Page 145

“I hope we’re not late.”

Turns out, the guy's house is about a forty-minute drive from Stonehead Creek, smack dab in the middle of nowhere. If I did manage to escape back when I first got there, I’d have had a fun few days of living in the wilderness, that’s for sure.

“Not at all. Everyone just got here, so you’re just in time.”

When we step into the living room, I notice a few people I know. Milly, Olivia’s cousin. Trina, her aunt. Her grandmother, Molly, one of the sweetest women I know, and then Anna, her mom, the person who takes the top spot for sweetest women.

“Cove!” Her face lights up when she sees me. “Oh, I missed you.”

“Hey, Anna.” I smile wide as I give her a hug. She was the closest thing to a second mother, apart from my grandmother, that I had. When my parents passed away, she was someone who helped out a lot while I adjusted.

“How are you, sweetheart?” she asks, pulling back. “Oh.” Her eyes widen. “Who are these gentlemen?"

I almost snort, because there is nothing gentlemanly about them. Well, I guess they can have their moments sometimes.

“Shepherd.” The man in question steps forward, offering her his hand. “One of Cove’s boyfriends.”

“One?” Anna shakes his hand while giving me a questioning look.

“Yes,” Maverick responds. “We’re the other two.”

Anna takes her hand back and grabs mine. “Do they treat you well?”

My heart clenches at her question. She knows what Ronny put me through.

“They do,” I promise.

“And you’re happy?”

“More than I’ve ever been before.”

She smiles softly. “Then I’m so happy for you.” She looks back to the guys. “Hurt my girl, and I’ll hurt you,” she vows.

“We would never dream of it,” Saint declares.

Anna nods and I find a chair near Olivia. Apart from her family, there’s a few other women here. I’m assuming they’re people from Liv’s work.

They’re eyeing up my men—not that I can blame them—but the longer they look, the more I get the urge to stab them in the eye.

Huh. Never been one to have so many violent thoughts. Guess I am a very jealous person when it comes to my men.

I’ve been doing video calls with my therapist over the past few weeks, and she’s helped a lot. The guys even sat in on a few sessions, getting a better understanding on how my mind works.

It really makes me feel so damn loved with how patient and understanding they are regarding my past.

I’m slowly learning what a healthy relationship is. At least our version of healthy.

I fooled myself into becoming comfortable with this little bubble we were living in, acting like my past wasn’t a thing. And then it all came crashing in at once. Cue mental breakdown.

Maverick and Saint take up position by the window while my crazy golden retriever sits next to me. “If you keep giving those chicks murder eyes, I might have to pull you into the bathroom and have my way with you,” he whispers in my ear.

“Shep,” I hiss, slapping his arm. “We are not fucking in my best friend’s bathroom.”

“I mean, I wouldn’t be upset if you did,” Olivia teases, making me jump.

“Oh my god,” I snort out a laugh. “Stop.”

“I’m just saying.” She wiggles her brows.