Page 18 of Shea's Hero

“And you—”Stop. Not my business.

Shea answers my unasked question. “Niall really wanted to get Jade back to Texas. She went through some pretty bad stuff last fall. It’s safer for her there.”

My jaw clenches. “What about what’s safe for you?”

“I have a job here, Oliver. A house. There are things—” She stops. “Anyway. Blade and Arrow set up enough security here to rival the White House. And they’re bringing me to work and back. I’m not going to do anything stupid.”

Shit. Now I’m screwing this up even more. “I didn’t think you would, Shea. That’s not what I meant.”

“No. I know.” Sighing, Shea adds, “I’m a little on edge, I guess. But… Oll. Why are you here? Really? Did Maya put you up to this? Cole? Niall?”

I take a moment to glance around the room as I consider my answer. The space looks just as cozy as Shea’s apartment back in Virginia, the couch and chairs draped with handmade blankets I know her mom made. On the walls are dozens of photos, some of her parents, some of Niall in his uniform, and scattered among them, candid pictures of Shea and Jade. Dozens of books line the bookshelves on either side of the TV, with little mementos tucked among them.

Mementos fromourmemories. The little stuffed bear I won her at the Arlington County Fair. The replica of the Hope Diamond we bought at the Smithsonian, Shea laughing as she pretended to put it on her finger. And—oh—the framed cherry blossom back from our first spring together.

Why did she keep all of it if she didn’t want to be with me?

Why am I here when I don’t have to be?

Why haven’t I dated anyone since Shea, or even considered it?

“No one put me up to it.” As Shea looks at me with an unreadable expression, I admit, “I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“But.” Her delicate features crease in confusion. “I’m sure you knew. Cole would have told you. Or Maya.”

“Yes.” I cross the room to look at her bookshelves, studying the rows of books. Her collection of Stephen Kings is frontand center, all hardcovers since he’s her favorite author. “Still reading these gory books, huh?”

I glance over at Shea to catch her making a little face at me. “They’re not gory, Oll. There’s violence in them, but it’s secondary to the plot. And not all of his books are like that.The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon,Elevation, and plenty of his short stories?—”

“I know.” Smiling, I add, “I just like to get you going.”

“You always did.”

Andthere.

As her gaze meets mine, my heart flips over. Stutters.

How could I have ever thought I was over her?

“I know what Cole said. And Maya.” Heading back towards her, I raise my eyebrows at Shea in silent question.

She glances at the couch, then back at me. “Do you want to sit down?”

“Sure.” Once I’m seated, I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I know they said you were okay, Shea. But it wasn’t enough. I needed to see for myself.”

“Oh.”

And in the silence that follows, my heart drops to my feet.

The back of my neck goes hot.

Now’s the point where Shea politely asks me to leave. Tells me it’s not my business anymore.

Then.

She smiles, for real this time, not like the strained one she greeted me with at the door. Then she slides off the arm of the couch and onto the cushion. “I’m glad you came.”

Turning towards her, I say, “I know I should have called. Texted. Not just shown up like this. But I couldn’t stop thinking?—”

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