9. Thalia #2
She leaves me alone in the shed, closing the door as darkness shrouds me, and I scream until my throat is raw and scratchy. All the pain, physical and mental, melts together as I shriek my sorrow and betrayal into the lone night.
I’m only shunted back to reality when Alana slides her hand over mine, holding me tightly. “Thalia. You’re more than a pretty face—”
“Would Reed even care about me?” I chuckle brokenly.
My best friend’s eyes portray her sadness as she stares back at me. “If he doesn’t, then he isn’t the one. There’s so much more to you.”
The sincerity in her voice always gets to me—like my best friend can see past my exterior to all of my quirks and compassion.
She’s said time and time again that I’m much like a flower.
It appears beautiful as a whole, but it’s just as extraordinary if every layer is peeled away and extracted.
Poetic as fuck, but she’s the only person I’ve allowed to see the real me.
Which is why I choose my next words carefully. “I really like him, Al. I’m just…scared.”
She gives me a knowing look. “But we would rather say you tried than to say that you let him get away, right?”
I nod.
She smiles. “Then let’s get your surgeon.”
I chuckle. “We’re really doing this, huh?”
“We are!” She shakes my hand excitedly before her lips thin. “After you talk to your brothers.”
I throw my head back. “Ugh! Can’t it wait?”
She gives me a pointed stare. “Whatever is happening with Bailey is big, and I know Rowan is probably going crazy right now with your radio silence.”
“He’s going to yell at me,” I pout.
“Put on your big-girl panties and get it over with.”
“Fine,” I yank my hand out of hers. “I can’t believe you’re throwing me to the wolves.”
“Don’t be dramatic.” She deadpans.
“All so you can probably get laid!” I slouch cinematically, throwing my arm over my head. “The betrayal!”
She snorts. “Connor does love this nightie.”
I giggle. “Get you some, bestie. I’ll see ya.”
“See ya. I’ll get Dr. Bellamy’s new address and send it to you.” She waves me out the door as I mentally hype myself up to talk to Atlas first. He’s the least likely to lose his mind, and the sibling I find the most in common with.
As I trudge across the compound, the night creeps around me. The gentle buzz of bugs fill the air, and I hear the occasional frog as I bound up the front steps of my brother’s cottage. I don’t bother breaking in as I knock loudly on the door.
Atlas is the lightest sleeper I’ve ever met. He’s probably already awake, gazing down at his slumbering wife like a total freak. The dude has been whipped since high school, and there’s no doubt in my mind that he’s going to remain wrapped around Loxley and Sophia’s little fingers until he dies.
Heavy footsteps near the door before it’s yanked open and the large figure of Atlas takes up the doorway. He scowls down at me through the screen door. “You’re fucked.”
“Yeah, yeah,” I wave a hand.
He crosses his arms over his chest, bunching his t-shirt. “You missed the baby shower.”
My shoulders hunch as disappointment pierces me. “Don’t remind me…”
He softens a fraction, running a hand through his hair. “Are you okay? How’s your shoulder?”
I move it, only slightly bothered by the pain now. “It’s fine.”
“But how are you feeling?” He probes. “I know you wanted to be there, Thal.”
My eyes turn glassy as I sniffle. “I’m upset that I missed it.”
He opens the screen door before crushing me into his chest. I wrap my arms around him as he smooths a hand over my back. “I know. We’re just glad you’re okay.”
I close my eyes, letting the last few days roll off me as I sit in my brother’s comfort. “Was Loxley pissed?”
He chuckles. “She was more pissed that you wouldn’t pick up your phone. We were worried sick about you.”
I pull away from him as I wipe my tears. “I still haven’t finished Sophia’s gift.”
He waves me off. “We’ve got plenty of time. She won’t be here for another month. You should worry about Rowan. He was about to tear up the whole East Coast looking for you.”
I wince. “How bad is it?”
“Have you ever seen a grown man turn red in the face?”
I snort. “Plenty of times.”
“Well, he turned purple.”
Oh, fuck.
Atlas slaps a big hand on my shoulder. “Good luck. We’ll all connect tomorrow morning on the Bailey situation. Can’t wait to rearrange Brooks’s facial structure on your behalf.”
My brothers never liked my little fling from when I was eighteen. That much hasn’t changed.
“Not if I kill him first,” I laugh as I tell Atlas goodnight and slow my pace towards Rowan’s house. I’m procrastinating as I leisurely stroll, but I know that one hell of a bitching is waiting for me.
It’s only because they care about me.
Growing up in the lifestyle we were forced into was cold and unforgiving, but my brothers always made sure I had a shoulder to cry on.
From playing dress up, to using my first rifle, they were always there.
Along the way, I started seeing Rowan as more of a father figure than an older brother.
He kept Atlas and me in line, but he cared more deeply than either of our parents could have bothered.
Sure, I give him a hard time about his strict, uptight nature.
But the truth is, I don’t know where I would be without Rowan.
He’s always had this unshakable power about him—like he was immovable and fierce.
He always knew just what to say to cheer us up or change our moods in a flash.
He’s been there for every major achievement I’ve ever had, and he supports me through every endeavor.
Which is what makes walking up the steps of his porch so hard.
Is he disappointed in me?
Has he lost sleep over where I’ve been?
How loud is he going to scream—
“You’re back.”
My head whips to the side, and I squint at the large figure sitting in the rocking chair on the wraparound porch. Rowan is dressed in his jeans and a white t-shirt as he stares at me with an impassive expression.
“Hey,” I say meekly as I step towards him.
He sighs deeply, rubbing a hand over his eyes. The soft light from the kitchen window is dull, but it washes over his shoulders, outlining his frame. “Do you have any idea how worried I’ve been, Thalia?”
I roll my lips in as I nod.
“Are you okay?”
My eyes flicker to him. “Yeah. I’m fine.”
He visibly relaxes. “Thank god. I almost came looking for you.”
“What stopped you?” I ask as I bounce up and sit on top of the railing.
“Addison,” he says softly. “She knew you could handle yourself and told me I needed to trust that you would make it back on your own.”
“Smart girl,” I smirk.
He sits forward, placing his elbows on his knees as he pins me with his eyes. “Just because she was right doesn’t mean I wasn’t sick over you. You’re positive it was Brooks who shot you?”
“Perfect identity match, and he verified who he was on the roof. We talked…”
My brother’s eyes narrow. “Oh?”
“Yeah, he asked me to help him get rid of Bailey.”
He shakes his head as he chuckles bitterly. “Sorry, son of a bitch. I’m going to do to him what I should have fucking done six years ago.”
That makes me smile. “Looks like we’re all on the fuck-Brooks-in-the-ass train.”
My brother’s face twists in disgust. “Yeah, get me off of that one.”
The screen door opens and Addison pokes her head out before a breathtaking smile tugs at her lips. “You’re back! And in one piece! Good for you.”
I hop down before enveloping my sister-in-law in a tight hug. “Do you have something strong in there? Maybe whiskey?”
She hugs me back. “On the rocks?”
“You know it.”