Page 95 of Finding Their Place

I wanted to go behind Haley’s back, see if she’d gotten in touch with Lily in Mexico who would tell her men everything. Blaine would let me know what was going down—he cared about both of us too much to let shit grow worse between Haley and me.

But same as I required time to deal with my parents and the whole adoption thing, I expected Haley did too.

My patience ran thin, the close proximity of the other half of the duo I longed for in too much of my space to ignore.

Garrett showered.

I sat on the edge of my bed, elbows on my knees, head hanging, already cleaned up from the long day beneath the hot sun.

My balls ached for release—and I wanted to give him the same. Soothe his hurt in the only way I knew how, by offering comfort. But so much more than my arms or an awkward hug and words that would fall on deaf ears.

There was nothing I could say to ease his heartache, but I could help him forget even if only for a while.

I listened as he exited the bathroom. Tracked his footsteps into the second bedroom. Strained my ears for every rustle he made.

Footfalls once more sounded, and I looked up, my gaze on my door I’d left open.

He didn’t glance my way, his head down, focus on the hardwood floor.

“Garrett,” I called out.

He took a step backward and shifted his attention to me. Dark eyes, expressionless, met mine.

I sat up straighter, my knees spread beneath the towel I hadn’t replaced with shorts like he had.

His gaze flicked over me. “Yeah?”

“You okay?”

Garrett shrugged, his shoulders falling right back into the same slumped position as before.

I stood, re-tucking my damp towel, and moved toward him, my pulse kicking up a notch.

“What are you doing?” he whispered as I opened my arms, ready to invade his personal space—but he didn’t shy away.

“Taking care of you.” I pulled him against my chest, the skin contact immediately settling bits and pieces inside me that had warred for days.

Garrett’s stiff body relaxed with a heavy exhale, and he laid his cheek on my shoulder, his arms reaching around me.

Silence descended—but a sweeter sort, one with whispers of breath and beating hearts.

I yearned to pull him in tighter, wrap his soul up with mine, make all the shit go away.

“I wouldn’t survive this without you,” he whispered. “Losing her…it’s like a part of my heart has been ripped out. It’s barely beating.”

He sighed and pressed in even closer, rubbing his scruffy cheek over my shoulder, his face closing in on my neck. Hot exhales ghosted over my skin, causing goosebumps to ripple down my arms.

“You make it easier to breathe.”

His declaration made blood rush into my groin, but I didn’t bother trying to stop the awakening of sexual tension between us. I needed him in that moment more than I had with anyone.

“I don’t have the connection with Haley that you do, but she owns a piece of me too, Garrett. I ache for her forgiveness.” I swallowed audibly, my heart racing. “I ache for you too.”

His dick thickened against mine—and he didn’t pull away either.

I ran one of my hands up his spine, grabbing hold of his nape and tilting his head back.

Need replaced the emptiness in his chocolate-brown eyes when they landed on mine.

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