Bleeding Love(23)

“No. I did that when I could tell she needed a distraction to keep her mind from going into self-preservation mode. I did that because when I got that call, I thought that I was going to go out of my mind with worry. I pulled that shit because I’ll be fucking God dammed if I let a day go past that I’m not there to make sure shit like that doesn’t happen again.”

I take a deep breath and remind myself that my anger shouldn’t be directed toward Dani.

“Oh. Well. Okay. Now what?”

“Now I figure out how many hoops I have to jump through before she can see past her fear. I understand, she lost her husband and I’m not looking to take his place, but I’m fighting to win here, Dani. I want her.”

She doesn’t say anything, but I know Dani. She’s working out what she wants to say. I stand from the table and grab another water, waiting her out.

“Okay. I think I get it. I mean, I know all about finding that one person and having to fight for it, but I guess I’m worried. Not just for you getting hurt, because as much as I hate to say it, there is a lot of room for you to get hurt here. But, I’m also worried for her and I’m worried for Molly. What happens if Molly gets attached to you, Lee? She’s already lost her father and I know Megan hasn’t dated since Jack.”

“I know. Fuck, Dani, I know. The last thing I want to do is hurt either one of them.”

“Then it’s time to plan. Let me call Cohen and let him know I’m going to be awhile.” She stands up and walks to her purse. I laugh when she gets on the phone and starts to tell Cohen why his wife isn’t going to be home until after dinner. I have a feeling the next time I hit the gym with Cohen he’s going to try to kick my ass for this unintentional cock block.

“Dani, you should go home.” I tell her when she hangs up with a smirk.

“Nope. Trust me, he got what he wanted out of that.”

I laugh and try not think about how Cohen is going to win here.

“So . . . what’s the first plan?” she all but screams when she sits back down, rubbing her hands together with a weird grin on her face.

“You’re way too excited about this.”

“It’s not every day your best friend—the all but confirmed bachelor—falls in love.”

“Do what?” I question.

“Huh? Where are you confused?”

“The love part.”

“Such a guy,” she gripes. “What the hell do you think is happening here? Awe, I’m so proud. My big boy is growing up! Wait until your mom hears about this.”

That gets my attention real quick. “You will not tell my mom anything about Megan and me until there is a Megan and me, got it?”

“Whatever, Lee. Let’s go. Come on. Time to plan.”

“I’m not in love, Dani.” Fuck. It is love.

She gets that stupidly weird grin back on her face and nods her head, “All right, Lee. Not in love, got it. So, let’s talk game plan.”

Choosing it’s better to ignore her than continue fighting her on something she’s made her mind up about, I move on, but now that she’s mentioned it, I know deep down that the feelings I have for Megan are teetering on the edge of love. One thing is for sure; I wouldn’t admit it to Dani first. When I say those words out loud, Megan will be the first one to hear them. Love? It’s close, so fucking close.

With a big smile on my face, I spend the next thirty minutes explaining everything I know about Megan, how she’s been living half a life, and how she is consumed with fear to let more people in. In the end, I think Dani is more confused than she was when we started.

“Dani, she’s afraid to feel. Don’t you get it? She lost her husband and you and I both know that’s the biggest issue here. She was alone long before Cohen and Chance dragged her into our group and even then she was alone until she let you in. Tell me, has she let any of the other girls in?” I wait until Dani gives me a sad smile. “I didn’t think so. She might talk to the girls, but you’re the only one that she’s let in.”

“That doesn’t mean much, Lee. She might have let me in, but she still won’t really talk to me. Not about anything major. I’ve tried. I know her and Jack were close, like we are close, they had a friendship long before they got married, but past that she doesn’t talk about him. I know she didn’t have a good childhood—or hell, life before her and Jack got married. No details though. Nothing past the basics.”

Jesus, this is going to be harder than I thought.

“One step at a time. First things first, she has to remember what it feels like to be alive, Dani.”