captivated all of my boys. How they looked at her like she’s the most important person in the world. I was an outsider, encroaching on their private moment and not for the first time, I really wish Nixon hadn’t brought me here.

I wish I could disappear. Leave this world behind and fade into nothingness. More of late, it seems inevitable. Whatever I used to mean to people, whatever impression I used to give when I entered a room no longer exists.

I miss Rachel. She makes me feel like a young child desperate for the end of the school day to run into his mom’s arms. Something I never had, the majority of my upbringing handled by nannies and employees.

When Nixon delivered me here, I thought Rachel and I would still be able to speak regularly enough for her to keep me centered, but the lack of signal here prevents that – another one of his tricks to ruin my life. Instead, I feel completely isolated and without her to anchor me, each night I drift further away.

The group downstairs were all the family I needed up to two months ago, but so much has changed since then. I’m not the same person I was, and I have no idea how to open up to them. They wouldn’t accept me this way even if I could. Once the threat to Avery is no more, I’ll be a distant memory, hiding away in Ray’s mansion to live out my days in peace. That’s the best I can hope for these days.

My despair has fizzled marginally, so I stretch my legs out and roll onto my back, focusing on breathing evenly. Drifting my eyes closed, I inhale and exhale deeply the way a normal person might to relax. Although, I’m so far removed from normal it’s laughable I’d even try.

Knocking sounds on the door, jolting me upright. Taking another moment to compose myself, I push up onto my feet and twist the handle. Axel is standing on the other side, his hazel eyes trailing over my shaky hands before I have a chance to hide them in my pockets. The concern in his expression already has me wanting to slam the door in his face. I don’t need his pity.

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