Drew crosses his arms over his chest, not in the least bit pissed off. “What’s that?”

  “Ceiling fans,” Uncle Max replies.

  While everyone continues to bicker back and forth, I’m stuck staring at him. He’s here. He came to check on me.

  I’m probably reading too much into it, but I don’t care. The gesture alone is incredibly sweet.

  And he is so beautiful.

  He would take me to Disneyland.

  His gaze flicks to me and he gives me a warm smile. “How are you feeling?”

  I don’t need to see it to know my grin is lopsided. “Like you let me into the ring with three of your best trained fighters,” I tease.

  His pupils darken. “Who did this? Paisley said it was intentional.”

  I open my mouth to answer, but Landon gets there first. “Is there something I should know?”

  “Yes,” I tell him, nodding seriously. “You spelled ‘decision’ wrong in your last status.”

  Both ignore me, too fixated on each other. Well, weird.

  Drew’s jaw clenches, his eyes hard on Landon. “No. Is there something you want to ask?”

  “Just remember who she is and what I’d do if you even think of going there.”

  “And I think she’s old enough to make her own decisions, and you should know me better than to think I’d ever hurt a woman.”

  I lift my hand into the air, waving it around. “I’m here. I’m right here.”

  Mum places my arm down at my side. “Not right now,” she whispers.

  I lean in, grinning. “Oh. Okay.” I wink before going back to watching the showdown.

  Landon shuts up at that, but Dad, not one to stay silent, steps in. “What are you not telling us?”

  “Honey, why don’t we give them some space.”

  “Fuck that,” Max states before turning to Drew. “Why don’t you have a muffin?”

  I groan and stare up at Drew. “I really wouldn’t. But maybe you can take me to get one. We could go dancing, fighting, or to Disneyland, but maybe not take a car. We could bicycle.” I turn to Mum. “Do I have my bike still?”

  Mum shakes her head, her eyes sparkling. “No, honey.”

  “Damn,” I whisper, before turning back to Drew, my smile slipping. “I’m really sorry. We don’t have a bike.”

  “It’s okay. Another time,” he muses.

  “I’ll make it up to you when we go to Disneyland,” I tell him, nodding seriously as I think it over. “You could even get us in the parade. I’ve always wanted to be in one but the last time I tried to take part, it didn’t go down so well with Disney. You could be Hercules.”

  Dad chokes, whilst others struggle to cover up their laughter.

  His lips twitch, like he’s fighting a smile. “I can see you have a houseful so I’ll message you later? We can revisit Disneyland?”

  I nod, unable to keep the grin off my face. “We can totally do that.”

  He chuckles, bending down to kiss my cheek. “Get better.”

  I nod, and he gives everyone a chin lift before leaving the room, a few of them following.

  My heart flutters, my eyes never leaving the door as he leaves.

  He came to see me.

  “He’ll never see me coming being that tall. They are always looking above,” Uncle Max mutters, before grabbing another chocolate bar and following them out.

  “Come on, let’s get you to bed,” Mum orders, tucking her shoulder under my arm.

  “Not until she tells us what’s going on,” Dad argues.

  “It’s none of your business,” Hayden argues. “This isn’t a stranger. Not a random guy we’ve never met. Landon works with him and he’s a good guy. Now drop it.”

  I giggle at her expression. I hobble over, pulling her in for a hug. She tenses beneath me, but I don’t care. “I love you.”

  She winks when I pull back, but then pauses, taking in the rest of the room. She snorts at their expression. “You guys make me laugh thinking you actually have a say.”

  “He really is dashing,” Mum comments, causing me to laugh.

  The laugh turns into a whimper as I become more aware of my injuries. “Mum?”

  She rushes to my side, helping me stand. “Are you okay?”

  “I think I might need to go rest now.”

  She sighs softly. “Come on.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  DREW

  Nora’s stare burns into me as I pace the confines of my office. She’s giving me a moment to get my thoughts together, but right now, my head is a fucking mess and I can’t compartmentalise anything.

  “You’re making me motion sick.”

  Coming to a stop, I shove my hair into a bun, needing it off my face. “You should have seen her, Nora. She had bruises everywhere. It must have been a bad crash to cause that many injuries.”

  “You really like her, don’t you?”

  I sit down on the edge of the desk, thinking it over. I do like her. I really fucking do. She’s quirky, funny and blurts out the most random stuff. It isn’t that she’s easy to be around it’s that I like being around her.

  She’s shy, yet bold. She’s innocent, yet carries around an arsenal of sex toys. I can never quite figure her out. I like her view on the world, about focusing on the positive. Giving out what she takes in. I like it about her. Especially when I grew up with two parents who could suck the energy out of you. Mum is bitchy, moans constantly and only ever has something negative to say. Dad, on the other hand, can never take responsibility for the shit that goes wrong in his life. Not all the time, but most of it. It’s always someone else’s fault.

  Charlotte, however, doesn’t judge. She has opinions, but she never judges people. She sees the good in everyone.

  But her family… they never give her enough credit. Yes, she’s delicate, but she’s also strong. I’m not going to let them scare me off, not when she has already come to mean a lot to me. I’m just not sure what step to take next. I have been wanting to ask her out without coming on too strong. Although I’ve had other girlfriends, I never felt like I had to make an effort to get them. It just happened.

  “Yeah, I do.”

  She grins, jumping off the desk opposite mine. She walks over and punches me in the arm. “Then why so glum about it?”

  “Because her family are certifiably crazy.”

  “When has that stopped you?”

  I snort. “They’re protective of her?”

  “They’re family. Of course, they’re protective. But when has anything like that ever stopped you?”

  My lips twitch when I think of her uncles’ threat when I was heading out earlier. “Her uncle said he had connections in construction before I left earlier.”

  Her nose twitches. “Really not sure where you are going with that.”

  “He wanted me to know he could get a hold of a bulldozer to take me out. He has issues with my height”

  She bursts out laughing. “Discrimination. Not new when it comes to your build. I can’t wait to meet her.” She pauses, watching me. “I will get to meet her, right?”

  “I’m not even sure if she sees me that way. She never said anything after Saturday night. But I’m sure you will even if it doesn’t go anywhere.”

  She snorts. “Why is it always down to the girl?”

  I feel another woman-empowering speech coming along.

  “What are you saying?”

  “Look, although not all men do this, there are some who only want the one-night stand. Nothing more. She was probably scared to bring it up in case it meant more to her than you.”

  I’m insulted by her remark. “Of course it meant something to me.”

  “She’s been through a lot. And from what you’ve said she’s naïve when it comes to social cues. She probably couldn’t read that you wanted more.”

  I walk around the desk, dropping down in my chair. “At the moment, I’m more bothered about what’s going on with her. They wouldn’t tell me what’s going on and I want to help. If she’s in danger, I want to know so I can up her lessons.”

  “Is that the only reason?” she asks, arching her eyebrow.

  I throw my pen at her. “When did you become so grown up?”

  She shrugs. “I can’t help that I’m the smart one.”

  I snort and just as I’m about to reply, the office door is pushed open and Landon steps in. He takes one look at Nora, his eyebrows raising. “Clearly Charlotte’s not as special as you made out.”

  I roll my eyes, not in the least bit intimidated. “Landon, meet my sister, Nora. She’s been here before but you missed her.”

  His eyes widen in surprise. Nora waves. “Hey.”

  He sighs, running a hand down his face. “Stay away from her.”

  “No.”

  I’m not going to argue with him. I don’t want to fall out, but I’m not going to let him push me away from her. The only time I will back off is if she asks me to.

  His jaw clenches. “She’s been through a lot. I’m not saying this because I think you’re a bad guy but she needs time to heal. I don’t want her to be taken advantage of. Not after what she’s been through. It’s too soon.”

  “Why?” Nora asks, surprising me.

  “Why what?” he asks, glancing from her to me, then back to her.

  “Why shouldn’t she move on?”

  When it’s clear he’s not going to answer, I intervene. “Nora, leave it.”

  “No,” she tells me, turning to address Landon. “I know some of what happened to her.”

  Landon’s accusing gaze burns into me. “Really? Did you Tweet it out?” he bites out, advancing on me.

  I hold my hand up. “No, I didn’t.”

  “I was assaulted,” Nora blurts out, her tone softer than before.

  He stops, his jaw clenching. “What?”

  “A few years ago, I was walking home and a stranger attacked me. I was in a bad state. He touched me in places I didn’t want to be touched, places I had never been touched. Before he could get his trousers down, a passer-by intervened.”

  His shoulders deflate. “I’m sorry that happened to you.”

  “Don’t be,” she tells him flatly. “But your cousin, she doesn’t need your pity either. She needs your support.”

  “This is different,” he bites out.

  She slides off the desk, sighing. “No, it’s not. You’re treating her like a victim, not a survivor. Why does her recovery time need a clock? I’d understand if she was making the same mistake but this is Drew. You know him. Have known him for a long time,” she reminds him, and even I’m speechless. Landon, however, looks seconds away from arguing. Nora gets there first. “Out of all the men she could have picked to spend her time with, she picked a good one. One who understands more than some about what she’s going through. He’ll treat her with the care she deserves whilst still treating her like a person and not a broken piece of glass.”

  “You don’t know her.”

  “I don’t need to. I’m talking from experience, and granted, not all survivors will react the same. But from what’s he’s told me about her, all she wants is her own independence back. She wants to take back the power that was taken from her. And who better than Drew to give it to her.”

  “So there is something going on with you two?” Landon asks, his gaze burning into mine.

  “Something has happened, yes. Not that it’s any of your business,” I pointedly tell him. “Do I like her? Yes. How could I not? But I’m not going to hurt her or push her into something she doesn’t want.”

  “Does she return those feelings?”

  I shrug. “I don’t know. I’ve not broached them with her. But I also won’t keep you updated if she ever does. It’s hers to share. She’s a grown woman.”

  “I know that.”

  “Do you? Because all I saw today was you guys trying to control the situation. I understand you all being wary about her spending time with another guy after what Scott did. But I’m not him.”

  “I know you’re not,” he tells me, looking defeated. “But you are also not the person she’s looking for. She wants a marriage, children. She doesn’t want a casual hook up. She’ll get hurt and I’m not going to stand back and watch that. Not again.”

  That doesn’t come off as a shock. “You don’t know what I want, but I can guarantee I’ll never hurt her,” I point out. “I’m sorry if you’re upset over it. I know it’s coming from a good place. But you need to give her some control back. Right now, she feels like she’s letting you all down, and I might not know what happened today, but I’ve got a sinking feeling she did something to try and make it up to you guys.”

  He glances away and I feel like shit for pointing it out to him. He’s a good mate, one of the best, which is why I offered him partnership at the gym.

  “She means a lot to us,” he croaks out.

  “I know she does. Which is why I understand why you are all protective of her and each other.”

  “Even if it is unjustified,” Nora points out.

  “I’m being a prick, aren’t I?” he asks.

  I chuckle. “A little, but it’s all coming from a good place and not a toxic one.” I give him a minute before I broach the subject I really want to talk to him about. “What happened? Is she doing okay?”

  “I thought you could see for yourself?” he tells me, but his tone is light-hearted.

  I grunt. “I didn’t want to disturb her in case she’s resting.”

  “She is. Aunt Kayla put her to bed not long after you left.”

  “What happened? I didn’t even think she had her car back yet.”

  “She hasn’t. She went to go chase up a lead they had on Scott and on the way back, someone ran them off the road.”

  I sit forward, and my hands curl into fists. “What the fuck? Why did she go alone?”

  “She was with her friends from Tease.”

  Nora’s nose scrunches up. “Isn’t that a strip club?”

  “Yeah,” I reply absently. “She liked hanging out there to get content for a book she was writing.”

  “I really need to meet her,” she murmurs.

  I glance to Landon. “Did they catch the person who ran her off the road?”

  He grits his teeth, glancing away. “No. They fucking didn’t,” he admits, before glancing at his watch. “Look, I need to go. If you want to know the rest it’s Charlotte’s story to tell. Not mine. Her dad managed to get her old phone back from the police and replace it since the screen was smashed to fuck.”

  Nora’s phone goes off and she looks down, reading the message. “Dad’s here,” she announces before turning to me. “I’ll talk to you later.”

  “See you later.”

  “I’ll be going too,” Landon declares, grabbing some files off his desk.

  I wait for them to both leave before pulling out my phone.

  DREW: How are you doing?

  I sit back, waiting for a reply. When I see the three dots, my body tenses, hoping it will be her who replies.

  Charlotte: I’m okay. Just a little sore. I feel like I’ve got the world’s worst hangover. Who is this?

  My lips twitch. Only Charlotte could reply to a message and have a conversation when she isn’t sure who the sender is. I think about playing her up, but until I know for sure she’s mentally okay, I don’t want to cause her any unnecessary stress.

  Drew: It’s Drew, and apparently I’m taking you to Disneyland.

  Charlotte: * Insert groan * I’m so sorry. I would blame it all on the drugs, but I think it’s my inner consciousness wanting to go to Disneyland and be a princess.

  I chuckle at her response. I’m not sure what to say, whether to pry or not, so instead of asking what I really want, I decide to keep it light.

  Drew: Landon said your dad had to get you a new phone?

  Charlotte: Yeah. I’m going to need to replace the vibrator too. It was a mess. It got lodged into the seat and door and bent and cracked in places.

  Shaking my head, I can’t keep the laughter at bay.

  Drew: What was you doing with a vibrator?

  Charlotte: It was in my bag and I threw it to one of the girls to hold during the car chase. It ended up as collateral damage. It was my favourite colour too. I’m kind of gutted it never got used.

  Drew: That doesn’t explain why you had it in your bag.

  Charlotte: I was using it for a friend.

  I choke on air at her reply. What the heck? A friend. Before I can reply, she messages me back.

  Charlotte: Not because she wanted me to. I mean, she did. I try samples for her and review them. She doesn’t watch.

  Charlotte: I don’t record it either.

  Charlotte: I think I’m still high.

  Drew: Are you alone?

  Charlotte: Is this a sexting message because I’m going to tell you upfront, I’m not good at it. I end up going into technicalities, like shower sex. Did you know it’s not as easy as people think it is? Me and Harriet tried.

  Charlotte: Not actual sex.

  Charlotte: It was just to demonstrate. The other girls were there too.

  Charlotte: I’m going to shut up now.

  Laughter spills out of me as the three dots at the bottom disappear.

  Drew: I meant alone at home. Now.

  Charlotte: My mum’s downstairs sleeping. Everyone else left so I could get some rest.

  Drew: Fancy some company?

  Charlotte: I don’t think I’ll be able to make it downstairs to open the door and Mum is moody when she gets woken up.

  Drew: Open your bedroom window. Won’t be long.

  *** *** ***

  My fingers brush against the rough bark as I climb the tree outside Charlotte’s window. I texted her a minute ago to say I was outside so hopefully she receives it and I don’t scare her. Heaving myself up onto the branch that ends just below her window, I rap my knuckles against the glass before pushing it open.

  I dangle off the windowsill, spotting her on her bed. “I bet it’s a pain keeping that tree trimmed. Why not cut it down?”

  “I like it,” she whispers, as I ungracefully climb through her window. I get up, straightening out my clothes.