haircut was a big softy on the inside, but I might’ve underestimated how caring and amazing he is.
He sits by his dad’s bed until my stomach grumbles for the breakfast we never ate, and now it’s coming up on lunchtime. If I wasn’t so hungry, I’d stay here all day and admire their father-son relationship.
I never had that growing up, but I also never thought I’d missed out on anything until I saw these two together.
Communication between them is really slow, but Brix never shows his frustration. He’s patient and kind, and he never stops smiling at his dad.
I don’t completely understand why he doesn’t talk about his dad to any of the other guys on his team, but I do understand being trapped in a position or in a situation you feel you can’t get out of. Asking for help isn’t an option because pride, fear, and insecurity get in the way.
I want to take that all away for Brix. Just like he does for me.
He makes me feel safe. He makes me feel wanted. And not in the way my fans do.
He knows I’m a workaholic mess and doesn’t care.
He gets it.
He gets me.
“We should go,” Brix says to his dad. “I have to make sure my boyfriend gets fed and all.” He stands. “I’ll come back and visit again soon, okay?”
It breaks my heart the man in the bed can’t respond.
We’re still a good two hours away from the ranch, but with some drive-thru burgers we pick up from a place right near the care facility, we’re silent for a good half hour of it.
“Cooper is going to kill me,” I say around a bite of burger.
“Cardio points from the stairs this morning, remember? But speaking of which, we should cancel all upcoming appointments with your trainer. At least until we know how long we’re gonna be at the ranch.”
“I’ll get Jamie on it.” When I finish my food, I take out my phone and text her an update about what’s happening and ask her to give both my personal trainer and vocal coach the week off.
When that’s done, I shift in my seat and watch Brix as he expertly maneuvers the car through traffic while throwing some fries into his mouth.
The same mouth I plan to do sexy things to as soon as we get to the ranch.
This morning I was freaking out, but Brix has a way of making me forget the reality of my stalker situation and trust that he and his team have it covered. Billy Webber still scares the shit out of me, but when I’m with Brix, it’s not a paralyzing fear.
Brix cocks his head in my direction. “What?”
“What, what?”
“You’re looking at me weird.”
“My turned-on look is weird? Good to know. Maybe that’s why I haven’t slept with many guys—they think my seductive face is creepy.”
“You’re turned on right now? Why?”
“Because I have a hot as fuck boyfriend who’s a big teddy bear on the inside.”
Brix scowls, and instead of seeing the hardass I met on day one who I thought was going to possibly kill me, the look is so damn adorable on him now. “Start spreading that shit around and I don’t know how long you’ll have a boyfriend.”
“Aww, you’re so tough.”
“Aww, you’re so condescending and mean.”
I laugh. “Don’t worry, your big bad secret is safe with me. Both of them. Though, I do think you should tell your teammates about your dad. You know they’ll be supportive.”
“It’s not that …”
“Then what is it?”
Brix changes lanes again. “It’s hard to explain, and I know saying it out loud will sound ridiculously … stupid.”
“Stupid how?”
“Dad raised me with the suck it up mentality. Don’t dwell on the shit you can’t change. Deal with it. When I was in the military, people would get transferred, some wouldn’t re-up, some … came home different than who they were when they left. People were always coming and going, and I realized quickly that long-lasting relationships in that environment weren’t for me. Even friendships.”
“I get it.” It’s sad, but I get it. “You’ve always been on your own, and you don’t know how to let people in, but haven’t you worked for Mike Bravo for four years now? Don’t you want to let them in?”
“I want to let you in. But … it’s hard. I’ve been this way my whole life. I don’t know how to let those walls down.”
I huff at the sudden realization. “The funny thing is, all I’ve ever wanted is