Page 61 of My Three Hometown Hard Hats

I snort out a laugh, running my finger down her cheek. “I was mad at Brooks and Austin one day about a year after we moved here, and I just started driving. I wound up here.

“I was stomping around when I realized what was on the opposite side of the buildings. I’ve been coming up here ever since whenever I need some space or time to think.”

She nods like she understands.

“I love living with Brooks, Austin, and Evelyn, but sometimes I just need room to breathe,” I continue.

“Do they know you come up here?”

“They know I go somewhere, but they don’t know where I go exactly.”

“And you brought me here?”

I cup her cheeks. “Yes, sweetheart. I brought you here.”

Her eyes look glossy when she looks up at me. “Thank you.” She leans up on her toes and kisses me softly.

“It can be your spot, too, if you need it,” I say, my voice quieter now for some reason.

“Ourspot,” she says, leaning her head against my chest.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Hadley

My handsnervously slide up and down my thighs. I knew this day was coming. It’s the whole reason I came back to Aspen Springs.

Well, maybe not thewholereason.

Mom was taken back for surgery about thirty minutes ago. I’ve been a ball of nerves since then.

Grayson tried to comfort me, but he isn’t doing much better. He’s currently pacing back and forth across the far wall in the waiting room, his eyes glued to his feet.

I rest my head against the wall behind me, trying to dam up all the emotions swirling inside of me. Realistically, I know a hip replacement surgery is low risk, but it’s my mom.

She’s the only parent I’ve ever known. I can’t even fathom losing her.

I hear the automatic door slide open and several sets of feet walk in. “What are you guys doing here?” Grayson asks.

My eyes slowly open. My three guys are standing there, staring directly at me, not paying attention to what Grayson said.

The emotions I’ve been trying to contain all morning burst free. Silent tears start cascading down my cheeks.

Austin crouches before me, his arms banding around me. I nestle my head in his chest, my tears soaking into his shirt.

“It’s okay, angel. We’re here. We aren’t going anywhere.”

Brooks and Conrad sit down on either side of me, their hands rubbing my back and brushing my hair out of my face. When the tears stop, I pull back, dragging in a ragged breath.

“Hey there, Trouble,” Brooks says from my right, making me smile. He pulls me into his side, kissing my forehead.

While I lean against his brother’s shoulder, Conrad laces his fingers through mine. The simple gesture tells me he’s there without any words.

My eyes finally look up to see my brother glaring at us from the corner of the room. I know I should care that he knows, but right now I really don’t.

I’m falling for these men. Grayson needs to just deal with it.

Austin senses where I’m looking and glances over his shoulder.