“You don’t look fine,” I murmur.
“You’ve already mentioned that,” he quips, gifting me with his sexy smirk. “But I thought you said you weren’t one to care about looks, Floozy. You’re starting to give me a complex.”
“You? A complex about your looks?” I gasp and clutch at my chest. “I didn’t think it was possible.”
He scoffs. “Don’t worry, Floozy. I’ll be back to sexy in no time.”
“I’m sure you will. But I need you to know that I’m attracted to what’s in here.” As our pace slows, I press my hand to his chest, then motion to his bruised face. “Not just all of this. And I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings or made you feel otherwise.”
“You didn’t hurt my feelings,” he returns with a tight smile. But there’s a vulnerability in his gaze that tells me I hit the nail on the head. It makes my chest ache with need.
A need to hold him.
To kiss him.
To tell him that he’s perfect.
That, even after everything that’s happened, I still choose us. And I’ll always choose us. Even if he had a third eye or a snaggletooth, he’d still be the one for me.
Reaching for his hand, I brush my pinky against his but stop myself from tangling our fingers together the way I desperately want to. I can’t. I’ve already fanned Milo’s rage enough for one day. Still, the innocent touch causes a spark of electricity to race up my arm, begging me to burrow into River’s chest and never let him go.
A swell of resignation blossoms in my lower gut before I fold my arms. “I did hurt your feelings because I made you question whether or not I like you for the real you instead of just the moneymaker.”
A bark of laughter escapes River as we reach the car. “The moneymaker, huh?”
“Mm-hmm,” I hum. “Speaking of which, Milo didn’t even get on his knees before touching it. Doesn’t he know the rules by now?”
“I guess it’s fair since I broke his rule first.” His usual cocky smirk falters.
“That’s on me,” I remind him. “Not you.”
“Now who’s the liar?” he jokes before his jaw tightens, and the playful River I’ve grown accustomed to is replaced by a much more serious man who knows he screwed up.
Who knows we both screwed up.
“We should’ve told him, Reese.”
“We were going to––”
“We took too long. And it’s a bullshit excuse. I feel like shit.”
And it’s all my fault.
“This isn’t on you. You wanted to tell him. I’m the one who wanted to wait.”
“I should’ve insisted––”
“And I should’ve listened.” I take a deep breath. “We can’t go back and change the past, Riv. But it’ll be okay. He’ll forgive us.”
He has to.
Turning his helpless gaze on me, Riv shakes his head. “He’ll forgive you because you’re his sister.”
“Riv––”
“He won’t forgive me, Reese. But that’s on me. I betrayed his trust. And we both know how hard that is to come by. Real friends don’t do the shit I did.”
The bite of pain keeps me grounded as I dig my teeth into the inside of my cheek to keep my tears at bay. I’ve ruined everything. This is all my fault. Yet River’s the one who’s going to truly pay for it.
Even though I’d give anything to argue the opposite, he’s right. Milo’s the most stubborn person I’ve ever met. It’ll take a miracle for him to give me the support I’m craving. And it’ll take an even bigger one for Milo to give River the second chance he needs to prove his loyalty to his best friend.
I’m the worst sister ever.
Sniffling, I glance over my shoulder at Milo. That same hard expression is painted across his face as he trails behind us.
“We’ll figure it out,” I whisper, though I’m not sure who I’m trying to convince.
“I guess we’ll just have to wait and see. Do you have work tonight?”
“Yeah.” I pull out my phone and check the time before cringing. “I have to go right now, actually. This restraining order crap took forever. I feel like I’ve ruined everyone’s day.”
“Stop blaming yourself, Reese.”
“That’s a little easier said than done,” I point out.
“Which means you need a good distraction.”
“Then I guess it’s a good thing I have work, huh? Gibbs is working, too, and he offered to give me a ride.”
“I’ll follow behind you guys.”
Confused, I ask, “What? Why?”
“Because your ex is stalking you.”
I roll my eyes as we round the corner of his truck, then wrap my arms around River’s waist as soon as we’re out of Milo’s sight. He returns it instantly, melting a few more of the reservations I have about our relationship before I remember what the hell we were talking about.
“Gibbs will be there,” I remind him. “He can keep an eye on me and make sure I’m safe, okay? Not a big deal.”
“It feels like a big deal.”
“That’s because all you boys are overbearing alpha protectors who want to keep me safe. And while it’s adorable, it’s unnecessary. I promise I’ll be fine, Riv. Go get some rest and put some ice on that.” I motion to his face. “It’ll help with the swelling.”
Shoes scuff along the asphalt, getting closer to us before I’ve had my fill of River’s warmth, but we end our embrace anyway. River opens the passenger door to Gibson’s car with a sigh and helps me climb into it. Milo had insisted he needed space, so he drove his motorcycle to the police station while Gibson, Jake, and I drove in Gibson’s car. And even though Milo threatened to cut off River’s balls, he trailed behind in his truck, then parked in the stall next to ours.
“Hold up,” Milo calls, jogging closer to us before River has a chance to close my door. “What’s the plan for tonight?”
“Me and Reese have work,” Gibbs answers. “I’ll keep an eye on her.”
“I’ll come and hang out at the bar,” Jake adds, surprising me with his offer as he rounds the trunk of the car and slides into the backseat. For a guy who says he needs space, he’s been pretty damn accommodating today. Maybe we’ll be able to repair our relationship after all. I bite my lip and peek over at him, but he avoids my gaze.
Or maybe not.
“I’ll cancel my appointment for tonight and come too,” Milo replies.
“You already missed your entire day because of me,” I argue, though the bastard won’t look me in the eye, either. “Go to work, Milo. Gibbs and Jake will keep an eye on me tonight. I’ll be fine.”
“I’ll be there too,” River interjects, his tone brooking no argument.
I grimace.
Dammit, River! Keep your mouth shut.
Standing to his full height, my bear of a brother shakes his head and dares him to argue. “No, you won’t.”
“It’s your sister’s safety––”
“And like we discussed, Sonny and Jake will be there to keep an eye on her.” He steps closer, crowding River against the still-open passenger door. “We don’t need you. Go stick your dick somewhere else.”