Free Theirs by Christin Lovell Page B

hair. “This is a lot to take in.”
     
    “ Tell me about it.” I stared at where he gripped me.
     
    “ After Mom and Dad passed, you were depressed for a long while. You had no other mood than down. I just don’t want all of this to send you spiraling again.”
     
    I took a deep breath. I gently extracted myself from his grasp. A glimpse around showed all eyes and ears on us still.
     
    “ For cryin’ out loud, mind your own business, people,” Ellie huffed, hands on her hips.
     
    I slid into the seat across from Billy again. “I can appreciate that, but even if I did, it’s not your problem. You wouldn’t be able to change it.”
     
    “ But I could help prevent it; that’s what I’m trying to do.” His eyes darkened. “I don’t want you to go back there.”
     
    What could I say? I didn’t want to go back there either. It wasn’t an easy place to be. The simplest things, like getting out of bed, suddenly became difficult. I was stuck in a Ground Hog Day movie, locked in a loop, a gloomy cycle that felt impossible to break. Knowing what I should do, could do, didn’t actually motivate me. Rather, it was another weapon, another thing to beat myself up over. All you have to do is this… Why aren’t you getting off your ass and doing it?
     
    “ I can’t say I have agreed with your decisions, Kate, but I’ve always tried my best to support you.” He sat back. “Whatever you decide with all of this,” – he flicked his wrist towards Ellie and Jerry – “I’ll support you. Just promise me you’ll think it through. No more impulses.”
     
    I nodded my head in agreement. “No more impulses.”
     
    He met my gaze. Concern still furrowed his brows. “You need to be honest with them about everything before you all decide.”
     
    “ Thanks, Billy.”
     
    “ Hold off on the thanks until we successfully deal with Donovan.” His phone went off, the ring echoing around us. He pulled it out of his pocket. “Speaking of,” he mumbled, distractedly. “Talk to me, Phil,” he answered. He stood and pulled his wallet out, listening to the man on the other line with intent. He tossed a few big bills on the table and made a beeline for the door, in typical Billy fashion. I rarely got to say good-bye to him at the end of our meet-ups. I was surprised his business calls hadn’t interrupted before now. He probably had Jared fielding them for him, but no doubt, he’d do a conference call with his top employee before the end of the night.
     
    “ What do you say we head home and cuddle naked by the fire?” Ellie took me in as she and Jerry approached.
     
    “ What about Donovan?”
     
    “ We’re in a holding pattern. We can’t act until he materializes,” Jerry explained.
     
    “ Right.” I worried my bottom lip again. “I think we should talk before the whole naked bit.”
     
    Ellie seemed to sober. “That serious, huh?”
     
    I stood, bringing my bag with me. I clung to it like a lifeline. I didn’t know where I wanted this to go. I wanted to go for it, but I didn’t know if I wanted to long term or not. I could make no promises except one: to be open and honest every step forward.
     
    I shook my head. “Yeah, it’s serious.”
     
    Together, they moved in beside me.
     
    “ Let’s go then.” Jerry trailed a hand down my back, resting it against my lower back, guiding me out of the restaurant.
     
    Ellie had a firm arm around my waist. They each threw open a door to the restaurant, allowing us to remain linked…for now. I didn’t know if they would feel the same later.
     
    —
     

Chapter Seventeen
     
    KATE
     
    Turned out, Billy went to college with the security company’s owner. He lived in the next town over and had offered Billy the chance to catch up, along with a guest room to sleep, meaning we could actually do the naked time if we wanted later. Billy had been hesitant to let me go back with Ellie and Jerry, but I reminded him that it was my choice.
     
    It was the