Page 84 of Adored

Truth be told, Poe was falling apart, and this day was getting worse with each passing moment, despite finding out that Gamble had followed him there.

Poe wasn’t sure how much more he could take. All he wanted was for this part of his life to be done. Basically, his parents buried so he could move on.

Now, as they were pulling into the estate, the media was at the gate, and they were in the way.

Oh, and Gamble was in no mood.

He.

Was.

Cranky.

It had been rough watching someone he loved fall apart over and over again, and it reminded him of his own past and pain.

The paparazzi in his way?

That wasANNOYING.

As they got in between him and the gate, he gunned the Bentley, daring them to step in front of him.

Luckily for them, they didn’t because he probably would have mowed them down, gotten Poe to the airport, and disappeared with his man to escape.

Yeah, that’s how testy he was.

As he parked the vehicle in the garage, and out of the photographer’s line of sight, Gamble noticed that Poe was silent.

“Want to take a walk to clear your head?” he asked the man, trying to distract him.

Poe simply nodded.

Oh, boy.

Gamble didn’t like how despondent he was, and he wasn’t sure how to pull him from it. Only, he knew he had no choice but to do just that.

As they walked across the courtyard, hand-in-hand, Poe said nothing.

Maybe a direct approach was the best way.

“How do I make it better?” Gamble asked. “I feel like I’m failing, and I’m at a disadvantage here. I’m not Doctor Poe Seville.”

Poe was surprised that the man didn’t realize he was already helping in ways he couldn’t even articulate.

“Just keep being here for me. Hold me when I’m scared, and don’t leave me. I’ll be okay. I don’t feel hopeless anymore. I’m just mourning.”

Gamble could do that. He put his arm over his shoulder and tucked him into his side.

“I won’t ever leave you, Poe. We’re starting a life together,” he said.

“Then, that’s all I need for now,” Poe admitted.

There was no doubt that Gamble was struggling because he was trying to help fix him, but the only thing that would do that was time.

This had to run its course.

As they reached the stables, the two grooms were cleaning up.

“Hey, Sir. The horse, the evil one, is testy right now. He’s tried to get out a few times,” he said.