Chapter 36 #2
She turns to face me. Slow. Purposeful. “You’re right, my job and the ladder are incredibly important to me.
I lost my mom in a horrific fire, and my whole life since I’ve questioned if I could have done more.
If I could have prevented her death.” She pauses, her breathing labored.
“When we talked under the cherry blossoms, I shared the romantic reason for becoming a firefighter. But really, all I’ve ever actually wanted is to purge that feeling.
Hoping if I can save others, I’ll stop blaming myself for not saving Mom. ”
“Savannah, please, there was nothing you could have done—”
She cuts me off with a squeeze of my hand. “I know.”
“You know?”
“Yes. Mom’s death wasn’t my fault.”
I exhale. “Is this because of what my dad told you tonight?”
“No. It’s because of you.” Her hand reaches over, brushing along my cheek and into my hair. “Brodie, my career doesn’t come close to what I feel for you. You’ve helped me believe in myself. Made me believe that I matter. You’re what’s most important to me. It’s always been you. I love you.”
My heart flutters, furiously ticking, my whole body thrumming to life. “You love me?”
“Yes. Of course I love you.”
I’m not sure if she moves or me, but in a split second we’re kissing again. Teeth nibbling. Tongues tasting. Lips damp with tears that could be hers or mine. I tug her closer and closer still, but she holds back, just short.
“Why are we stopping? You want to stop?”
She chuckles. “No. But there’s something else I need to say. About my dad.” She sits up, and when she speaks again her voice is level. Controlled. “He’s gone too far. Way too far. And we both deserve to know that he will never interfere in our lives again.”
“Okay.” I entwine my hand with hers. “How do we make that happen?”
“I’m going to speak to him. Lay out the next steps in the same way he does. Like a business deal. What I need from him, not the other way around. And he’ll agree, because it’s either that or I’ll cut contact with him forever.”
My pulse is back to its ruthless ticking. “I’ll be there. With you. A united front.” In reality I can’t think of anything worse than being in the same room as Mr. Archer ever again, but she’s not facing him alone. Not anymore.
She curls back into my arms, tugging me close. “Really?”
“Yes.” Allowing my eyes to shut, I relax, any final wisps of stress melting away.
I know I can’t fall asleep. That I have to escape back to my temporary bed before Mom wakes. But Savannah’s just shared she loves me. And her body is so warm. And it feels so right to be here. Five minutes and then I’ll…
“Brodie… Brodie…”
I blink open my eyes and for a long moment wonder where the hell I am. Piece by piece I connect together the voice of Savannah, whispering me awake. The feel of our bodies entangled. The gray light filtering through the blinds of my old—
Okay. Now I’m awake. “Shit. What time is it?” I sit up, rubbing at my eyes, and then look down at Savannah, naked in the sheets. “Fuck. You’re so beautiful.”
She rolls her eyes, a lazy smile claiming her face. “I’m an exhausted mess. You, however, look hot as hell when you’re extra mussed up from sleep. Oh, and it’s nearly seven.”
I duck and kiss the end of her nose before gathering my boxers and tee from the floor. “I have to get back to Brad’s room. I don’t actually want to piss Mom off. She’s been amazing with all of us descending on the place yesterday.”
“Okay.” Savannah props herself up in the bed. “Uh, before you go though, you should know that I switched on my phone. About twenty minutes ago.”
I raise an eyebrow and then compute what she’s trying to tell me.
Her dad.
“There were messages from him. I replied. He’s agreed to meet this afternoon. I know you said last night that you wanted to be with me, but I totally get it if you would rather—”
I dart back to the bed and cradle her face in my hands, holding her there, our mouths only a whisper apart.
“As you reminded me last night, we’re a team.
I’ll be there. The only thing separating us now will be if Mom murders me for sneaking in here.
” I feather a kiss over her soft lips. “I’ll check the coast is clear and throw on some clothes. We can make a move as soon as.”
She nods, her frown saying she’d rather stay hidden in my bed all day.
“Hey. I’ve got you and you’ve got me.” I share a final kiss and then creep to the door.
As it was last night, all’s quiet in the Holt household, but as I’m two steps onto the landing a door opens.
I freeze, which is a ridiculous fucking response, and then peer over my shoulder. I’m expecting Mom. Or Dad. Complete with a disapproving glower. However, it’s not their door that’s opened. It’s Brock’s. And it’s the man himself who joins me. Body like a mountain in only his tight white briefs.
I do a double take, cartoon style. “Were you just—”
He throws me a lethal don’t say a word look and pushes me out of the way.
Oh. My. God. Nix is in Brock’s room.
I chase after him. Thank you, universe. Nothing like some good old-fashioned brotherly ribbing to take my mind off what’s coming up today.