“Only when I don’t get it in right or if it’s been in the same spot for too long.”
I hated the idea of Grae hurting for any reason. But because some random disease had picked her to attack? It pissed me the hell off.
Her mouth kicked into a smile. “It isn’t that bad. It only really sucks when I hit Isla on something, and she gets yanked out.”
I grimaced. “That sounds painful.”
“It’s not rainbows and kittens.”
“I’m sorry, Gigi.”
She scowled at me. “I don’t want your pity.”
“It’s not pity.” I squeezed the back of her neck. “But I hate that you have to deal with this. It’s not fair.”
“No, it’s not. But I don’t think anyone on this planet gets the promise of fair. We all have our shiz; it’s just different for each of us.”
A smile played on my lips. Grae had always had a pretty foul mouth, the byproduct of growing up with four older brothers. But when Lawson had his first kid, she’d made a vow to clean up her act so Luke’s first word wasn’t an F-bomb. She’d replaced all those curses with non-curse variants.
“I guess we do all have ourshiz.”
Grae stuck out her tongue at me. “Come on, or I’m going to be late, and I really don’t want Jordan reaming me out.”
“Okay, Gigi.” We started down the sidewalk, and I had the bizarre urge to take her hand again. There was no reason for it. We’d made our public displays. Rance had seen us, and so had what seemed like half the town. Yet my fingers flexed at my side, wanting to get to her.
What the hell was wrong with me? I didn’t hold hands with women. I’d open doors and guide them with a palm on their back but not take their hands in mine.
I needed to rein it in. To find a way to put some emotional distance between Grae and me. I’d never make it through the next month if I didn’t.
Grae turned up the steps to her cottage. The tiny bungalow fit her, with its welcoming porch and pots of brightly colored flowers on the front steps.
As she came to the door, she pulled up short. “That’s weird…”
“What?” I looked over her shoulder and saw that the door was wide open.
9
GRAE
My heart pickedup speed as I tried to peek into my living room, but Caden pulled me back.
“No way.”
I scowled up at him. “It’s my house.”
“And you’re one hundred pounds soaking wet. If someone is inside, they could take you down in two seconds flat.”
My scowl only deepened at that. “I’ve taken several self-defense courses. I know how to use someone’s body weight against them.”
Caden let out an exasperated sigh. “Fine, you’re a badass. But will you let me go in first anyway?”
I shrugged. “I don’t mind using you as a human shield. Just don’t get blood on my carpet if someone shoots you.”
He glared at me.
“If you want to play all macho protector, you get the bullet holes.”
Caden shook his head but stepped inside.
