Page 38 of The Secrets We Built Together

At least working this injured man for my own gain would get me into the shower quicker. I could be nice and clean as I slipped down that descent into hell. Oh well, he did offer and he's a big enough boy to say if it's too much for him so I was washing my hands of the responsibility.

As the first of the boxes were carried past me, I opened the car door and unclipped the car seat. My eyes found Xander standing on the small porch at the front of the cottage who watched me carefully as I approached.

"Welcome home," he said, reaching out to take the car seat from me. "Why don't you go see if you want to change any of the furniture around in your room before we start bringing the rest of your stuff inside."

I felt like my head was in the clouds as I wandered into the cottage, realizing that I'd never been here before. The first thing that hit me was the scent—unmistakably Xander. A clean, slightly woodsy cologne mixed with something that was just him. The cottage felt lived-in but tidy, like everything had its place. I ran my fingers along a bookshelf as I passed, wondering what kind of books he read when no one was looking.

If I hadn't seen Booker walking out of a door boxless, I wouldn't have known where my room actually was. I found Reece inside, hands on her hips as she looked around at the space.

"It's a bit small but it will do until the new house is built," she said. "Maybe if we move the bed further towards the back wall, that would give you enough room to set up a crib in that corner," she said, pointing to the corner in question.

My mind was still stuck on the beginning of her statement though.

"This is only temporary," I told her. Even I heard the question in my voice and she smiled softly.

"Sure it is," she said brightly.

Somehow even though she'd agreed with me, her face said something completely different. But honestly, I was way too tired to care because the hard work of an unexpected move was starting to set in and honestly all I could think about was getting a shower and some form of carbs, preferably accompanied by sugar.

I had a terrible feeling that Xander and I were about to have some meddling friends and relatives running amok in our lives, and with the current level of chaos my emotions were in right now, I wasn't sure I'd be able to figure it out before it was too late.

I looked over my shoulder at where Xander and Booker were bickering about physiotherapy and recovery time to make sure they weren't paying us any attention.

"Look, Xander is an incredible guy…"

Reece's grin widened and she nodded enthusiastically.

"But he deserves more than what I can offer him. Look at the mess I'm in. Look at what he's trying to build here. I'm not going to distract him with my problems any longer than I need to. Once all of this is figured out, Amelia and I are moving out and starting a life somewhere. I don't even know if I can say that's going to be in Willowbrook. Amelia comes first now, and I have to do whatever is best for her, wherever that may be."

Reece's grin slowly slipped away and then suddenly I found myself in a crushing hug. "I was once running from the world, with my eyes only on the problems that surrounded me," she whispered in my ear. "All I'm going to suggest is to make sure that you pay attention to some of the other stuff as well. I don't want you to miss something that's right in front of you."

Reece pulled back and then with her hands on my shoulders she turned me to face the guys who were watching us curiously now. I saw the concern on Xander's face as his gaze moved over me, as if he was searching for a problem he'd missed before.

"Is that everything inside now, boys?" Reece asked moving to my side.

Booker frowned looking between the two of us, clearly realizing that he'd missed something. He took a cautious step closer, almost automatically like he was ready to take on whatever it was that could be hurting the woman he loved.

My heart lurched at the thought.

I needed that in my life. Someone who was ready to fight my demons with me.

My gaze moved to Xander then, because I had to admit that I kind of already did. Xander had already stepped up. He was trying, and that meant more than I could ever possibly express. I'd only ever really had Delaney in my corner and that corner, even with her warm and vigilant presence, had been starting to feel a bit empty. And it had felt like that for longer than I cared to admit.

But maybe there was someone else standing in it now.

Booker winced as he set down a box, and I noticed him flexing his fingers.

"This is the last one," he confirmed. "Did you leave anything in storage?" Booker asked, fidgeting with his cast like he was getting ready to tear the thing off.

"Just my dignity," I replied, looking around at the mess that now surrounded us.

"That explains a lot," Booker muttered with a smirk, staggering to the side as Xander playfully shoved him.

"You okay?" I asked, nodding at his arm.

"Fine," he grumbled. "Can't wait to get this damn thing off."

"Billie will be handling your physical therapy," Xander said, and I watched as Booker's expression darkened.

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