The Arrangement

Chapter Forty-One

Lennox

The chilled morning air wraps around me as I watch Henley and Blair through the screen doors. Her back to his chest, his arms around her as he helps her flip the pancakes they're making for our dinner, seeing as we've spent practically the whole day in bed.

We've been here a couple of days now and in all honesty I don't think any of us have even considered heading back home. We've created a peaceful kind of bubble around us, one I'm not ready to pop just yet.

I know the whole reason for us coming out here was to find out what the hell the situation is with that friend of hers and the money, but that's kind of taken the back burner whilst we've been wrapped up in each other.

Blair's laughter rings out, bright and unrestrained, as Henley leans in closer, a playful grin plastered across his face. I can't help but smile at the scene, a snapshot of domestic bliss that feels both ordinary and extraordinary. The way they fit together, the way Henley's hands guide her as they flip the pancakes, is almost mesmerizing. It's moments like these that make me forget the complexities of our lives, if only for a fleeting second.

It's almost distracting enough to drown out Carters voice and the evident frustration coming through the phone.

"You weren't meant to just end up fucking" he snaps, his tone brimming with frustration.

Sighing I lean back against the decks railings, still watching them both through the screen doors. In truth I'm desperate to get him off the phone so I can get back in there and join them.

"I'm not going to force her to open up to us if she's not ready Carter, I explained this before we came up here" I reply keeping my tone even.

If he and Ashton had their way, they'd sit Blair down and refuse to let her move until she spills the truth. But that's not the way I'm going to do this and thankfully I know Henley will agree with me, no matter what.

I can hear him scoff on the other end of the line. "You think she'll just magically decide to tell us everything? We can't wait around forever. She's hiding something, and you know it."

I close my eyes for a moment, collecting my thoughts. "I know but it's clear she's been through a lot, Carter. Pushing her won't help. If anything, it'll drive her further away. We need to let her come to us in her own time."

"No" he snaps aggressively. "I'm not fucking going through this again, or have you forgotten the last time someone kept a secret from us" he sneers and it has my hackles raising straightaway.

Now is not the time to be bringing up what happened to Henley and he knows that, yet I have a feeling he's pushing it to drive his point home.

I take a deep breath, trying to rein in my frustration. Carter's anger is palpable through the phone, but I can't allow myself to get swept up in it. I know the weight of his words, but bringing up the past only complicates an already delicate situation. "Carter, I get it. I really do. But comparing this to what happened with Henley isn't fair. That was a completely different scenario, and we both know it."

There's a brief silence on the other end, and I can almost picture him pacing back and forth, the tension radiating from him like heat waves. "Yeah, maybe. But it doesn't change the fact that secrets can destroy us, and I refuse to stand by while Blair holds onto something that could tear us apart."

I can feel my heart racing, the urgency of his words ringing in my ears. "Look, I'm not saying we should just ignore it. I'm just suggesting a different approach. We're not going to get anywhere by pushing her. If she feels cornered, she might shut down completely. We need to create an environment where she feels safe—where she knows we're here for her, no matter what."