Page 99 of Gunner

“Aspen, I am going to move back home today.”

Her shoulders dropped further, and she released a heavy breath. “I figured you might.”

“Are you ready to be here without me the whole day? I’ll still come by for your sessions. For the time being, I can come earlier or later, and I can hang out with you and the girls as well. Like we have done while I lived here. Until you are sure you’ve settled.”

“So, we can be friends? Not just therapist and patient?” she asked quietly.

I reached over, covering her hand with mine. “Of course.”

“Ok.” She looked around the room as though she were searching for someone. Following her gaze, I saw Banshee sitting at the bar, talking with Brandy. The two of them had their heads close together like they were conspiring. I had noticed they often sat at the bar together in the mornings, talking. All atonce, Banshee threw his head back and laughed. Aspen exhaled a sigh and turned back to me.

“He’s very handsome,” I observed.

“Yea,” she agreed. Shaking her head, she inhaled deeply and asked, “Do you need help with your bags?”

“No, I only have two. Would you like to have your sessions in the morning or the evening?”

Aspen glanced back at the bar and then answered, “I think mornings would be best.”

“Ok, let’s get to it then.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Haizley

Once Aspen’s session was done, I met with Amber, and we worked out a schedule that fitted around her. She chose to come back to the house for her appointments. She was looking forward to getting out of the club twice a week.

Grabbing my bags from my room, I looked around once more, then I made my way outside to my car.

“Are you sure about this?”

King fell into step beside me, grabbing my bags.

He seemed to lurk around a lot, always sneaking up on me with words that felt like condemnation.

“I am.”

“He won’t hurt you, you know.”

“He will,” I countered.

“Gunner would never—”

Holding my hand up, I explained, “There are more ways to hurt someone than physically.”

“So, you won’t even take a chance? You won’t take the risk?”

“I can’t. I don’t take risks. Haven’t for a long time.”

“Then you haven’t lived for a long time.”

Looking at the president of the Silver Shadows, someone who had probably lived his whole life taking risks, surviving on adrenaline alone, I said the only thing I could. The sad truth.

“I know.”

Climbing into my car, I backed out of the parking spot that housed my car for the past week and drove through the gates.

I swiped at the tears that slipped out as I thought about what I was driving away from. I didn’t have a choice. Not really.

---