Page 88 of Control Freak

“You’ve worked on trusting Shiloh. Now, it’s time to start trusting yourself. You’ve told me several times what you think Shiloh deserves, what you want to give him. It’s time to start thinking in terms of what Holden deserves. What you should givehim.”

I smiled wryly. “You know all my tricks.”

“I do, indeed. Now, I really must run. Take care, and if you want to date Shiloh, you know what to do!”

I closed out the video program with her words replaying through my mind. Maybe itwastime to show Shiloh how much he meant to me. That he was so much more than a means to an end. I’d hidden behind myhealing journeyfor why I wanted him to stay, for why we continued to be intimate.

But I wanted more than that. I wanted a future with him—as long as he wanted all the messy baggage that came along with it.

There was only one way to find out. I’d have to ask him on a date.

But where would I even take him? I didn’t know the first thing about dating.

I nudged Banshee to the floor and stood, staggering the first few steps as my numb legs tingled back to life. The dog was heavier than she looked.

When I got to the door, I pulled it open. Axel had come over and was shooting the shit with Gray. Sugar and Loki ran up to greet Banshee, all of them taking turns touching noses and sniffing butts. Taz must be at the junkyard, though, because Gray wasn’t looking jumpy.

“Hey, Gray, can you come into my office for a sec?” I called.

Gray wiped his hands on a greasy rag. “Sure, what’s up? You okay?”

My brothers always walked on eggshells around me after a therapy session. But for once, I didn’t feel like I’d just wallowed in the hot garbage of my trauma.

I was a man with a mission.

“I need some dating advice.”

Axel grinned and rubbed his hands together. “Hell yeah, I’ve been waiting for this day.”

Bailey scowled. “What about me?”

“You’ll have to wait your turn,” I told him.

“That’s not what I—” He broke off as Gray and Axel laughed, turning red with embarrassment and darting a not-so-subtle look toward Flynn, who, for his part, did his best to look as if he hadn’t overheard every word. “Fuck you, guys. I’ve dated.”

“Pretend girlfriends don’t count,” Axel tossed out as he followed Gray to my office.

“Not you either,” I told him.

“What?” His jaw dropped. “But I’ve got tons of experience.”

“In fucking, sure. But this is about dating.”

“I’m dating Dalton,” he exclaimed, offended now.

“More like he’s dating you,” Gray pointed out.

“Maybe I should call Dalton for advice,” I mused. “If he managed to tame Axel, he must have skills.”

Gray nodded seriously. “That would be fair to assume.”

“You think you’re so fucking funny,” Axel said with an eye roll as Bailey snickered.

“I’m just kidding,” I said with a laugh. “Get in here, all of you. I can use all the help I can get.”

My brothers joined me in the office, and I closed the door. Flynn was a nice guy, but I didn’t want to advertise just how inexperienced I really was.

“Okay, let’s get down to business,” Gray said. “How can we help?”