Page 38 of The Catch

"Let's help you with anything else you need," Bear adds in Ames' direction.

"What these gentlemen want to know," I say, "is what else can they pack for you."

"Fuck it," she says. "I don't need things to be neatly packed. Please bring boxes and we'll go from room to room grabbing my things."

"We're at your service," Dom says.

They leave to bring boxes.

"Why did you feel the need to come with an entourage?" Aidan complains. "I'm not a scary bloke. All I want is a chance to explain."

My friends return and we make good work of putting Ames' stuff in boxes. First here in the closet, then in the room. Ames doesn't leave our side, giving easy directions.

She never responded to Aidan, but he follows us anyway, asking for privacy to talk to Ames.

Twenty minutes later, all but two boxes are waiting for us in the truck. Five football players and one angry woman make one hell of a team.

"Ames." Aidan tries one more time. "Please. After four years I think I deserve to be heard."

"Then have your say," she responds.

The guys and I close lines around her.

Aidan tsks. "Not in front of them."

"Then we'll see if and when I feel like hearing you speak."

"Anything else you need?" I ask, ready to escort Ames back to our condo.

"I think I'm good," she says.

Without saying a thing, Logan breaks the rounded wall we keep around Ames. He moves slowly, unworriedly, toward the remotes that lay on the coffee table in front of the TV. In full view of everyone in the room, he proceeds to remove all the batteries.

"Just in case you need these too, Ames." With full aplomb, Logan puts the batteries in his pocket, picks up one of the remaining boxes, and leaves without saying goodbye.

"Hey!" Aidan frowns his way.

Bear chuckles, picks up the other box, and leaves. He doesn't say goodbye either.

"At least tell me where you're staying," Aidan says. "Jo didn't reply to my text and I don't want to worry…"

I can't help it and roll my eyes. The way he phrased that was about him feeling well, not taking care of Ames.

"Do you have a problem, mate?" He asks me.

"A few problems, actually," I reply. "Should I list them?"

"Don't bother," Ames says and puts a hand on my arm.

Aidan sees the gesture and his eyes narrow further.

I smile. "She moved in with me, actually."

He pales. "What?"

My grin is full of the thrill I feel, that I can affect him this way. Ames gets a delighted face so I keep going.

"Yeah. It's been wonderful. We're having the time of our lives. I have people at home right now making room for the piano. I love having Ames with me."