I can’t watch this. I can’t watch them together.
Mom and Dad start talking about the game, with Garrett and Eve chiming in. I answer their questions and do my best to join the conversation without looking at Reese and Hunter. When she giggles, I look up to find him smiling at her. The lovesick look on his face should make me happy that she found someone who seems to worship her. Instead, it does nothing but piss me off. I’ve waited for this day for months. Months. And he’s monopolizing all of her time. This was supposed to be my time with her. I’m aware that my inner self sounds like a five-year-old child throwing a fit, but dammit, I fucking miss her.
All through dinner, he’s touching her. His arm on the back of her chair, pushing her hair out of her eyes, wiping the corner of her mouth. He’s attentive, and in any other circumstance with any other girl, I’d commend the guy, but she’s not just any girl. She’s Reese. My Reese. And he’s hoarding my chance to spend time with her. I just need a minute or two with her, just us before she leaves. Dinner has long since been cleared, and the dessert plates are empty. It’s now or never.
“Reese.” I hate the crack in my voice as I say her name. I take a sip of water and try again. “Take a walk with me?” It’s a dick move, pulling her from our family and Hunter, but fuck it. I need time with her.
She looks at Hunter, and he nods as if giving her permission, and that pisses me off. She’s a grown-ass woman and can do whatever the fuck she wants. She stands, and I rush to do the same, offering her my arm as we leave the room.
“Where are we going?” she asks, looking up at me.
“I’m not sure,” I admit. “I just needed some time with you.”
Her gaze softens when she looks up at me, a gentle smile on her lips. “You missing me that much?”
“Like a fucking limb.” Her eyes widen at my confession. She opens her mouth to reply, but nothing comes out.
I walk down a dark hall until I find a room marked supply closet. This will have to do. Testing the knob, the door opens. I hold it open for her, feeling along the wall for the light switch. The lighting is dim, and we’re surrounded by takeout containers and other supplies.
“Are we going to get into trouble for being in here?” she asks, looking around the room.
“No.” I’m not certain we won’t, but I’ll use my spot on the Defenders to get out of it if I have to. I’m not usually one to pull clout, but desperate times call for desperate measures. “Come here.” I open my arms and love that she doesn’t hesitate to walk into them. I wrap them around her and hold her close. “I’ve missed you so much,” I whisper, my voice thick.
“I’ve missed you too. It’s been… harder than I thought it would be.”
“I’m glad it’s not just me.” I hold her a little tighter, because she’s here and I can. My heart is racing, and my palms are sweaty. I wish I understood what was going on, why I feel this need to keep her close to me, and never let her go.
I don’t know how long we stand here, locked in each other’s embrace. But the ringing of my cell phone has her pulling away. Reaching into my pocket, I pull it out to see my dad’s name. “Hello.”
“Cooper,” he says in his “dad” voice.
“Yeah.”
“Bring her back.” That’s all he says before he hangs up.
“I guess we should get back,” Reese says.
“Yeah, that was Dad. They’re ready to go. Thank you, Reese. For coming today. It meant the world to me. I missed you.” I reach out and tuck a loose strand of hair out of her eyes, tucking it behind her ear. Similar to what Hunter did earlier tonight.
She turns and opens the door, and panic sets in. I don’t want her to leave. I can’t lose her again. I can’t go months without seeing her. I just… can’t. I force my feet to follow her. One foot in front of the other, we make our way back to the private dining room. Hunter eyes us, but he’s nothing but smiles as Reese goes to him, and he wraps his arms around her. I have to fist my