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The sound of his voice sends shivers down my spine. There’s something magical about it. It holds special powers over me. I’ve tried to ignore it, because I know it’s something I could get used to. I’m afraid it will become like the very air I breathe, something I can’t live without.

“When I said she was in a good place this morning, it doesn’t mean she’s there yet. Keep your guard up. If she runs, she’ll get lost out there.”

“I won’t let that happen.”

“Good. Keep in touch with JD, and text me the new number on that phone you bought her.”

The door squeaks open. No! They can’t really leave me here. I fight every cell in my body not to fly down the stairs behind him.

“Oh, one last thing. She’s feeling a bit insecure. We didn’t bring all her foo foo makeup and shit. Be patient, wait her out. Eventually she’ll come down.”

They both chuckle.

Well, fuck them. I need my foo foo shit. I’ll piss in the damn trash can if I have to.

I slowly slide back into the room as the rumble of Dirk’s truck fades down the driveway. The cabin falls into an uncomfortablesilence. I know he’s here, and he knows I’m here, but neither of us speak.

The day ticks quietly along, and I begin to wonder if Ash is still here. Eventually I doze off, until a voice that annoys me like none other filters through the fog of my mind, rousing me.

Please tell me I’m dreaming.

I sit up straight in bed but flop back as soon as he speaks again, confirming it’s not a bad dream. He’s really here. Great. Can this day get any worse?

“Ash! Fuck, brother, I didn’t expect to find you up here.” Brody’s gravelly voice grates over my nerves.

There’s lots of back slapping going on downstairs. I’m happy for Ash, but this doesn’t bode well for me. I’m sure Ash has missed his best friend. I sure didn’t. Brody’s been up my ass for months. The club must have sent him up here.

“Well, I didn’t expect to see you either. Jackson told me you took a trip up to Reno. I was pissed you weren’t there to welcome me home, but now I understand why.”

Brody laughs loudly. “I love you man, but you have to admit she’s much prettier than you.”

The soft sound of a woman’s laugh mixes with his.

This makes me sit up. Brody has a woman with him. This news does make me curious, but not enough to risk a peek. I bite at my nails. If Ash tells him I’m up here hiding, he’ll find me and toss me over his shoulder like a goddamn cave man and force me downstairs.

Or maybe he’ll just throw me over a cliff.

Brody and I are on the same team when it comes to me and Ash. Neither of us think I’m good enough for him.

Their conversation suddenly becomes a jumble of whispers, and I strain my ears to hear what’s being said. I’m sure it’s about me. The door opens and then it’s silent again.

I’m not sure how much time passes before someone comes back inside because I doze off for a second time.

“Lexie,” the woman’s soft voice calls up the stairs.

You’ve got to be kidding me.

“Yeah?” I yell, wondering who she is and why she’s calling for me. Maybe she’s one of the women who hang around the club.

“I’m a friend of Brody’s. Can I come up?”

No.“Sure,” I say, smoothing my hair down with my hands.

A dark-haired woman not much older than me appears. She’s striking. It’s a little intimidating until she smiles, and an overwhelming sense of familiarity washes over me.

“Sorry. This might be awkward, but Ash told me why you are hiding up here.”

I groan out loud. How incredibly embarrassing. Why would he tell her?