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Charlie moved in front of her and blocked the sunlight.

“What else did you hear?” Lori asked as she looked straight at him, following his eyes as he knelt down on the blanket in front of her.

“I’m not the enemy, baby. We’re worried about you. Should you really be out here all alone?”

“Jesus! I don’t need a Goddamn babysitter.”

“Watch your tongue,” Trevor stated from the side of her.

She exhaled in annoyance, closed her eyes, and started taking slow, easy breaths. He was freaking out with concern. Could she be so upset about her life and so stressed that she had a panic attack? She could have been hospitalized.

“Baby, we just wanted to make sure you’re all right,” Dante stated.

“I’m fine, Dante, even Andrew said so. It’s happe

ned before, I’ll get control of it,” she told him with great confidence as she leaned back, letting her arms stretch to support her upper body as she closed her eyes and absorbed the sun.

“Now could the three of you please let me be alone? I just want to be alone.”

Charlie knew she was trying to act tough but he knew better. She needed them and he would make her see that no matter what.

“I thought we were getting together today?”

* * * *

Lori held her eyes shut, afraid to speak, to answer him because her throat was full. She wanted to cry. She needed to just cry and the thought of doing so right at this very moment didn’t frighten her. It actually made her giggle a little. She had read about this feeling before, had even heard other women speak of it. “I need a good cry” is what they would say.

She knew the three men watched her and waited patiently. They weren’t patient men. Not by a long shot.

Lori opened her eyes then turned onto her side, lying on the blanket and propped up on her elbow.

“I’m sorry. I thought I needed to be alone but that’s not true. It’s the complete opposite of what I need.”

Charlie fell into the same position beside her, propped up on his elbow, staring at one another, face-to-face.

“Tell me what I can do, baby. Just tell me how I can make you feel better.” He was so sincere, so loving and empathetic. Dante moved in behind her and Trevor sat down above her head. They brought her instant peace and comfort. This was exactly why she thought of them this morning after the panic attack. She could easily learn to lean on them and need them. She already was.

Still she fought against speaking, her voice felt shaky.

Stay silent. Just stay silent.

Lori reached over and touched the gray cotton T-shirt that lay loose against Charlie’s chest. She wrapped the material around her fingers and moved her body closer against his. Instinctively he embraced her. Behind her she felt Dante move his hand over her waist, and above her Trevor touched her hair.

There was no stopping the tears as she held on tightly, sobbing, as all the events that had occurred over the past five years finally weighed their toll on her.

* * * *

Dante felt his heart ache. It actually ached from hearing his woman sob. She was strong, she was beautiful, but she had done more than her share and kept everything inside. He knew from experience that bad memories alone can do some serious damage. Charlie and Trevor knew that as well.

Dante moved her hair from her wet cheeks as she remained holding Charlie. Trevor caressed her hair and now Dante kissed her bare shoulder. The tank top she wore had very thin straps, and he kissed along the strap then to her neck. Eventually, Lori rolled to her back as she wiped her eyes.

* * * *

Lori didn’t feel embarrassed. She felt relieved. All three of them remained with her as she cried. They touched her, comforted her and whispered to her. She glanced at Charlie who kept a hand over her belly on her right side. Then she looked at Dante, who kept a hand on her belly toward the left side and then she tilted her head back toward Trevor who continued to caress her hair. She chuckled at the sight.

“What’s so funny?” Trevor asked. She smiled.

“Three extra-large, sexy, good-looking men, squished around a small blanket. You all look very uncomfortable.”