Page 70 of Hunted
“Come on then,” Bower says, giving my hand a tug as he leads us up to the massive front doors.
He lets go of me to push the door open, then steps back as Weston and I enter side by side, my head tipping back to take in the entrance hall. It’s not as big as the houses Reece and I grew up in, but it’s still impressive.
What surprises me most is that it doesn’t feel stuffy and elegant like I expected. The modern furniture and artwork give it a more casual feeling, making me feel a little more relaxed.
I hear a click and something flashes, I turn to see Bower holding up his phone to us, a smirk playing on his lips. “Just wanted to remember the moment you came home.”
Before I can respond, we’re led to the right, which is obviously the main space of this house. A large open living room and kitchen seem to take up most of this floor and my eyes bounce around, trying to take in everything at once. The large L shaped couch, the massive flat screen TV that must be at least ninety inches, the abundance of video game systems lining the shelving underneath, and along the back wall, past the kitchen, large windows that look out into the backyard.
“It’s beautiful,” I say, noticing the three of them are watching me, waiting for my reaction.
“Why don’t we show you the bedrooms and bathrooms upstairs?” Kingsley suggests. I nod as my eyes continue to explore the space as we follow him and Bower upstairs with Reece right behind us.
“This is my room,” Kingsley says, pointing to the first door on the left. “The next door is Bower’s, and we share a bathroom between us, which you’re welcome to use.” He pushes his door open so I can peek inside. It’s clean and tidy, the walls painted a navy blue with matching white and blue bedding. It suits him.
Reece points to the door across the hall. “That’ll be your room, West.”
Weston’s eyebrows raise in surprise. “I have my own room?”
“Did you think you were gonna bunk with one of us?” Bower asks with a laugh.
“I guess I hadn't really put much thought into it.” I let go of Weston’s hand so he can explore his new room.
The walls are painted a medium toned gray with dark gray bedding. There are gray accents on the pillows and curtains and somehow, I feel like it matches his personality. He seems to narrow in on some boxes stacked against the side wall and moves to them. He opens up the top one and sucks in a sharp breath.
Whatever he sees in there has surprised him.
“What is this?” he asks, reaching in and pulling out a picture frame.
“That’s all Arnold’s doing,” Reece says, making my eyebrows pinch together in confusion.
“How…” Weston starts and trails off.
“I asked him to find out what was happening with your apartment. He spoke to the landlord. They considered it abandoned when you were gone for thirty days. Luckily, he kept your stuff in storage for you. He also wanted to pass along that he was very happy to hear you were okay, and if you need an apartment, to call him and he’ll give you the next one available.”
Weston frowns down at the picture frame, his lips pressing into a tight line. I move closer so I can peek over his arm and get a look. He turns it towards me so I can see the photo of what must be a younger version of him and his brother, both in their military outfits.
“Brian?” I ask.
He nods. “Yeah, he was there at the airport.”
“He was?” I ask in surprise. I was so caught up in my own head I hadn’t realized Weston was going through something, too.
“He said he believed me, about before. And he was sorry. He wants me in his life again.”
I frown, considering how that must feel. Being cut out of his brother's life so harshly, it’d be hard to trust him again.
“What do you want?” I ask as he places the photo on the dresser and stares down at it.
“I have a nephew, Timmy. I didn’t even know, and he’s already three years old.”
My eyes widen in surprise. He’s an uncle, and he had no idea.
“I’m sorry he kept that from you. Do you want to meet him?”
Slowly, he nods. “Yeah, I’d like to be there for him. And maybe me and Brian can get back the relationship we had before. I’m not entirely sure if I can fully trust him not to ditch me again, but I think I’d like to try.”
I wrap my arms around his waist, and he pulls me against his side as I hug him tightly. “No matter what happens, you have me now,” I tell him.
