Rhett gets up, the look of despondency quickly replaced with one of worry and anger.
“That’s it. She’s moving today. If she has a fucking stalker, she’s a sitting duck out there.”
I stand up, wishing I could go with him. “Just tell her why you’re moving her. Don’t go in there guns blazing like you always do.”
“If it means she’s safe at the end of the day, I’ll do what I have to.”
I know he will, but it eats away at me that I’m not the one protecting her. Fuck, I’m still trying to deal with the fact that we didn’t talk for three years. To me it feels like there has been no break in our communication, but I have to keep reminding myself that it’s different for Mia. I just want to make it up to her and show her how much she means to me. I want to be the one she turns to when she needs something. I know I’m an idiot for thinking it. Rhett will always be a huge part of Mia’s life, but I’m selfish enough to admit that I want to be the most important person in her life.
Walking back to my office, I want to kick myself. It drives me crazy having all these feelings for Mia and not being able to act on them. Every time I’ve tried to talk to Rhett about it, something happens, and we end up talking about everything but the fact that I want his blessing to be with Mia.
I respect and love Rhett, and fucking things up between us will break the whole group. The five of us have always done everything together. We’re so tight because we know we can trust each other. It’s not just about Mia and me. Breaking Rhett’s trust will destroy the one thing all the guys in the group holds dearest. Trust.
Last night we were playing with fire. It was reckless of me to throw caution to the wind, but whenever I’m with her, I can’t think clearly. I want to touch every part of her. I want to taste her. Fuck, I want to bury myself deep inside of her, so deep she’ll be able to get me out.
I love Mia. As a teenager, I knew she was the one for me. As a man, it’s time I make her mine.
That’s why I need to talk to Rhett as soon as possible before I cross that line with Mia.
Chapter 7
Mia
I open the door and have to move back when Rhett storms into the apartment.
“Let’s pack your shit,” he growls.
I stare wide-eyed at his back as he walks deeper into the room. He scowls as he looks at everything.
“What’s yours?”
“I haven’t decided what I want to do yet,” I say, closing the door and walking over to him. I know he’s worried, but I won’t let him boss me around. I’m not a kid anymore and it’s time he realizes it.
“You’re not safe here, Mia. You’re moving in with me until you decide what you want.”
I tried to talk to Josie this morning. It didn’t go so well. Actually, that’s an understatement. She started throwing stuff around, screaming at me that I’m self-absorbed. Of course, I didn’t stand with a mouth full of teeth, but gave her a piece of my mind. I told her she’s changed since she’s moved here. I don’t even know who she is anymore.
I’ve just finished cleaning up the mess she made when Rhett knocked.
“Can you just give me today,” I ask, needing to talk to Josie. Our friendship is heading for a break that it might not recover from. I love Josie, and want to do everything in my power to make things right between us. “I promise I’ll be at your place tomorrow, but it will only be until I can find a place of my own.”
“We’ve had someone digging around, and he thinks you have a stalker, Mia. Those fuckers are dangerous. If something were to happen -” His voice breaks and he pulls me into a hug.
I’ve missed this so much, it still aches just thinking about how close I came to never having it again.
“I’ll be careful. All I’m asking for is one day.”
He shakes his head, not looking happy at all, but then he relents. “One day, Mia. I’ll be here at nine tomorrow morning to get you. Do what you have to do today.”
~
I’ve been on edge the entire day, waiting for Josie to come back so we can talk. I feel like a horrible person, but I’ve been thinking about what Logan said last night. I didn’t ask Josie to move here with me but actually encouraged her to go to LA. I told her that I’d be okay living on my own and that our friendship wouldn’t suffer because of the distance.
After all, it’s not like we used to live together back in North Carolina. Josie insisted that I shouldn’t be alone in a big city like New York. I thought it would be fun to have her for a roommate, but this last week has been really hard.
I understand that she’s worried about me. She doesn’t have a close bond with her family, not the way Rhett and I have. I try to keep that in mind when we talk, but no matter how many times I explain that the guys will never hurt me intentionally, she doesn’t want to hear it.
It’s not like I’m ending our friendship. I’m just moving. Josie’s not hurting for money. She didn’t want to stay in this area, but because I wouldn’t let her pay for me, she relented. With me moving she’ll be able to get her own place anywhere she wants.