Page 213 of Second Sets Omnibus
They left me behind because he was a coward. And now, he’s putting forth actual effort toward forgiveness.
My damn head throbs as I make my way out of the bedroom. Coffee, small whispers, and food greet my senses. Coffee. I need all the damn coffee in the world to make it through today like nothing happened last night. Or maybe it’s time to reveal to the boys what’s been going on. It’s not just my safety that’s at stake. It’s Ly’s and theirs, too. That maniac has only ramped up since they’ve come into the picture. Who knows what he’ll do to them?
Fuckkk. My head pounds even harder. Why is being an adult so damn hard?
Me
Breakfast is fine. But we aren’t home right now… Maybe in an hour? We can meet you there.
Asher
An hour is perfect…gives me time to make some stops… And coffee? Your usual?
My cheeks heat. Fuck. He’d really go to creepy Nathan, the ever-smiling barista with a knack for staring at me with lust-filled eyes, all for my perfect cup of coffee?
Me
If you insist.
Like fuck am I going to stop him. If this is Asher’s way of buttering me up in hopes of a sliver of forgiveness. Then so be it. But let it be known; I’m not persuaded by coffee, enticing words, or damn tattoos… Nope. I need something concrete to cling to before I even think about forgiving them for their transgressions. If I ever do.
Asher
Are…you guys okay?
I lick my lips, silently going through the list of shit they did to me and convincing myself that I shouldn’t fall for their traps again. Nope. Never will I jump headfirst into the deep end named Whispered Words. Not gonna happen.
Liar.
Me
I’ve been better…
Looks like we’re having a talk later, after all. Fuck being an adult.
Huffing a breath, I waltz down the stairs and into the sparse kitchen filled to the brim with children and half-naked men.
“Oh God, my eyes,” I hiss, playfully covering them as Kaycee snickers in her seat. “Put some clothes on!”
“Shut it,” Seger quips, rubbing at his stomach when I finally open my eyes. “You’re in our domain. And in this house, we don’t wear shirts.”
This isn’t the first or last time I’ve seen my brothers and their husband-in-laws—as Chase makes me say—half naked. It’s always in the morning when I’ve stayed over after drinking just a little too much wine on girls' nights. Sometimes, like before, they happily drive me home. Or Liv and I crash in the bedroom upstairs.
“Good morning to you, too.” Chase grins as he flips over a pancake, humming a tune. His shaggy blond hair flaps around as he dances along to the music playing on his phone. “Want some pancakes?”
“They’re pretty good,” Zepp says, taking a large bite.
“See! I told you I could cook, Grumpy,” Chase gripes, glaring at Carter, who scoffs in his direction, not even bothering to make a response.
“Morning. I need lots of coffee, and then Ly and I have to head home…” I trail off at the thought of going home. Dread builds in the pits of my stomach. Home. Am I safe there anymore? Will the same thing keep happening until this asshole has enough and takes me as his own? Shit. I suck in a breath and squeeze my eyes shut. This is the second meltdown I’ve had this morning. Understandably so. I guess. Fuck. I need to pull myself together, so Ly doesn’t sense anything really being wrong.
“Ah, you’re getting pancakes from the douchebags living across the street, aren’t you?” Seger asks, settling on a stool with a plate loaded with food in front of him. “I’m shocked you haven’t murdered them yet.”
I wrinkle my nose, falling down the rabbit hole of what-ifs and my family’s safety. “They’re being punished,” I grumble, swallowing the razor blades in my throat.
Carter’s eyes dart to mine with suspicion. He nods his head to the side, clearing his throat. “A word?”
I nod, licking my lips, following behind. As I pass Kaycee, she gently hands me a piping hot cup of coffee without a word. Bless her soul.
