32. July 19th

32

July 19th

I t's been two weeks.

I have spent the time with Darius, growing closer and closer by the moment. His face is finally almost back to its normal color, and he can walk steadily again.

He hasn't kissed me or touched me since the day after that horrible river party, but I can tell he's holding back.

He's respecting my boundaries.

I almost wish he wouldn't.

"Runners!" I jump at the sound of Darius's voice. I'm working in the restaurant at their marina, covered in sweat, but it is so freeing. An adrenaline rush as the patrons keep flooding in and the orders never stop flowing.

A distraction from the fact Grayson hasn't woken up yet.

"Sunday." I don't look up from my plating as Darius steps up next to me. He begins loading up a different tray. Our elbows brush in the small space; the contact is electrifying.

I do my best not to react.

I have learned a lot about the youngest O'Brien brother. He is kind, sweet, selfless.

He gave up his dreams to keep their family afloat. He is the steady voice that pulls Grayson and Axel out of altercations. He is someone I can rely on.

I am no longer angry at any of the brothers for hiding the truth of this town from me, I recognize it was for my own good. Instead, I have redirected my fury.

The dinner rush takes me back into the lull of mindless motion. Loading trays. Garnishing plates. Calling for food runners.

Darius comes and goes as the night progresses, and all too soon, the tickets crawl to a stop.

"You good munchkin?" Rick, one of the cooks, asks sweetly across the line. He was here on my first day too. The older man looks like Santa Claus, but he is an asshole to everyone. Except me.

"Oh, knock it off, Axel will throw a hissy if you're too sweet on her." Wayne is the other cook I met with Axel my first day at this marina. Both of the men are harmless, and they've helped me tremendously in Axel and Grayson's absence. They have been doing their best to cheer me up and keep me busy when I'm here.

I flash them a toothy smile. "He's not here to say anything." I laugh.

"Oh, is that right?"

I spin away from the cooks and my eyes meet Axel's intense ones, before climbing past him to a bulky admonishing man.

"Grayson." A hole in my heart I didn't even realize existed begins to fill at the sight of him. He still has a few bandages, and he's discolored all over, but he's here. His eyes are open. He's on his own two feet.

Without much thought, I rip off my apron and take a running start before launching at him.

He flinches, but catches me.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" Suddenly embarrassed I try to pull away, but his arms wrap tightly around me and he lifts me until I am forced to wrap my legs around him.

"Grayson." Axel's voice is dark and laden with emotion.

Grayson pays him no mind. He uses one hand to secure me, cupping my ass in the process. The other he uses to wipe my sweaty hair from my face and tuck my curls behind both ears. One at a time.

"I missed you, baby girl. I'm so glad to see that you're okay."

I look deep into Grayson's eyes. I can see the depth of his exhaustion. His worry.

"Of course, I am. Why wouldn't I be?"

He presses his forehead to mine. "You can be so stubborn. I was afraid you might do something unwise ."

"You mean stupid," Axel cuts in. He moves until he is at my back, sandwiching me between the two brothers. I don't argue because I can tell Axel is helping hold my weight up. Grayson isn't fully healed. But he's awake. Grayson is awake.

"Well, either you three can clean the kitchen for us or can you get out of our way," Rick gripes behind me.

"Sorry Rick!" I try to twist my head, but I can't see past the brute that is Axel.

"Not your fault, munchkin."

Axel stiffens at my back. "What did you just call her?"

I reach behind me and try to untangle myself from the men, but they don't let me. "Put me down, please? I need a shower and to change."

Axel stuffs his head into my neck, licking a line up the side. "No, I think you're perfect just like this."

This close, Grayson can't hide his emotions as well as he usually does or maybe it's because he still isn't fully recovered. Either way the yearning in his eyes is unmistakable. And even more so, his cock that is slowly hardening.

I roll once against it.

Grayson growls, but it has the desired effect and he jumps back. I have just enough time to get my feet underneath me as I fall against Axel.

The guilt is still a pit in my stomach. I shouldn't be putting myself in these situations with the brothers. But I can't help it.

They are the last of what I have. My only tether to this world. They are the reason I am any semblance of okay.

Grayson's strength. It offers me the ability to stand on my own two feet.

Axel's forcefulness. It makes me realize that it's okay to live in each moment.

Darius's calm. It gives me a safe place to always return to.

"Come on Wildflower, let me take you home." Darius steps into the small space, filling it up the rest of the way with his presence.

Axel tries to hold onto me, but Darius tugs me free. "You two, shut it down. I'll get her home safe."

I offer one more backwards look to both brothers.

Grayson mindlessly reaches out and traces a path down my arm before Darius is tugging me away.

I am happier than I have been in weeks; I missed Grayson and Axel more than I realized.

My heart and brain are churning masses of confusion and doubt.

I can't love more than one man, can I?

As soon as the thought lands in my mind, I throw it as far away as possible. It isn't right.

What the fuck is wrong with me?