Page 25

Nina

" N o, that's not happening. Send someone else." Ridge's tone sends chills down my spine and I try to ignore their conversation.

"Do you have anyone you can trust with a meeting like this, because I'm open to suggestions," Trevor replies, crossing his arms on the other end of the kitchen island.

Ridge grabs his phone and stands. "Just give me a fucking second."

Both he and Trevor have taken up working in the kitchen so they can still be around me while they get stuff done.

Kai's outside taking a video of the hiking gear.

He likes to keep up on his own business.

I was hanging out with Henry in the basement while he worked on book restorations, but my eyes started to cross after watching for too long.

Everyone's doing their part to keep their businesses running and this family funded, yet here I am sitting on the couch watching the neighborhood.

It's been three weeks since the incident at the gas station and I despise how I've gotten used to seeing a police car parked on the road outside my house at all times.

The security cameras are easier to ignore, at least. Adam coming out every few days to check on us and my parents spending more time here than not is unavoidable though.

I'm cooped up, but I think I'm handling it better. Except today I'm feeling particularly useless.

When was the last time I thought about my goals and aspirations? Having the men in my life challenging me to live has triggered questions about the future. I used to only survive, but now I'm ready for more.

While Ridge and Trevor work out the kinks of who's going to a meeting across the country next week, I pull out my tablet and start thinking.

I'm almost twenty-one. What would a normal person my age want to do for work?

Actually, that's maybe not a fair question because I'm not normal. My anxiety may be manageable when I have Trevor, Kai, Ridge, and Henry around, but it's not feasible to ask them to come with me to my job.

And do I really want to go to a job? My sleeping patterns are so messed up, I doubt I would be able to function on a normal schedule like other people.

There's that word again...normal.

So maybe I should start thinking outside of the box and really think about my wants and desires. No more comparing myself to other people my age.

Who do I want to be?

" Y ou smell like leather," Ridge accuses Henry with his nose scrunched up. "Please shower before dinner."

Henry rolls his eyes and grabs a banana off the counter. "Shut up."

"Yeah," Kai interjects and plasters himself to Henry's back. "He smells fucking edible."

Oh geez . My face heats and I quickly look down so nobody can see just how much they affect me.

Arms wrap around my midsection. "Hi, baby," Trevor rumbles in my ear, making my blush worse.

"Hi," I breathe, melting into his embrace while the other three bicker and tease each other across the kitchen.

"What were you working on today?"

Trevor's question gives me energy. "Oh!" I spin around so I can look at him. "I was brainstorming work ideas for myself."

Trev smiles down at me so easily it makes me want to purr. "What did you come up with?"

"Still undecided." I shrug, happy enough that I still have something valuable to think about and plan for. "We'll see."

He nods and kisses me. "I'm proud of you."

"Thank you." I've gotten better at accepting their compliments. I'm also feeling decent about myself for once. There's so much going on and yet I'm taking the initiative to plan out a life I want.

Trevor kisses me again, and like every cliché, he pulls away too soon. "We need to talk about some upcoming appointments that need to happen. Guys," he calls out, "family meeting."

My dormant anxieties come roaring to the surface, but like usual, I follow Trevor's lead and seat myself at the table. He grumbles out a manly pout because apparently chivalry is not dead. I giggle softly as the others sit around me.

Trevor begins our first family meeting. "I figured while dinner is in the oven, we need to talk about some stuff happening this month. Ridge you first."

Ridge sighs and rubs his eyes beneath his glasses. "I need to leave next week for a three-day meeting. I tried to find someone to take my place, but this is incredibly high profile, so I have to be the face of our company."

Sadness swamps me, but I tamp it down before my displeasure shows on my face. They can't stay in the house with me forever. I need to be okay with him leaving.

"I'm sorry, Nina girl." Ridge looks like he's in pain when he apologizes to me, which makes me even more determined to support him in this.

"It's okay, Ridgie. You'll be safe though, right?" He has to be safe .

He nods, but it doesn't do much to alleviate my worry. "Of course. I'll check in every chance I get, okay?"

"Okay." What else am I supposed to say?

Trevor takes back control of our meeting.

"And next month Ridge, Kai, Henry and I will need to attend an in person signing for our house sale.

The four of us are on the mortgage and there's a whole thing about paperwork.

I worked it so we can do it in town here, but it will be about an hour that the four of us will be gone. "

Cue the vomit crawling up my throat. "O-okay."

Trev frowns, looking concerned. "Adam and your parents will be here with you, baby. You won't be alone or unprotected, I swear."

I nod again because what else am I supposed to do?

When nothing else is said besides quiet complaining about how stupid policies are, I turn to Ridge. "Can I sleep in your room tonight? With you."

He looks surprised, making my heart ache, but he quickly agrees and scoops me onto his lap. "Stay in my room forever? We don't need these guys."

I laugh and swat him. I'm silenced with a heated kiss and I just know that as long as we all have each other, we will thrive.