Free CALLEN (Second Chance Novels Book 3) by Kemmie Michaels

the interruption. My mind has enough to chew on without adding another social interaction to the pile.  
    I open my door to see a set of sad eyes resting above grayish shadows on Shelby's face.  
    "What happened?" I ask her as I let her inside, forgetting my own problems for a moment.  
    "We got a notice at work today. They're downsizing. Staff reductions will be announced next week."
    "Shel," I say sympathetically. "Do you know how bad it is?"
    "I have no seniority in my department."
    My shoulders slump. "Come here," I whisper.
    Shelby walks slowly into my arms and lets me wrap her up. She rests against my chest for a long time. I rub her back gently, hoping I can comfort her. My own problems thankfully drift aside as I focus on my friend. She clings to me and grips my back.
    I worry about her, especially after this. I'm not sure how much more loss she can take.  
    She steps away eventually and looks around my house awkwardly. I smile gently and take her hand. My intention is to walk her to my couch so we can talk, but she drags me to the kitchen and reaches for a bottle of Patrón.  
    "Not a great idea, Shel," I tell her. I've seen her reach for alcohol too often recently. "Let's just sit."
    Her face shows frustration, but she lets me walk her to the living room anyway. I sit with my arms around her and pull her back to rest against me. Her frame relaxes somewhat as her fingers lace themselves into mine. She snuggles in deeper and turns to bury her face into my neck. A tiny press of her lips puts me on guard.
    As much as I want to comfort her, I don't think sleeping with her would be a good idea.  
    "Another bad idea," I say gently.
    "I need you," she whispers. She looks up into my eyes, causing my heart to break. I don't want to be one more disappointment, but Shelby deserves the right kind of care. I know the emptiness of attempting to push away pain with random sex, and I also know how our friendship would be affected if I offered her that form of comfort.
    "And I'm here…but not like that."
    Her eyes close and a sad breath falls from her lips as her head drops to my chest. She nods, but her sadness remains. I may not be willing to push away her pain how she wants, but I can offer her comfort as friend.  
    "Relax," I tell her. "I'll help you escape."
    I sit behind her and cover her eyes with my hand. I gather her wrists in my other. Whether she realizes it or not, her entire body releases tension, and her breath eases gently from her chest. Covering her eyes takes her away from reality, and being held captive passes her burdens to other hands. I smile to myself for understanding her so well. The rest of my world may be up-ended, but I'm able to read Shelby and become what she needs. Finally, a familiar experience offers me a form of confidence. The expert reader-of-people I am has the ability to bolster me rather than frustrate me.
    I keep her wrists in my hands and hold her strongly. I simply wait for her to soak in my strength. She doesn't need to hold herself together when someone stands strong for her. I remain fascinated by her complexity.
    I take her arms and pull them backward around my neck. She whispers in confusion again. "I thought you didn't want..."
    "I only want to help you," I whisper. "Let me be your strength for a while."
    I release her wrists and move my hands around her belly again. Her arms begin to drop, so I offer her the direction she needs.  
    "Keep your arms up," I tell her. "Breathe deep."
    I bring my hands to her ribs, and let them float on her skin with the rise and fall of her chest.  
    "Everything is falling apart, Cal…What am I going to do?" she asks.  
    "You're going to learn to let go when you need to."
    A breathy sound escapes her lips as she considers my words. "I don't think—"
    I cut her off. " Don't think," I say directly. "Just be. Let me help you. You have to let yourself relax."
    She sighs as she lets me take over. I truly hope she finds someone who will understand