My eyes closed. I didn’t want Crosby here right now. He’d seen me at my lowest too many times already. Yes, I’d begun to let my guard down around him, but that didn’t mean I had no pride left. I was so tired of falling apart.

The door swung open before anyone could say another word. Crosby strode in, eyes blazing as they swept the room, zeroing in on me. The intensity of his gaze seared me to the spot. His long legs ate up the space until he was pulling me roughly into his arms. “I’m so sorry.”

Crosby’s embrace was like the rest of him: uninhibited and free. He held me so tightly, I was probably losing blood to my extremities. But I didn’t care. I needed that touch of ferocity right now. It was as if his arms might be able to hold me together. Keep me from breaking when the world was falling down around me.

I burrowed my face in his chest, inhaling deeply. The faint scent of ocean air clung to his tee. But underneath, it was all Crosby. As I let his essence fill me, soothe the day’s pain, the last bits of the walls I’d been clinging to tumbled to the ground.

37

Crosby

Kenna’s body gave a small shudder, and I pulled her tighter against me, resting my chin on her head. Her body melted into mine in that perfect way. I wanted my embrace to be enough to protect her from all the bullshit that had been thrown at her lately. She’d endured more than any person should have to in these past few months. How she was standing and not rocking in a corner somewhere was beyond me. But one thing was for certain: my girl was strong. Tough as nails. She’d get through this, too.

“Not to interrupt this tender moment,” Bell began as Ford wrapped an arm around her. “But what the hell happened?”

I pressed my lips to Kenna’s hair and scowled at Bell. “Give her a minute, would you?”

Kenna wiggled in my arms, trying to get free of my hold. I reluctantly released her, feeling the loss instantly. Kenna motioned towards the living area. “Come on. We might as well sit down.”

I pulled Kenna down next to me on the couch, needing whatever small touch I could get in the moment. The rest of the group settled on chairs, and Caelyn opted for the floor. I gave Kenna’s hand a squeeze, and she returned the gesture. “My boss is an asshole.”

Caelyn choked on a giggle, and Bell rolled her eyes. “Not a newsflash. He’s had it out for you since day one.”

I hadn’t gotten a good vibe off the guy, but the girls’ statements just solidified my feelings. I might be paying Chris Woodward a visit. Or making his business life on Anchor very uncomfortable.