That Second Chance (Getting Lucky #1)(59)

And the realization that I’d do anything to take away her pain was something I wasn’t ready for. I wanted to scoop her up into my arms and make her smile, hear her laugh, wash away all the sadness from her life. That scared the shit out of me; the last time I felt that was with Claire.

And then she brought up Claire. Seeing the sadness in her eyes over my loss—fuck, it was too much.

Ever since she’s moved here, Ren has wiggled her way into my life one conversation at a time, to the point that I get so goddamn excited whenever she’s around, my heart taking flight, my hands itching to touch her, to press her body up against mine, to finally find out what it’s like to feel her lips glide across mine.

It’s why I stopped by her house the other night before my shift at the firehouse. I had to see her, to make sure she was okay. I couldn’t stand the thought of having left her the way I did.

It took all my willpower to walk away that night, to turn around and make my way to the firehouse, because when she opened her door, all I wanted to do was back her up into the wall of her entryway and bury my head in the crook of her neck, to work out my feelings for her and just . . . fuck, just be with her.

The urge is strong, the consequences even stronger.

I’m caught between a rock and a hard place.

“There they are,” Reid calls out, a huge smile on his face. “It’s about time.”

Beck pulls up in his black minivan, the triplets luckily with Rylee’s parents this weekend—how they watch that many kids at the same time, I have no idea—and he parks next to my truck.

“I’ll go help them unload,” Brig offers as Rylee and Beck open their doors. A side door opens as well.

Confused, I turn toward Reid, who’s still wearing that shit-eating grin. “Did they bring someone with them?”

“Hey, Ren, glad you could make it,” Brig calls out loudly.

Ren?

I make eye contact with Reid. “Surprise,” he says unabashedly.

My teeth grind together, my hands clenching at my sides. “What the fuck, Reid. Why is she here?”

“I invited her.”

Speaking through my teeth, I say, “I only brought three two-person tents. Where the hell is she supposed to sleep?”

The cocky motherfucker pats me on the back. “Well, she has her choice between three Knightly brothers. May the best man win.” With a wink, he takes off toward the minivan to help unpack the food.

I turn around, trying to gain my composure. I wasn’t expecting her to be here; I’m not fucking prepared for her to be here. And I’m certainly not going to let either of my brothers sleep with her, that’s for damn sure.

“Hey, Griffin,” her soft voice says from behind me. I turn around to find her in jean shorts, a tank top with a flannel shirt wrapped around her waist, and hiking boots. She looks all kinds of sexy and tempting.

Yeah, no one will be sleeping in her tent but me.

“Hey, Ren,” I say awkwardly with a wave. Be normal, Christ.

She scans the campground and plays with the sleeves of the flannel shirt tied around her small waist. “Can I be honest? When I said yes to this, I kind of forgot that you headed up the entire club. So I didn’t even think you’d be here. If I’d thought about it, I never would have come and invaded your space.”

What the hell is she talking about? Invading my space?

I might be dense, but I thought things were okay between us after I left her house. I thought the tension I was feeling toward her was only one sided and nothing for her to worry about.

I guess I was wrong.

“Ren, you’re not invading my space.” Not until we’re going to have to share a tent, but I don’t say that just yet.

“I wanted to give you some time away from always running into me.” She glances around again. “And it seems like I did a poor job. I can ask Beck to drive me into town, and I can take an Uber back to Port Snow, give you some time with your friends.”

Does she really think I’m that upset? That I don’t want to see her? Can’t she see it in my eyes—the way I light up whenever she’s around?

Obviously not, and that pains me.

Obviously, I’m a shit communicator.

Unable to stop myself, I reach out and take her hand in mine, rubbing my thumb over the backs of her knuckles. She takes in a sharp breath of air, her eyes fixed on our connection, before she looks up at me, searching for answers.

“I’m glad you’re here, Ren.”

Her expression softens, her fingers linking with mine. “You are?”

I nod. “I am.” I glance over her shoulder to find my brothers, Rylee, and Beck all staring at us, giant smiles across their faces. All meddlers, every single one of them.

But even though in the pit of my stomach I couldn’t be more terrified of what I’m feeling for her, I’m happy for one of the first times in two years.

“Come here.” I pull her into my chest and wrap my arms around her shoulders. She’s still for a second before she gives in and rests her head on my chest, her arms coming up around my waist. I squeeze her tight. “I’m sorry for making it weird. I’m really glad you’re here.”

“I’m happy I’m here too.” She looks up at me. “I only brought marshmallows. Brig said to bring only marshmallows and clothes. I don’t have any camping gear.”