Page 85 of Finding Their Place

I thought I’d been doing the right thing, stepping aside so Haley and Garrett could be happy together.

I’d fucked up. Big time.

I gained a roommate I didn’t want—but liked too fucking much for my own comfort.

While I didn’t have a spare bed, I had a pullout couch in the room I’d set up as an office.

Garrett had made himself at home while I stewed over what to do.

He’d told me what had happened after he and Haley had woken up, the anguish in his tone, the misery in his eyes hitting my chest like another sledgehammer, stealing my breath.

I had caused his hurt.

Dragged up torment for Haley that I knew she’d fought hard to overcome.

I wanted to text her to tell her why I’d left, but she would blame me as much as she was pissed with Garrett. She would cling to that anger to see her through—same as she’d done years earlier like she’d told me.

I had expected a negative outcome, considering Haley’s stance on lying but had felt sure their obvious love for each other would be enough to carry them through.

And now he’s all up in my space, and I don’t know if I should reach out to her or not.

Garrett sat on the other side of my couch, his focus on the TV, but I doubted he watched the ball game. Cotton sweatpants covered him from waist to ankles, but ripples of muscle and skin lay bare to my hungry eyes that traveled over his torso regardless of how my heart ached for Haley.

It was no wonder she had fallen for him. The man was fit and fine as fuck.

Add in that air of neediness to him, and I got caught up in the same thirst trap she had. Wanting to soothe, hold, and tell him he had meaning. That he was loved and appreciated.

Having new, similar insecurities thanks to finding out about my adoption, I knew it was what he longed for. Even though I suffered in the same way, I’d had a lifetime full of hugs and affection. Hair ruffles and a mother’s warm embrace—

I closed my eyes.

Tina.

It had just been over twenty-four hours, but I couldn’t help hoping for an update from Higgins sooner than later. The anxiety had been set aside easily when I’d been in Haley’s bed, but with the adrenaline crash, the long hours at work in the sun, then Garrett’s unexpected arrival while I’d readied to head over to their place…

Exhaustion beat me the fuck up—physically and emotionally.

“Did you talk to her at all today?”

I lifted my head up from where I’d rested it against the back of the couch. Garrett still stared at the TV.

“No.”

His lips pressed tight for a few minutes. “Was it intentional? Hoping she’d get pissed at me, kick me out, so you could take my place in her life?”

“Is that really what you believe I wanted to do?” I asked, my voice raised in surprise.

“I hardly know you—what the fuck else am I supposed to think?”

Shit. How badly had I fucked up?

“If that were the case, you know I’d be over there balls-deep in her tight pussy rather than sitting here with your broody ass.”

His glower did funny shit to my insides…twisted me up and turned me on.

“Do you regret what happened last night?” I asked when Garrett once more focused on the game.

He wasn’t quick to answer. “I should,” he finally said, “but I can’t.”

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