Page 108 of Control Freak

“There’s nothing to forgive,” I said. “Just please, know that if you don’t respect your limits, you won’t only be hurting yourself. You’ll be hurting me too.”

“I’d never do that, not on purpose,” he said. “I’m sorry.”

“I know. Me too.” I sighed. “Sorry you heard Jimmie saying all that shit. Sorry that I considered it for a minute. Not the getting back together, but the paying off Brick and Curtis. I just want them out of my life, you know? I don’t want Jimmie to get hurt, even if he’s an asshole.”

“You’re too good for either of us.”

I rolled my eyes. “All right, that’s enough of that. So you’re human and you get jealous and maybe feel a little insecure. We all do. You’re still ten times better than my ex.”

“Thank god for that,” he murmured. Then hesitated. “Can I, um, hold your hand?”

Holden asking me was a change of the script. I considered. “Are you sure you’re ready?”

“I want to be.”

“Well, when you really are, then you can hold my hand again.”

He sighed. “Fair enough.”

There were voices and laughter in the kitchen. Then Bailey called out, “Dinnertime! Get your asses to the table!”

I looked at Holden. It had only been about fifteen minutes since he was flat on his back on the floor. “Are you up to that?”

“Yeah, I just want to get back to normal and forget this ever happened.”

I wasn’t so sure it was wise to forget. Tonight had been a wake-up call of sorts. We needed to tread carefully and respect Holden’s limits.

But he’d been chastised enough already.

“Okay, let’s go eat.”

Holden led the way down the hall and took his usual spot at the dinner table. I sat down beside him.

Bailey brought over a platter of sizzling chicken and shrimp with sauteed bell peppers and onion. Lettuce, pico de gallo, and shredded cheese were in small bowls set out around the table.

“Ooh, fajitas,” Gray said as he pulled out his chair to sit. “Love those.”

Axel was already in his usual spot by the window, and Dalton was at the end of the table. Emory came in a minute later, hair looking damp and freshly washed.

“Looks great,” he said brightly. “Nice job, Bailey.”

Bailey glanced at Holden, as if waiting for him to comment. I was worried he might be too out of it to notice, but Holden was always in big brother mode.

He nodded. “Much better than a garbage plate.”

“Garbage plates are awesome,” Axel protested.

“That’s what I said!” Bailey exclaimed, but with a big grin.

Holden shook his head, lips twitching. “We have to class it up, guys. Not everyone was raised on a slop of hamburger and beans and rice.”

“Take that back,” Axel said. “My man is as trashy as me.” He turned to Dalton. “Right?”

“You know it, darlin’. I wouldn’t be with you if I didn’t like the gutter.”

Axel punched his arm as everyone laughed. “Not what I meant, you dick.”

“I never said the gutter wasbad.”