The Bodyguard (Red's Tavern 7)

“And I desperately want to see that.”

“I feel like I just stepped from heaven straight into hell,” I said. “Trust me, you do not want to see those.”

“But I really, really do,” Theo said.

I ran a hand through my hair, letting out a long sigh. As Mom went back into the house, I went over to Theo, speaking quietly.

“We can leave any time, you know,” I said. “You probably want to get back, and I know my mom can be a handful—”

“What?” he said. “I was being serious when I said this is the most fun I’ve had in a long time, you know. If you really want to get back, we can, but I’d love to stay and have some more beers. We don’t have to watch your old home videos if you’re too embarrassed, but I’m loving it here, Roman.”

I pulled in a breath. I found it hard to believe, but it seemed like Theo was being completely genuine.

In fact, there was a hint of longing in his eyes.

Like he really didn’t want to leave. Or, maybe, like he didn’t want to go home and be alone.

And the moment I saw that, everything felt different. I’d only known Theo for a short time, but already, I felt like I’d do anything that could make him happier. Certainly anything that could make him feel safer, and less alone.

“Okay,” I said. “Then we’ll stay. But if you laugh at my childhood skit about a magical bridge, I might have to retaliate.”

“Oh yeah?” Theo said, raising his eyebrows. “I’ll look forward to it.”

10

Theo

A couple of hours after dinner, the three of us were sitting on the plush sofa in Roman’s mom’s living room. My cheeks hurt from laughing, and I was more than a little tipsy from the beers I’d been having all night.

“It’s settled,” I said, throwing my hands up in the air. “Roman Bryant was the cutest kid on planet Earth.”

“I don’t pick favorites, but I definitely think my boys were among the cutest,” Donna said.

“I think I will go ahead and die of embarrassment now, but I’m glad you two are having fun,” Roman said, sitting back on the couch and shaking his head. I could see the hint of a smile on his face, though, and I knew he found this at least a tiny bit hilarious, like I did.

“He even played a bodyguard in one of these,” Donna said. “Isn’t that incredible?”

“I wasn’t lying when I said it has been a dream job of mine,” Roman said.

“You’re so fucking cute,” I told him.

As Roman’s mom put on another home video, I curled up on my little corner of the couch. I’d been given a throw blanket to put over me, and I was cozy as hell.

Everything about this little house was like a storybook fantasy for me. Growing up, my parents had always lived in big, nice modern houses that sometimes felt more like museums than homes. I loved modern architecture, but even in my own house back in LA, I could never make myself feel truly at home.

But here, I felt like I’d been wrapped in a big, warm hug in the form of a house. It was small, yes. And it was definitely a bit cluttered. But as the rain started rolling in outside, there was nowhere else I’d rather be. Picture frames and shelves covered every inch of surface on the walls of the living room—photos of Roman, Brody and their mom from every stage of life. The couch was comfortable as hell and sat tucked between two side tables with old lamps that looked like they could have come from an antique shop, but had probably just been inherited. The rug beneath the coffee table was worn in, but soft.

“I actually remember this one,” Roman said as we watched a short skit where he played a knight in shining armor, protecting his younger brother from some sort of imaginary invasion.

“It’s the last one we’ve got,” his mom said.

At the end of the skit, Roman held up his younger brother like Simba in the beginning of the Lion King, and I felt like my heart might explode.

“You know, maybe you’re a better actor than I am,” I said.

“Never thought an Academy Award winner would tell me that,” Roman said.

His mom laughed.

Just as the skit ended, a crack of thunder sounded out, so loud and close that it rattled the house just a little.

“Whoa,” I said.

“That was a big one.”

Roman got up and crossed over to the window, pushing aside one of the curtains. “Holy hell.”

I went and looked out beside him, and all I could see was a sheet of rain.

“That rain is going sideways,” I said. “Are the chickens okay outside?”

“They’ve got plenty of shelter from the weather in the covered part of the coop,” Donna said. “They’ll be just fine and huddled up. Daisy might not want to lay again for a few days, though, the greedy girl.”