Page 46 of Xane

Making food to keep my hands busy distracted my mind, and then I made the decision and pulled Grayer into our bedroom.All distractions to keep from thinking about everything that happened.

I take a step in Fawkes’s direction.“I should ask you if everything’s okay.You’re still going, being confronted with everything at the hospital and Neo’s parents.Have you eaten something?”

As if on cue his stomach rumbles.

Slightly patting his upper arm, I tell him, “Come on, I’m going to fix you something to eat.”

He drags his feet but at least he’s following me.The chili I made was hours ago and they ate everything.I pull a few things from the fridge and make him a sandwich.

When I’ve placed the plate in front of him, along with a bottle of water, I ask, “So, you hate phones?”

He takes a bite of his sandwich and slowly bobs his head as he chews.Between bites he starts to explain how he’s always hated the things and how he was captured recently and how they put a bug in there.Which leads to his fierce statement that he’s not a rat, and then he gives me a small background story about his family.

I’ve just made him a second sandwich when Grayer strolls into the kitchen.He glances at Fawkes and then at me as I place the sandwich in front of him.

“Hey,” I murmur.

He gives me a warm smile and steps closer to kiss me.“Hey, darlin’.”

Pulling a chair out, he takes a seat next to Fawkes.“Thanks for visiting Neo’s parents.Do they want us to handle everything?”

“No.”Fawkes swallows his bite.“They will make all the arrangements and will let us know the details.”

Grayer releases a deep sigh.“Figured as much.”

I have no clue what to say, so I walk to the fridge and grab a bottle of water.He smiles when I hand it to him.

“She really enjoys taking care of people,” Fawkes states and shoves the rest of his sandwich in his mouth.

Grayer reaches out and takes my hand to bring it to his mouth and place a kiss on my knuckles.My stomach flips and my heart skips a beat.What this man feels for me is written all over his face.

“She’s one in a lifetime.Can you believe I stepped away from her to be the bigger fucking person?”Grayer glances at me.“It was too damn hard to return to my hometown and face you.My father always kept me up to date about you, and when he died I knew I’d come face-to-face with you.Hell, somewhere deep down I hoped for a second chance, and I knew I wouldn’t leave without getting a second chance once we ran into one another.If I knew then what I know now...”

“That shit never flies.All that matters is you two having a second chance, so don’t fuck it up.Life’s too damn short,” Fawkes states, shoves his chair back, and walks right out of the kitchen.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE