Chapter 25

Bear was sad.The pain in my chest was constant since the minute I drove away from Talia and Leo. It'd been over a week, and it still hurt. I rubbed at it, choking back a whimper. I missed them. Missed making them smile every morning with donuts. Missed hanging out with them during the day. Listening to the cubs' lessons while I sat by Talia's side. Holding Talia's hand when she got nervous. I missed everything about them. I wished I was smarter. That I made things better instead of worse. Then maybe they'd want to keep me around.

"Teddy?"

I looked up, but couldn't force a smile for Audrey. I came back to work right away, hoping for a distraction, but it was hard to concentrate even now. I kept thinking about Talia and Leo, and the pain in my chest would get worse until I couldn't focus.

"Yeah?"

"Are you sure you're ready to be back? You seem… worse than when you left. I thought you'd be over your breakup by now."

I blinked a few times, frowning. It took me a second to remember what she was talking about. I'd forgotten about that completely. I hadn't thought of Kinsley since the day I left. She'd been right. We hadn't been going out that long, so it didn't affect me so bad. Not like leaving Talia and Leo did.

"It's not that…"

"Then what is it? Because you've been sighing and frowning since you got home. Did you not have a good reunion with your friend?"

"No, I did. It was fine. I just…" I didn't know what to say. I didn't want to tell her about Talia. It hurt too much to say out loud. Bear protested hard, and every time I got into my truck, he tried to force me to go back. I couldn't, though. I made things worse for them. I couldn't keep pretending I belonged there.

"Maybe you should think about going back…"

I wasn't sure when I started looking down at my hands, but my head whipped up at her soft words. "What?"

She forced a smile, putting her hand on my shoulder. "I care about you, Teddy. I love having you here. You make women feel safe and in today's society, that's not easy to do. But you aren't happy here. I don't think you have been for a while. You obviously liked being around your friend. You extended your vacation twice to stay out there. Maybe you'll be better off moving closer to them."

"I wish I could," I admitted. "Can't though. Don't belong out there. Don't belong anywhere."

"Oh Teddy. You know that's not true. People love you."

Just not the people I wanted. I shrugged, looking over the crowd to avoid her gaze. Audrey sighed.

"Look, I'm putting you on the door. You aren't up for your usual work right now. Darnell will check IDs. You make sure people aren't too rowdy. Maybe it'll give you some time to clear your head. You can't do your job if you're not really here."

I didn"t know what that meant. I was right next to her. But I didn't fight her. It was her club. I trudged out the door, leaning against the wall on the opposite side of the door to Darnell. He raised an eyebrow at me, but didn't say anything, giving his attention back to the women waiting to be let in. They teased and flirted, hoping to use their wiles to let them in early.

I ignored them, pulling out my phone to check for messages. Still nothing. I didn't know why I bothered checking. It wasn't like Talia was going to call. And it hurt every time I saw the screen light up and nothing new popped up. I thought I was lonely before I left, but it was way worse now. Audrey was right, I wasn't happy here. But I couldn't go where I was happy. So what did I do next?

Planning wasn't my strong suit. Mama was the one who helped me find the job here. She thought it'd help give me a purpose or whatever. I still hadn't told her what happened with Talia. When I called to tell her I was home, she asked me to come visit, but I lied and said I had to get back to work. I was afraid if I went to her house, she'd be able to tell right away how sad I was. Then I'd have to admit my stupid instincts drove the people I loved away.

I was only half paying attention to the line of people when a few whispers caught my attention.

"Is that a kid?"

"What is she thinking bringing him here? This isn't a place for kids."

"Do you think they're homeless?"

I looked up with a frown, scanning the line of people. I didn't see anyone with a kid. Not until Darnell coughed to get my attention and jerked his chin over my shoulder. When I turned around, my heart stuttered in my chest before picking up speed, pounding so hard I thought everyone around me could hear it.

"T-Talia? Leo? Wha–"

Never in a million years did I think they'd show up here. Talia was too scared to leave the compound most days. I had to be imagining it. I rubbed my eyes, blinking rapidly to make it go away. It hurt too much. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get them out of my head. When they came closer, I nearly buckled from the pain in my chest.

"What're you doin' here?"

"We came for you," Talia murmured. I could see her fear, see the tight grip she had on Leo's hand. She pushed past it, the corners of her mouth tipping into a tiny smile. "We miss you."

"N-No… I wasn't no good for you. I made you guys fight…"

Leo shook his head, his chin lifted stubbornly. "No, you didn't. You made us better. Mom smiles when you're around. I… I didn"t want you to go. I'm sorry I made you leave."

It hurt not to reach for him. A whimper escaped, and I looked at Talia helplessly. I didn't know what to do. I didn"t want to make things harder for them. But I wanted to go to them so badly, it hurt.

I watched her summon her courage, sucking in a shuddering breath. When she locked eyes with me, her expression was timid but determined. "We want you to come home, Teddy. You… You feel like ours. Our family. Please come home…"

My willpower shattered completely, and I lunged for them, stooping to pick up Leo before wrapping my arms around them both. Big sobs shook me and I buried my face between them to hide it. They squeezed me back just as hard, Leo's little arms around my neck almost choking me. I never wanted them to let go.

A chorus of sappy coos and cheers swelled behind us. I knew people were watching us, but I couldn't care less. I didn't think anyone was listening when I wished every night to have these two back. I thought for sure I'd end up alone and pining for them.

"What's going on out here?" Audrey demanded, coming out of the club.

I finally lifted my head enough to look over my shoulder at her, but I couldn't move even an inch away from Talia and Leo. I kept them smooshed up against my chest, my heart still racing out of control.

Audrey propped her hands on her hips, looking us over. "So this is the reason you've been so depressed? You should've told me. I would've sent you back right away."

I huffed out a watery laugh, shaking my head. I couldn't explain it to her. I was too jumbled to get the words out right. So I said the only thing that mattered.

"They're my family."

Audrey's face softened into a small smile. "They're beautiful, Teddy. I'm going to miss having you here. Take your family home and be happy, okay? It feels wrong seeing you frown all the time."

"Thanks, Audrey."

She waved me off, turning her narrow-eyed gaze on the crowd of people watching. "Show's over. Let them be."

Turning back to Talia and Leo, I had to ask, "How'd you find me?"

"Aunt Kiara came home. She says she can find anyone," Leo informed me. "She said you were easy to find."

I didn"t know what to say to that. I didn't hide where I was, I guess, but I didn't give anyone my address either. The most they knew was what city I lived in. I wasn't about to complain, though. Not when I had my family back.

"My place isn't far. Unless you had a place to go?"

Talia shook her head, glancing over her shoulder at the sleek black town car sitting by the curb.

"Aiden let us borrow his plane and got us a car service. We came straight here."

It made me happy every time they said that. I hugged them tight and jerked my chin towards the alley. "My truck is parked out back. Let's grab your bags and you can stay with me. I gotta pack. And call my mama. I, uh… I haven't told her what happened yet. She might yell at me…"

Leo made a face. "You still get yelled at? You're a grown up."

I lifted a shoulder, keeping them tucked up against me as we walked over to the town car. "She's still my mama. She says it don't matter how grown I am, I'll always be her cub."

"Big cub," Leo pointed out with a snicker.

"True. Bigger than her, even. She's gotta look up pretty far to yell at me in person."

That only made Leo laugh harder. He let me put him down so I could grab their bags from the driver waiting, and took his mama's hand so I could carry them. Talia was quiet but smiling, her fingers laced with mine. I kissed her temple, leading her and Leo to the back of the club.

"I'm proud of you. You came all the way here for me. You're real brave."

"You were worth it," she whispered. "I missed you."

She was gonna make me cry again. I hustled to my truck, suddenly in a hurry. The faster we got back, the faster I could have them in my arms again. And if I had my way, I was never letting go.