Page 15 of Quietly Falling
“But—”
“No. Look, I shouldn’t have said that. You’re where you’re supposed to be. We’ve talked about this. You’re happy; that’s all that matters.”
But what about you?
I can feel everyone around the fire asking the same question even though no one’s uttered a sound, but for fuck’s sake… I don’t want to do this tonight.
I don’t want to do this ever.
Mason shouldn’t feel guilty about being happy and in love.
Why couldn’t I just keep my fucking mouth shut?
This.
This is why I stay on the periphery. Less of a chance to fuck things up when you can just keep things superficial.
“I saw Sorren when I popped into Vetted Paws this morning to ask if they could take some dogs from across the state. Said he’d call in help because you’re not available. Heard you’re goin’ on a road trip.” Jensen smirks, breaking the awkward silence and making him my favorite person at this fire.
Almost.
Dammit, can’t a guy catch a break around here?
“Yeah, I guess. Gotta pick up the counter Rhea ordered.” I peek at Remi’s sleeping face— the only thing not covered by the blanket she’s wrapped in. She’s the only thing keeping me from losing my mind right now.
Maybe I’ll just duck out early and take her home with me, and give Jensen and Nessa a night off. She can get up in the morning and play with the dogs. They’ll all be in heaven.
And it’s not like I sleep anyway.
Not well, at least. Just enough to keep the migraines at bay. I haven’t had one as bad as when Lana and Mason were first dating, when he found me balled up in the fetal position on my bed. I’m not his job to take care of like that anymore, so I had to make some changes, and so far, I’ve been all right.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Mason asks, his mouth tipping down at the corners.
“It hasn’t been that long,” I tell him, glaring at Jensen as his smile widens.
“Not goin’ alone, are you?” the sheriff adds, and I make a silent vow to make sure I get Remi all wound up on sugar and treats every time I see her.
“What?” Montana asks, his gaze ping-ponging between us.
“He’s goin’ with Ella.”
“Ella, from the Poppy Seed, Ella?” Montana chirps excitedly. “She’s cool. I don’t go in there much but I can see it.”
“See what?” I ask, wanting to kick myself as soon as the words leave my mouth despite desperately wanting to know the answer.
It’s ridiculous, honestly, but I can’t help the way my pulse kicks up at the thought of her.
“That you two would be good together,” he says like it’s obvious, the statement making me just blink at him like he’s out of his mind.
Because he is.
“I barely know her.”
“And whose fault is that?” Montana adds, my gaze darting to Archer who is trying to look busy rearranging the pastries in the box. As the resident shy and easily flustered friend, it’s not surprising he’s avoiding this conversation at all costs.
Which is honestly ridiculous because he was the first one to land a girlfriend.
I growl, and the sound makes Remi rub her face into my shirt before settling again. I need to get myself under control.
