Page 61 of Trust My Bodyguard

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Brody

Another report ruined. Why can’t I get my head on straight?

Heaving a sigh, I wad up the page and toss it toward the trashcan in the far corner. The projectile stops five feet short and dances in a graceful twirl onto the otherwise clean floor of the conference room.

“Fuck,” I groan and throw my head back. I can’t even discard garbage correctly. I’m a fucking mess.

Footsteps pull me out of my self-loathing. I look up to see Sera creeping toward the discarded piece of paper.

She picks it up, making eye contact with me. “Don’t mind me. Just going to put this where it belongs.”

I watch her walk away, surprise making me pause. “Have you been here the whole time?” I glance at her desk stationed in a corner of the room close to the entrance.

“Yep.” She throws the paper away and turns around. “You can keep writing. I’ll keep tossing.” Her smile falters as I don’t react. “Seriously, I don’t mind.”

“It’s five p.m. on a Saturday. You mind. Anyone would mind.”

Her shoulders fall. “Nick asked me to stick around and make sure you don’t do something stupid.”

“Me? Do something stupid?” I exhale and rub the heels of my palms on my eyes. Of course, I’m a source of concern now. I’ve given my friends every reason to think that about me.

It’s been a shitty week. Not for HEY, for me. But I should be happy. HEY got another client shortly after the Ross sisters’ case wrapped up. It was only a case of a missing puppy, but still it’s better than nothing. Everyone got a kick out of going to the pet store and playing with dogs in the name of finding our missing forever friend.

I wish I could say the same for myself.

I’ve been in a shit mood throughout and I’ve been a pain to be around. It’s no wonder the guys insisted I stayed back at our client’s home in case the puppy turned up instead of going to the field with them.

Well, I’m done being looked down upon.

“I won’t do anything stupid, Sera. You should go home.”

She stands there for forty-three seconds staring at me. I know because I’m counting. If I don’t keep my mind busy, I’d think and that hasn’t been going well for me lately.

She finally speaks her mind. “Is something wrong, Brody?” She’s been giving me uneasy glances all week so it’s about time. “Did something happen?”

“I’m okay.” My voice breaks. “Just fine.”

She steps closer, hesitation in her stilted motions. “If something’s wrong, you know you can talk to me, right? I’m great at listening.”

I doubt talking would resolve the turmoil I’m facing.Talking won’t bring her back. “Thank you. I’ll remember that.”

“Great.” She goes back to her desk and picks up her bag. “See you on Monday. Have a nice—well, try to feel better.”

I give her a two-fingered salute and listen as the door closes, leaving me truly alone. I sink in my seat and cover my face with my hands.

The fuck is wrong with me? I never get this way over anyone. People have come and gone in my life. I’m used to it. I expect it.

However, the Ross sisters worked their way into my heart in a way I could never have expected. Especially one. I can’t believe I miss arguing with Ivy. Maybe that’s why I’ve been starting fights with the guys over nothing. Yet, none of their rebuttals come close to what it felt like when Ivy was here to drive me insane.

Imagine I tell them that’s the reason I’ve been a mess. I can’t. Hell, I don’t even want to tell myself that so I’ve been writing and rewriting this report hoping I get through a page without messing up and scribbling her name.

The conference room door glides open. It’s nearly soundless but I’m used to it now.

“I thought I told you to go home.” Sera can be persistent when she wants. I don’t need that now. I need space to wallow.

“No, you didn’t.”

---