Page 85 of Trusting the Fall
“Oh my god, hide me.” Our little love bubble is interrupted by Lex cramming herself between us. Leif lifts his arm to accommodate her.
“Why are we hiding you, Lex?” he asks.
I love how much the two of them get along. They’re both such down to earth people. And early risers. Ew.
But Lex’s confirmation that Leif is a good guy makes my doubt ease.
I’m trying to lean into my gut, telling myself that it’s so easy to jump in with Leif because he’s the one. But years of running and avoiding don’t go away overnight.
Leif is patient, though. He lets me leap and retreat as I need, his arms open wide, welcoming me into his safety net. He shows me how to trust and have faith by being open and vulnerable with me. He reassures me every step of the way.
There’s only one step I’ve been avoiding. Introducing him to my mother, which is happening tonight.
“Caleb is here,” she squeaks. “Why is Caleb here?”
“Well, he is Heart City royalty. Pretty sure he could get himself onto any guest list,” I say.
The guilty look on Leif’s face suggests otherwise. “I may have mentioned it to Mason.”
“Who’s Mason?” Lex asks.
“His brother.”
“How many brothers does he have?” I speak over my shoulder at Lex, still nestled in between Leif and me. “Didn’t you meet his whole family at the signing party you went to?”
She scoffs. “I was a little thrown by the sight of my one-night stand, dressed to the nines with a blonde goddess on his arm. Forgive me for not remembering names.”
Leif quickly bobs behind Lex’s shoulders. “Shit, he just saw me.”
“Way to let down the team, Lee.” Lex scowls at him.
“Why don’t you just be a big girl and go talk to him,” he sasses back.
“We haven’t spoken since the incident.”
“When you told us all he had a pretty dick?” Leif asks.
“Oh, babe.” I laugh “I forgot to tell you about the other thing that happened.”
“Don’t you tell him!” Lex shrieks.
Leif looks over her head, making a face at me that says,you’ll tell me later. I wink at him right as Caleb, and, I’m guessing, Mason Heart, join us.
I recognise him from The Wayside, the one with different coloured eyes, always behind the bar, pissing off the tattooed grump, Gage. Leif lifts his arm from around us to shake hands with the guys.
“Mase, Caleb, this is my girlfriend, Claire, and the owner of Parlour Tricks.” Mason pins those dual-coloured eyes on me, a big goofy grin on his face as we shake hands in greeting, but Caleb’s eyes never leave Lex.
“And I think you both know Lex,” he says.
“Hello, Siren,” Caleb rasps, and I can feel my friend stiffen behind me.
I move myself away from her to stand beside Leif, leaving Lex front and centre to Caleb’s attention. Not that the man couldn’t find her through a sandstorm.
My hand finds her back in silent support. I know she’s got a crush on the guy, but they work together now. She’s gotta be able to speak to him.
She’s been the pillar of strength for me with Leif, and in every step of my life. It’s time for me to be her guiding light now. “Show him who’s boss, honey,” I whisper.
Her shoulders straighten, and I feel the air fill her with resolve where my palm rests on her exposed shoulders. “Hello, Mason. Caleb.”
