Shattered Dreams (Boys of Bellerose, #3)(61)

I knew that Dr Candace wouldn’t leave the session like that; she’d extend the time and talk to him more about the impact this has had on his life. But right now, I just wanted to punch something, more than I ever had in my entire freaking life.

Sliding off the bed, I leaned over and gave Rhett a quick kiss. “I need to run to the bathroom,” I said quietly. “Keep talking; I’ll be back. And Rhett? I’m so glad you left. You’re the strongest person I’ve ever met, and I love you.”

His conflicted gaze locked on mine, searching my face for signs that he’d scared me away, I had to guess. So I kissed him again, hard, totally ignoring the doctor on video chat.

“I’ll never leave you, Rhett Silver. Never again. You have my heart and soul.”

With that promise, I slipped out of the bedroom and made it all the way to the sofa before I cracked and started crying.





twenty-seven





BILLIE


It wasn’t that I’d ever thought my relationship with Rhett was shallow. It had happened fast, absolutely, but it was one of those connections where you meet and instantly feel as if you’ve known each other forever. There was none of that weird, awkward-new-relationship stuff, and we’d just fallen into comfortable in an inexplicable way.

So, no, it wasn’t shallow, but I was well aware that we hadn’t known each other for a long period of time, and it had been quite a hectic situation from the first moment, so our discussions of personal shit hadn’t gotten to the level of people who had known each other for years.

Hearing about his family. His past. It opened up a new layer to the bond between us, between our shared trauma. Once he’d finished up with Dr Candace, and I’d pulled myself together enough to return to the main room, I wrapped my arms around him and held him on the bed.

I held him together just like he’d done the same for me so many times.

My knight. My perfect fucking knight.

“You think of me differently now?”

It was the first question he’d asked in ages, and it almost startled me to hear his voice in the super quiet room.

“No!” I said way too loudly for this conversation, but emotions were suddenly bursting from me. “You are one of the most amazing, strong, incredible people I’ve ever known. I thank the universe every damn day that I stumbled into your alley.” His hold tightened on me, his head burying against my shoulder as he held onto me like I was keeping him grounded. “You escaped the sort of situation that very few could, and you went on to become one of the most famous and desirable men in the world. I’m so proud of you for opening up to the doc. That takes a strength I don’t think I would have had in the same circumstances.”

I felt moisture on my skin, and even though he wasn’t making a sound, I felt his cathartic release. Or at least I prayed it was cathartic.

“It’s time for healing now,” I whispered, rocking him back and forth. Eventually, his breathing evened out, and I knew he’d fallen asleep. I stayed with him for a long time, silently crying, staring at the ceiling, and wishing that this world wouldn’t keep hurting the people I loved.

At least this time we were all together. This time we would fight the darkness as a team, not alone. That had to make a damn difference.

Fuck, I already knew it made a difference.

With that in mind, I decided that I had to chat with Grayson. I waited until Rhett was awake so he wouldn’t wake alone. “You going to shower before sound check tonight?” I asked him.

His smile was gentle as he rubbed a hand across his face—a face unmarred by grief, as perfect and handsome as ever. “Yeah, need to pull myself together.” He pushed up and pressed his lips to mine. “Thank you for staying with me. I honestly… Fuck, I honestly feel a little better, and I never expected that.”

Therapy, it had a way about it. Especially with the sort of caring, insightful therapist Dr. Candace was turning out to be. “Whenever you need me,” I replied, “I’m there. I’ll walk through the valley of the shadow of death with you, Knight.”

He quirked an eyebrow. “Knight?”

I nodded. “Yeah, you’re my knight in shining armor. You are the very definition of the title, and it’s how I’ve always thought of you.”

His next kiss was devouring, and I moaned against his mouth, my body pressed into the bed beneath him. “You are fucking perfection, Thorn,” he rasped against my lips, “and my biggest regret today is that I don’t have time to fuck you for the next three hours. Rain check?”

Another groan escaped me as my lower half jerked against him, needing some relief. Calm your tits; we don’t have damn time.

“All the freaking rain checks,” I breathed. “Now, take a damn shower before I tie you to the bed.”

He was tempted. Very tempted, if the look on his face was any indication. But unfortunately, with huge rock concerts, you couldn’t really play hooky, so he dragged himself off to the shower a few minutes later. “I’m going to try and talk to Gray,” I called after him, and his smile was gentle when he turned back to me.

“Let me know if I need to beat his ass, baby girl. Just say the word.”

He’d do it too. Take on the giant to avenge my honor. Knight fit him in so many ways.