I should let it go. Surely there are people in relationships that don’t know every little thing about each other, that don’t dig and dig and dig until they find out what’s wrong with their partners. It’s probably normal to let little things like this go.

I don’t have it in me, though.

Something’s wrong with her, something she’s obviously actively worried about, and I'm about climbing the wall trying to resist shaking her until the truth pops out.

“Stop staring at me like that,” she says as we walk into the compound.

Today ran long, and she’s been practically vibrating the entire drive back. For once, Broderick had a meeting and couldn’t act the part of chauffeur, and I catch myself wishing he was here to back me up. Sometimes his softer touch gets through to Shiloh where my brash nature doesn’t. I should wait for him to have this conversation, but I’ve never been one for patience.

I follow her up the stairs, biting my tongue, but the second we get into the room, I can’t hold the words back any longer. “What the hell is going on with you?”

“Nothing.”

Hurt lances me, made all the more potent by the sheer shock at her audacity. “You’re not even going to hesitate before you lie to me?”

“It’s nothing,” Shiloh repeats. She yanks her tank top over her head.

I watch her strip in methodical movements that I normally enjoy. “You’re sexy as fuck, love, but not even your perfect tits are going to get you out of this conversation.”

“Mind your own business.” She veers past me and heads for the bathroom.

Maybe I should let it go. Shiloh is so damn even-keeled most of the time, I’ve never seen her like this. But that knowledge drives me even more than the terrifying feeling that she’s slipping through my fingers. The feeling that if I don’t do something and do it now, she’ll be gone.

A good leader knows when to push forward and when to retreat, but my instincts are all fucked up when it comes to Shiloh. I don’t know whether I’m coming or going.

I follow her into the bathroom and lean against the counter as she turns on the shower. “Are you not happy with the current arrangements? Are you tired of me? Of Broderick?” The question clogs my throat, but it has to be asked. No matter how much fun I’m having with these two, I don’t want to stay in this situation if everyone isn’t on the same page. At least when it comes to enjoying themselves.

I don’t expect Shiloh to love me.

I sure as fuck didn’t expect to slide right into the possibility of loving Broderick.