Page 125 of One Little Kiss

“Why? Why are there still secrets, Ash? What the hell—”

An alarm sounds, and Ash turns to a wall of screens just in time to see GG walking up the steps. “Jesus,” he mutters while pressing a button on his desk that unlocks his front door. Within seconds, we hear her calling out.

“Colton? Ya here? Get yer ass out here and talk to me.”

“I’m serious, Ash. For our sake, end this.”

He nods and follows me out of his office.

“There ya are. Now listen. Not sure what happened, but Wendy just burst through that front gate like her heart was shattered.”

My glare turns on Ashton, but he doesn’t flinch.

“What do you mean?” he asks GG instead.

“Well, I was walking up the path and saw her running around like a ticked off chicken, shoving bags into the back of her car like she’d robbed a bank.”

Anxiety unfurls in my gut. “Where was she going?”

GG shrugs. “She took off before I could get to her.”

Spinning in place, I take off for the door, but she stops me. “Colton.”

I snap my gaze to her. This crazy, tarot card reading witch has some pearl of wisdom to impart on me. Knowing she’s the driving force in all my brothers’ happiness, I give her my full attention.

“Well, you’re not a Lost Boy anymore, are ya, Pan?”

I glance at my watch, and she cackles in that way she has.

“No, GG. I’m not. I’ve never felt more found in all my life. I fit with Winnie and Wes. It’s like I’ve been waiting for them for my entire life.”

In my periphery, Ashton watches on. A touch of sadness crosses his scarred face.

“I thought so. But you need to remember that Wendy is still finding her way. She’s spent her life lookin’ after others. Takin’ care of herself doesn’t come naturally to her.”

“I know that, GG. I’m trying to take care of her, but now I’m worried I’ve screwed up somehow.”

“Oh, Pan. I think you’re the only one of my boys to do it all right. I have a feelin’ Wendy’s gonna need a little push and a big reminder.”

“A reminder? Of what?”

“That you’re not going anywhere, Pan. She learned a long time ago if she didn’t trust anyone, she wouldn’t get hurt. She stopped letting people in and worked extra hard to do it all herself.”

“She can’t get hurt if she’s only depending on herself,” I mutter.

“Whatever’s crawled up her ass today will work itself out.”

“If I remind her I’m not going anywhere.”

“You got it, Pan. Now go on. I’m not sayin’ it’s gonna be easy, but my money’s on you.”

“Thanks, GG.” I give her a quick hug but can’t bring myself to glance Ashton’s way. I pause at the door when I hear GG turn on him, though.

“Now, it’s your turn, Hero.”

“M-Me?” he sputters.

“Yeah, you. Don’t ya think it’s time to come out of the dark? Your family doesn’t need you the same way they did before. They just needyou. All of you. Even the parts that are buried and hurtin’.”