“I have curves,” she states.
“That you do,” I agree.
“I have to go to work, Marge needs me. So, we’ll be out of your hair after breakfast,” she gets out and wraps a towel around her.
Shame.
“What shift do you work?” I ask her.
“Noon to close, which is eight.”
“Okay. I’ll take Thorn with me, he can hang out at the gym,” I say.
“I don’t want to bother you with him,” she says.
“It’s no problem. I mean I’m giving him a break today, I know he’s sore, but I still have to stop by the gym. I’ll even feed him,” I chuckle.
She laughs, “Yes, please feed him.”
I watch as she heads inside to change, sitting for a minute, collecting my thoughts before I head inside to start breakfast.
I feel like she’s trying to pull away and that probably has to do with her past. I’m not going to let her.
I fry up some eggs and make some toast. I know it’s not fancy but it’s something.
“Morning,” Thorn takes a seat on one of the stools and I hand him a plate.
“Morning. So, you’re with me today if you want to stay. I have to go in to the gym but I’ll give you a break. I know you’re sore,” I say and I can hear the sigh of relief from Thorn.
I actually laugh as Briar comes into the kitchen and sits next to her brother.
I hand her a cup of coffee and a plate.
“Oh shit, my car is at the gym,” she gasps.
“You can take my other car,” I grab a pair of keys off the wall and hand them to her. She looks at them like she doesn’t know what to do.
“Briar, it will be okay,” I put the keys on the counter next to her.
“But….”
“I’m offering,” I assure her.
“Okay,” she still seems hesitant, “you’re staying?” That was directed at Thorn.
“I am. I promise to check in,” he kisses her cheek and puts his plate in the sink.
“All right. Well, I need to get to work,” she does the same with her plate and then she turns and kisses my cheek before heading out.
I need to show her that I’m not going anywhere, but I feel like I have a fight on my hands.
“How about we watch some old videos of my fights and we can go over some of the holds in them,” I suggest, “then we can stop at the gym.”
“Sure,” Thorn replies.
Hours later, we’re both sweating from working out when my phone rings.
“Holden, what’s up?”