Page 49 of Stetson
“Red.”
Vodka won. I vomited into the dirt at my feet, bracing myself with my hands on my knees. Instantly, Barrett’s demeanor shifted. He softened his tone, rubbing soothing circles over my back while I expelled the alcohol from my system. “It’s all right,” he whispered.
No, it wasn’t. Far from it. Hot tears fell down my cheeks, splattering to the ground. Once my stomach was empty, I fought to catch my breath.
Finally coming to my senses, I knocked Barrett’s hand away. “Leave me alone.”
“That’s not going to happen, Rookie.” I straightened, and he pointed toward the clubhouse. “Let’s go get you cleaned up and we’ll talk.”
I was drenched in sweat from head to toe, my headache had returned, and now I tasted vodka-flavored vomit. I wanted another shower, my Daddy, and my bed—in that order.
Fuck.I was never drinking again.
I followed Barrett into the clubhouse, relieved to see Levi sitting there. My eyes watered, and he wrapped an arm around me despite my protests. I wasdisgusting. With his other hand, he peeled my sweat-soaked hair away from my forehead. “You’re okay, little one,” he whispered. “Let’s get you cleaned up.”
Levi grabbed a bag at his feet and led me to the showers. After dropping the bag to the floor and setting the water to warm, I kicked out of my shoes and he undressed me. I shivered, and it had nothing to do with the temperature. Levi took notice and stripped himself down, nudging me into the shower stall. Strong arms wrapped around me from behind, and he guided me beneath the spray. The moment the hot water touched my skin, I broke. Sobs wracked my body and tears poured from my eyes. Levi’s arms only tightened around me, but not enough to prevent me from rotating and hiding my face in his chest.
“I’m sorry, Daddy,” I wailed. “I’m so sorry.”
Levi gently shushed me, combing through my wet hair. “I know, baby. I know.”
He seemed to know what I needed without me asking and held me as I cried, letting me get it all out. I flinched when he started to wash me, but he soothed me with gentle whispers and light brushes of his fingers along my spine. Eventually, I was able to pull myself together. My head cleared, and I realized my mistake. When I spoke, my voice was nothing more than a whisper. “I should have just talked to Barrett.”
Levi directed me to tip my head back so he could rinse my hair. “It’s never too late.”
“He hates me.”
“He doesn’t hate you. If you talk to him, I think you’ll learn that much.”
Once I was clean, Levi took his time drying me off. He reached into the duffel, pulling out a cozy-looking tracksuit. As he helped me into it, I let the feel of the soft fleece against my skin ground me even more. Georgia didn’t always get cold enough for such things but in that moment, it was exactly what I needed.
Socks next, then shoes. Another rummage through the bag produced my toothbrush and toothpaste. He’d truly thought of everything. “Go brush,” he said, pressing a kiss to my temple. “Barrett’s waiting for you with breakfast. Can you go out there and talk to him for me?”
I swallowed hard, throat sore. “Yes, Daddy.”
“Good boy.”
And with another kiss, he was gone.
25
BARRETT
I saton a stool in the clubhouse kitchen, leg bouncing a mile a minute. I’d texted Levi the second I realized I might have gone too far, and that Stetson might need a different approach to aftercare. The boy could want nothing to do with me and I’d deserve it. The fury in his eyes wasn’t anything new; I could handle that. But when he used his safeword and those baby blues looked at me utterlybroken, I knew I’d fucked up.
I hadn’t intended on pushing him to that point. Truthfully, I thought he’d fold way sooner.
Then again, Iwasdealing with Stetson Holloway. I should have known better.
Levi emerged from the showers first, beelining for me and pulling me into his arms. “I didn’t mean to,” I whispered.
“I know that, Bear.” Levi splayed his fingers through my hair and kissed my neck, instantly soothing me. “But he doesn’t. He’s agreed to hear you out but you need to tell himeverything.”
“I will.”
I caught movement out of the corner of my eye: Stetson. His wet hair tickled his chin, dripping onto his tracksuit top and darkening the gray fabric. His eyes were red, his cheeks flushed. He watched me warily, like I was going to lunge across the room and attack him. His gaze darted to Levi before returning to me.
“Do you want me to stay?” Levi asked.
