Uniting the Souls (Souls of Chicago #6)(41)

“What are you two doing here?” I asked.

“We were worried when you didn’t show up for work. You never miss work. And you didn’t call anyone or pick up when I tried to call. Of course, the two of us are going to show up and make sure you’re alright,” Isaac nearly shouted. He’d pushed his way inside during his rant and I had no choice but to back up and let them in. I’d never seen him look that mad, but I could see how shaken he was and I immediately felt guilty for having scared him.

“I’m sorry. It was selfish and thoughtless not to call and let everyone know I was alright,” I admitted quietly.

My eyes darted over to Hudson who’d been quiet so far and I found him staring at me. His head was tilted to the side and there was a look of deep concern on his face. I looked down at my feet, unable to hold his gaze. He was a perceptive man, he dug into people’s minds for a living and I was afraid he’d be able to see too much if I looked at him right then. I was vulnerable at the moment, the memories and emotions still too fresh, too close to the surface.

“I’m just glad you’re okay. You are okay, aren’t you?” Isaac asked, running his eyes all over me to be sure. He looked worried as his gaze reached my face again and I shifted uncomfortably on my feet. I’m sure he was startled by my appearance and I was thankful that I had at least taken a shower and brushed my teeth, but there was no way of hiding my red-rimmed, puffy eyes.

“Yes, of course. I’m fine,” I answered, making sure not to look at either of them directly, for fear they’d see I was lying. There wasn’t anything right about the way I’d reacted after sleeping with the two of them. The guilt and the loneliness had been going on for too long and it wasn’t healthy. I was aware of that, but I didn’t know how to stop it or make it go away.

“I’m sorry. Would you like to come in and have a seat? Would either of you like anything to eat or drink?” I offered in a rush as a sudden bout of nerves coursed through me.

Hudson stepped towards me and I felt myself tense, but then he reached out and ran his fingers along my cheek and up through my hair. The move was gentle and comforting and I felt myself instinctively leaning into his touch. I looked up into his soft brown eyes and could see the compassion there. I was sure then that he could sense the pain I was in, even though he didn’t know the cause.

I swallowed hard. It would be so easy to just let go and open up to them, but I was worried that once they found out what a mess I was they’d decide I wasn’t worth the trouble. Hudson leaned down and brushed his lips over mine.

“How long has it been since you’ve had anything to eat?” There was no judgement in Hudson’s voice, only concern, and I felt myself frowning as I struggled to recall the last meal I’d had. “That’s what I thought. Where’s your kitchen?” he asked.

I pointed to the doorway behind me and then watched as Hudson brushed past me and walked right into my kitchen as if he’d been to my house a thousand times before. Isaac stepped up to me then and took my hands in his. My eyes darted to our hands and then to his face. His smile was gentle and reassuring and I was suddenly so grateful to have both of them there.

I was embarrassed at the tears that filled my eyes, but I knew that they both had stopped what they were doing and left work in the middle of the day to come check on me. It had been so fucking long since anyone had cared about me. Sure, I had friends at the center who cared, but things with Hudson and Isaac were different and I’d be lying if I didn’t admit it.

Isaac’s eyes softened when he saw the well of emotion on my face and he leaned up on his toes and wrapped his arms around my neck. My hands went to his waist, instinctively, and a shiver raced down my spine as he whispered in my ear.

“It’s okay. We’re here now and whatever is going on, it will be okay. You’re not alone.”

Those last three words had my knees buckling beneath me and I felt Isaac’s arms tighten around me, lending me his strength. My arms wrapped around his waist and I buried my face into his neck as we held each other. There was no way he could possibly know how much I wanted that to be true. I was so tired of being alone.

After a few moments, I pulled back and looked at him. His blue eyes stared back at me with so much adoration that I felt like a fool for having not noticed it before. I bent my head down, kissing him gently and smiled when I heard him sigh.

“Come on, let’s go see what Hudson is up to in your kitchen,” Isaac said, grinning up at me. I smiled back at him because it was impossible not to and he grabbed my hand once again before pulling me towards the kitchen. As we walked in, Hudson shut the door of my refrigerator and turned to us with a frown.

“I couldn’t find anything but frozen meals,” he said.

“That’s what I eat most nights. Not much point in cooking when it’s just me,” I said with a shrug. Hudson’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t respond to that.

“Okay, I’ll order something and have it delivered. What are you hungry for?” he asked.

“My stomach’s not all that happy with me right now,” I said with a grimace. “I was just going to make some toast when you guys showed up.”

“Copious amounts of alcohol will do that to you,” he said, arching an eyebrow at me. My eyes dropped to the floor. I was ashamed at my behavior, but it would be pointless to try and deny it. The look in his eyes told me he already knew.