Free Protecting Her Heart (Seals Security Book 3) by Michelle Woods Page A

look on her face and wondered if she was thinking of her mom. If anyone understood what dealing with a person who had an addiction was like, it was Rory.
    Evie took the cups Tina offered her and handed one to Rory. Laney had the bottle opener out and was popping the cork on the wine, her eyes on Tina.
    “Sorry, I don’t suppose there is anything we can do to help, is there?” Laney asked as she set the bottle opener down and poured wine into Tina’s glass.
    “No, Brent is taking care of them but it’s a little rough on him and Monica is going to be upset I’m sure. Craig’s kind of written him off after cleaning up so many of his messes in the past. He cares about his brother but he also realizes that if Cole doesn’t want help, then there isn’t anything he can do about it,” Tina explained, taking a sip of the wine and shaking her head.
    “That’s awful,” Laney said.
    “Not really. There’s only so much fixing a person can do before they realize the love they felt for that person has been soured by their behavior,” Rory said and both Tina and Laney glanced at her. She turned a little red and tried to back pedal. “Umm, sorry, it’s not any of my—” Rory began but Tina interrupted her.
    “Oh hon, I’m sorry. Who was it with an addiction in your family?” she asked, looking sympathetic.
    “My mom,” Rory replied, her eyes watery, and Evie realized it was time to change the subject because Rory was about to start crying. Laney must have had the same thought because she steered the conversation to the task at hand. She suggested that they head back into the living room to wait on the boys to bring up stuff. They all trooped into the living room to find Luke and Craig lugging in the couch while Alex and Tom carried in two boxes each.
    After that the day went by in a whirlwind of unpacking and laughter. Four hours later they were all sitting around the room on various furniture chatting. Brent had shown up with pizza about an hour ago when most of the stuff was already unloaded. Luke and Craig had teased him relentlessly for waiting till the work was almost done to show up. He’d shot them the bird but the ribbing eased some of the tension she could see in his shoulders.
    Evie watched them with awe as they fought over the last of the pizza. It made her realize that this was what it would be like for her if she stayed with Seals Security. She would have friends who helped her when she needed it and it was kind of a nice feeling after what she’d been through. She’d always had Rory but now she would have this motley crew as well. Evie couldn’t help the happy grin that covered her face or the warm feeling that spread through her. Looking at the mess covering the table, she sighed and stood up.
    “I’ll start cleaning up.”
    She looked at Rory, who leaned back on the couch with her eyes closed. Evie shook her head and kicked her lightly to get her attention. Rory opened her eyes and stared at her questioningly. Evie grabbed a few of the cups and plates from the table.
    “What?” Rory asked, making Evie shake her head at her friend’s lack of manners. The least they could do after everything this group had done for them today was clean up this mess so that they didn’t feel obligated to help before they left. Evie knew Rory was clueless when she just stared blankly at her.
    “Help me?”
    “Yeah, in a sec. I just need another minute to chill,” Rory said.
    Evie realized she wasn’t going to help and grunted before she headed into the kitchen to toss the trash, realizing she would have to do it herself because Rory was useless. While she was in the kitchen, she threw away the empty wine bottles and was about to head back into the living room for more when Luke came in carrying a pizza box full of plates. Evie watched him push the box into the trash before turning to her. She felt hemmed in and a little nervous. Mostly because he was here and he looked delicious in his jeans and tight blue