Page 39 of What the Heart Wants (Desires of the Heart 1)

“Yeah, I just challenged Easton to a shot contest apparently, and just woke up,” I admit.

I hear him let out a sigh. “When are you coming home?”

“In a bit,” I say but don’t offer anymore.

“Alright. I love you.”

“I love you too,” I whisper. I hang up, leaving my phone back on the charger and walking back to my friends.

“They pissed?” Easton asks.

“Probably, but we had gotten some information about Kyla that threw everyone for a loop,” I say sitting back down.

“We know, you told us last night,” Dylan says.

“I just felt alone while everyone went off and dealt with their shit alone, you know? I needed company,” I say.

“We know; and we are here for you, man. The thing is that your girl is alright and she’s alive and, from the sounds of it, healthy. Don’t let that past ruin what you guys are building,” Dylan says. I nod my head.

I spend the next hour talking with them before I’m awake enough to head home.

I’ve never stayed out all night before, so I know that my partners will be mad.

When I walk into the house, I spot them all in the kitchen, Kyla is sitting at the table laughing at something Grayson said.

“Hey,” I mumble.

Kyla runs up to me, hugs me, and then pulls back, looking at me with a glare.

“Don’t you scare me like that! No one knew where you were!” she says in a stern voice.

“I know; I’m sorry,” I say, and pull her back into my arms.

“What happened after I left?” she asks, and pulls me over to the table.

They all sit around the table, and someone hands me coffee and a plate of food.

I shrug. “Nothing. Everyone went off to deal with their stress in their own way, and I was feeling lost, so I went to see some friends.”

Kyla grabs my hands in hers. “How were you feeling lost? And how do you all deal with stress?”

“Well Levi buried himself in research to learn everything and anything about your heart. Then Grayson went to the gym to exhaust his stress, and Asher went to his spot to think about it and clear his head,” I say as I start eating.

“And how do you deal with stress? How did you used to?” she asks not taking her eyes off of me.

“I usually deal with it alone by keeping myself busy. Before Bethany died, I always had her to talk to because she knew I didn’t like to be alone when I’m stressed,” I admit and look down at my plate.

“I’m sorry I left and couldn’t help you. I had a long talk with my parents, so they shouldn’t be bothering me as much when I’m out with you guys,” she says.

“What did you tell them?” I ask.

“That I was in a relationship, and they needed to let me have some freedom,” she states.

“Did you tell her that the relationship was with all of us?” Levi asks.

“Yeah, they were shocked, but were happy with it as long as I was. They said they would like to meet you guys for dinner one night,” she says.

“What happened to your phone?” Asher asks angrily at me. I look at him surprised.

---