Текст книги "Let Me Love"
Автор книги: Michelle Lynn
сообщить о нарушении
Текущая страница: 15 (всего у книги 18 страниц)
Chapter 20
Kailey
It’s been two weeks since we buried Jen and Caden. Aunt Holly and Uncle Clyde are staying for the summer to help everyone get adjusted. Their help is great, since I was in the middle of summer school. Now that they’re retired they volunteered to move here permanently, or us to Colorado, but I declined the offer. Chloe still has nightmares, but they’re only a few times a week. Tara and Drew don’t completely understand, mostly asking where their mom and dad are right before bed or a nap. We’re hanging on, mostly to each other for the life support we need to carry on.
Trey stops by every day, either taking the kids to the park or just to hang out for a few hours. I try to make myself scarce, but occasionally I just sneak up to my bedroom until I hear the roar of his muffler disappear down the street. My body begs me to stay where he is, waiting for his fingers to brush against mine, to feel that electric shock, but it will just make the inevitable harder. Trey won’t be able to stay in this caged life. He should be out there living, instead of nailed down with three kids and a pseudo wife. His tenacious side is really shining, and I’m waiting for the day he doesn’t show up, the day he finally chalks it up and forgets us.
Uncle Clyde continues to do his silent encouraging, and Aunt Holly furthers her bluntness to informing me what a stubborn ass I’m being. But they don’t understand, I saw the toll it took on Caden when he took me on as well as Jen. Not to say we weren’t happy, we were, but it wasn’t easy. I can’t help thinking Caden wouldn’t have minded dating Jen without having to worry about a babysitter or a little sister tagging along. Those teenage years, when I was outspoken and downright mean. The fights we had when I disrespected Jen. I love Trey. I wish everyone would understand, I’m putting us both through hell for him.
That doesn’t mean I’m not mourning Trey in a way as well. My heart practically shatters every time I see him, my feet desperately want to disobey me and run toward him. It would be easier for me to jump into his arms and allow him to wipe away all my worries. So, I keep repeating to myself, it’s for his own good. I just wish he’d give up already because I’m starting to waiver the more he comes around.
Especially since when I came back from class this afternoon, I found suitcases by the door. “Aunt Hol,” I yell, “what’s with the suitcases?”
She doesn’t bother even turning around from the sink. “We’re going somewhere,” she says, continuing to clean the dishes.
“Where, and who is we?” I make my way to the fridge to grab a Diet Coke.
“All of us. Well, you probably won’t want to go, so you can stay here. But me, Clyde, and the kids.” She’s been giving the cold shoulder for the past week.
“Where would you be going? It’s Fourth of July, I thought we could—,”
“We’ve been invited to Trey’s family’s house. I think it would do some good for the kids to get away.”
“You can’t just take them,” I spout. She turns around and raises her eyebrows at me.
“Okay, Kailey, can we take the kids to Trey’s for the long weekend?” She sighs and purses her lips.
“No,” I answer, shaking my head.
“Too bad.” she shrugs her shoulders.
“I said no. I’m their guardian.”
“Kailey, they need a change. They need something to look forward to. To get out of this house and not be reminded of everything they lost. Maybe you want to continue to wallow in grief, but it’s not fair to them.”
Taken back, I cock my head, surprised she’s pointing the finger at me. I wasn’t the driver who smashed into the ambulance. I’m not the one who gave Jen cancer. All I’ve done is continued our normal schedule. The kids do everything like they did before their parents died. It’s not like I lay in my bed all day feeling sorry for myself. Well, maybe a little.
“That boy loves those kids and you too, if you’d just open your damn eyes you’d realize it. His mom called me and invited all of us, including you, which is more than I can say I would do from the way you’ve treated her son.” I release a deep breath from exhaustion of her attitude with me.
“Fine. Go. I’ll stay here.” I shout at her while I walk up the stairs. A memory suddenly floods to mind of the fights I had with Jen when I was sixteen. Oh, how I miss her.
When I get to my room, I slam the door like a teenager and flop down on my bed. Anger rising within me, the nerve that she’s taking the kids away, and with Trey. My phone dings in my pocket, and I pull it out.
Trey: Please think about coming. It would be good to get away. Love, your little drummer boy. Although, there’s nothing little about me. ;)
Tossing the phone into my pillow, I let my head fall down onto my crossed arms. The ache that occupies my body is for Trey. I’ve been dreaming about him every night. The feel of his warm arms wrapped around me. There’s no way, I can be in a car with him for three hours, but at the same time there’s no way I can’t. The pull to him is too strong, and he’s weakened me these past weeks as much as I hate to admit it.
Already accepting I should be packing my bag another text comes through.
Trey: Not even a LOL or smiley? Give me something.
The smallest smile starts to form. Damn him.
Me: LOL. Happy now?
Trey: I won’t be happy until you agree to come. Come on my cat girl.
Say no, say no.
Me: Fine.
Trey: Pack a skimpy bikini. Wait, strike that. Bring a one piece too. The bikini will be for the midnight swims with just you and me.
Uh, the audacity of him to think just because I’m agreeing to go, I’ll be skinny dipping with him in the middle of the night.
Me: Don’t get any ideas. I’m not going to be skinny dipping with the likes of you.
Trey: Look has the dirty mind now. I said bikini, not naked. But hey, I’m sure you can persuade me. I’m leaving my house, so pack that bag because I’m coming to get ALL of you.
Just like that the butterflies swarm within my stomach, and the anticipation of being near him grows more intense. Jesus, Kailey, you have no self-control. You’ve held off for the past two weeks, and now you’re just going to give in. What the hell is wrong with you? You love him that’s what.
Trey arrives fifteen minutes later. I barely have everything packed by the time he’s at my bedroom door. He leans against the doorframe so cocky and sure of himself, bearing that flirtatious smirk. “Did you pack it?” he slyly asks.
“Maybe,” I playfully respond, shrugging my shoulders.
He comes into the room and grabs my bag from the bed. When he passes by me, his hand grazes mine and goose bumps spread like wildfire up my arm.
“I just want to make something clear, Trey. This doesn’t change anything. You still need to move on with your life.” His eyes drop, and he takes a long breath before they open again.
“Got it.” His lips turn up into a smile.
We climb into the van, all the kids in the back row, and Holly and I in the second row with Trey and Clyde up front. Holly pats my knee and smiles at me, obviously deliriously happy that I changed my mind.
Three hours, two bathroom breaks, and an hour filled with whining later, we arrive at Trey’s parents’. It’s an enormous two-story brick house set back on a lot of empty land. Classic and modern all rolled into one. With tons of windows and black trim, it’s stunning to look at. The lines are sleek but jagged. Whoever designed it had a keen eye for architecture, that’s for sure.
Trey parks the van in front of the four-car garage, and all of us are eager to escape the confined space. “I forgot what it’s like to travel with children,” Holly says to me and just shrugs. I want to remind her she’s the one who was so keen on this little road trip, but this will be uncomfortable as it is, I’ll need her as an ally not an enemy.
Trey and Clyde carry the bags, but before we open the door it busts open with Elena standing in the doorway. Seriously, do these people have magic powers? Have they ever heard of letting some knock before answering? “Hi, everyone. Welcome.” She throws the door open all the way and signals us to come in. Anxiety builds inside of me that maybe I’m not really welcome, but of course she quickly proves me wrong.
Once I’m through the door, she squeezes me tightly just like her son always does. “Welcome, Kailey.” Her arms bring a warmth around me, almost chipping away some coldness. I nod and clench my teeth, so I don’t break down.
Elena makes a huge pot of spaghetti with homemade meatballs for dinner. We sit on the patio that overlooks acres of land. The kids play in the yard, Chloe does cartwheels, Tara somersaults, and Drew just running in circles. It’s nice to see them so happy and carefree, like children should be. Not that they aren’t at home, but Aunt Holly was right, they needed to get out of that house and Western. Damn, I hate it when she’s right.
“Kailey, will you help me?” Elena asks, taking the dishes into the kitchen.
I automatically stand, kicking myself for not offering first. Trey rises to his feet to help. “Trey, you stay. I only need Kailey. We’ll be right back.” She smiles, and I look at Aunt Holly with fear of what I’m in for.
Elena is already at the counter, placing desserts on the tray to take out. She shuffles with such grace from the cabinets to the counter and back again. I wonder if she was a dancer at one time in her life. After she places everything on the tray we need to take, I scoop up a stack of plates and turn around hopeful to escape. “Kailey, can we have a quick moment to talk?” I close my eyes take a deep breath and turn her way again with a perfectly wide smile encased across my mouth.
“Of course.” I go back, and she signals for me to scoot the stool out. My eyes are darting everywhere but at her.
“I know this is hard for you. Although I’ve never lost anyone so close to me, as you have. I imagine it’s unbearable.” She pats my hand.
“We’re managing, but thank you for your concern.” I act nothing short of polite.
“Trey’s been through a lot,” she starts, and I just want to roll my eyes. Here’s the mother bird protecting her helpless baby.
“I know.”
“Don’t get me wrong, he’s been no saint. But I can tell you he loves you, and I hope that you can see you’re hurting both of you.” She gives me a small smile and turns around.
“I just don’t want to force him into taking care of us. It’s my love for him that has me pushing him away. Please, don’t confuse it for anything, but me wanting the best for him.” I’m even surprised by myself that I’m revealing my fucked up feelings to her so fast.
“That’s admirable, honey.” Oh good, she’s on my side. “But, it’s not your decision to make if Trey wants to be a part of yours and the kids’ life. It’s his. If I know my son, he’s made his decision, so it’s only you that’s making him unhappy at this point.” Her lips tighten and she pats my hand. “I am sorry for your losses, Kailey, but you are here still. Make the most of your short time, be happy. If Trey is it, don’t push him anymore, embrace him. Don’t let your fears determine his future.” She scoops up the tray and walks back outside. “Could you bring those plates on your way?” She asks as though she didn’t just give me a nice kick in the ass.
By the time, I venture out with the plates, Trey’s in the yard playing with the kids. All three of them are chasing him around the big yard, and when he pretends to fall, they all topple on top of them. The laughs and giggles are contagious among everyone. A small smile spreads across my lips, and I want nothing more than to be out there with them. For the first time, I admit to myself that I want this life, and that I desperately want it with Trey; the kids, the husband, and the whole fairytale. I’d been pushing it aside, not wanting to admit it to myself. He catches me out of the corner of his eye and winks before focusing his attention back on the kids.
Elena grips my arm on her way back to the kitchen, smiling at me. Fully aware I finally had my ‘aha’ moment. Trey stands up with his eyes only on me. The girls grip onto his legs, but he continues walking my way with them giggling and pulling on them. He bends down whispers something to them, and they scurry over to the swing set, Drew two steps behind the girls.
“Holly. Mom. Can you watch the kids tonight?” He asks them with his eyes staring right into mine the whole time.
“Of course.” They both say in unison. He grabs my hand without saying a word, and I don’t argue or pull back for the first time in two weeks. He leads us to the garage and punches in a code, the double door opens, revealing any guys dream. Motorbikes, four wheelers, and mountain bikes fill it from wall to wall. Every adrenaline junkie’s dream. “What do you want to ride?” He opens up a metal cabinet with hanging keys like a valet case.
“Um...I can’t ride a motor bike.” I admit.
“Do you think I’m letting you ride by yourself?” He smirks at me, grabbing a set. “Let’s take the four-wheeler.” He looks me up and down, and a surge of heat flows up to my cheeks. “You okay if you get dirty?”
I glance at my jeans and sweatshirt. “Yeah.”
“You might have to strip down when we get back and shower in the back of the barn,” he slyly says, and all I can think of is if he’s with me, I’ll make do.
He hops on the green and black one and holds out a helmet for me. After both of us are equipped, he starts it up. “You’re gonna have to hold on to me really tight.” He chuckles.
“I wouldn’t think otherwise,” I flirtatiously say, wrapping my arms around his stomach. My hands on the hemline of his shirt, he takes them and puts them under his shirt, so they’re splayed on his bare skin.
“Better,” he tells me, and I conform my body against his, my head resting on his back. His muscles tighten and ease as he steers the vehicle through tree lines and mud lined fields. Usually not being in control would scare me to death, but Trey has always relaxed me. I’ve trusted him with everything, but one thing. It’s time I change that, he’s deserving of my heart. I know he’ll protect it.
He stops us, and I pry my body away from his, missing the heat the second I push back. The sky streaks orange and yellow as the sun begins to set. He holds out his hand for me, and I willingly take it in mine. Grabbing a blanket from the bag stashed on the back, he leads me to a tree house.
“Watch your step,” he instructs me, pointing at the narrow steps leading up to the wooden house.
“This is quite elaborate for a tree house,” I remark, stunned at the two winding staircases to reach the actual house.
“Well, not much to do when you’re a kid. It got us out of the house.” He continues taking the steps slowly every once in a while peering down in my direction. “My brother used to throw crazy parties up here until all the parents finally clued in on what everyone was doing. It made for a great make-out place, though.” He winks over his shoulder, and the thought that this is the place he got his girlfriend pregnant flashes to mind. We finally reach the landing after the first set, and he cages me against the railing. “I wouldn’t have brought you here,” he tells me, obviously aware of where my thoughts ventured.
“What? Oh, that doesn’t matter.” I attempt to play it off as best as I can.
“Well, I just wanted to make it clear.” He takes my hand and positions me in front of him. “This is a steep one, so you go first.”
“I think there might be another reason why you want me to go first.” I arch my eyebrows, and he chuckles.
“Just hope my hands don’t disobey what my head is telling them,” he says with a bellow of laughter.
I shake my head, even though I love his flirtatious talk. It’s surprising how fast I can get back into our banter, it must mean something. Trey gives me directions on how to undue the latch and pry the door open. “Is some animal going to attack me when I open this?”
“No. Well, there shouldn’t be anything in there, but I don’t know the last time anyone was here.” He shifts his jaw and raises his shoulders. “Here, let me do it.” He begins squeezing by me. I grip the railing as his body slides along mine. He stops when we’re right next to each other on the narrow steps. I vaguely think we might plummet to our deaths, but the back of his hand touches my cheek, slowly flowing down. “You’re so beautiful,” he whispers.
My eyes begin to water, and I push the tears back. Now is not the time. His eyes fall, and he turns around to open the latched door. “Nope, no animals,” he says, climbing in. He holds out his hand to help me climb in. While he positions the blanket across the floor, I look around at the torn boxes of board games, a few beanbags positioned in corners, and miscellaneous knick knacks that have been left behind. It’s the most spacious tree house I’ve ever been in. Not that I’ve ever been in one. I always imagined them some makeshift small room that you had to sit in due to low ceilings. That the wood would creak every time you moved, making you think it would crash down to the ground and you would fall to your death with pieces of wood scattered around you.
But this is opposite from every vision I had. The ceiling is tall, and there’s even another small staircase that takes you to the next level that has a window to look out of. “This is amazing,” I say, taking in everything around me.
“It was okay. With you here though, it’s breathtaking.” He smirks, knowing he’s purposely sweet-talking me.
“Nice, Michaels,” I compliment, walking over to him. He lies on the blanket, and holds his hand out for me to join him. Slowly, my legs make it to the hard floor, and he pulls me on top of him. “Trey,” I sigh.
“Shhh.” He places his hand on the back of my neck and brings me down to his lips. I begin to push, placing my hands on his muscular chest, but he just grips me tighter, not allowing a miniscule of space between us. “Enough, Kailey,” he says. “You can’t push me anymore.” His lips crash into mine again, and he licks the seam of my dry lips. I slowly part, but he doesn’t wait, thrusting his tongue into my mouth. Our lips dance like always, a reminder of how well we fit together. Our connection showing with the surge of electricity between the two of us. My body collapses, and he rolls me over to my back. Instantly, my hands find the familiar hair line right above his neck, mindlessly massaging it while my one leg wraps around his waist. Pushing his body against my small frame, he tucks his hands under my thighs, and I wrap both legs around him, clasping him against me. Holding me there, he allows his lips to explore my neck and throat. “I fucking love you, Kailey. You’re not going to toss me away because you’re scared,” he says, and I moan pressing his head against my neck. Not willing to let me get away, he backs his head up slightly and stares down at me. “I’m here. Do you understand? I’m not going anywhere. I’m yours.” He waits for me to answer.
I continue to gaze into his brown eyes. “Are you sure?” I ask, and he sighs.
“Yes, damn it,” he presses his body against mine, cupping my face with both his hands. “I want this life. I want you and the kids. I want to drop Chloe at kindergarten and Tara to pre-school. Have chaotic dinners filed with laughter and sometimes tears. I want to argue with you on whether we should allow them to do something we disagree on. I want to hire a babysitter and take you on dates, knowing that when we return home, you’ll be mine for the taking. I want to wake up early and surprise you with breakfast with the kids jumping around us. Yes, maybe this life would have scared me shitless a few months ago, but now I’m scared like hell you’re going to shut me out of what I want most in this life.”
I bite my lower lip. “What do you want most?” I ask in a whispery voice.
“A future with all four of you.”
Unblinking, I bring my hands to his cheeks. “It’s yours.” A small smile creeps over his lips before I push him back down on me.
Chapter 21
Trey
Not willing to let Kailey get away, I continue to kiss my way down her neck. I want to take her so fucking bad. The need to be inside of her, my dick surrounded by her clenching warmth is so intense, I could practically come right now. With her legs tightening around my waist, I know she’s thinking the same.
My hands begin to roam up her shirt, until my hand cups her breast, massaging her pebbled nipple between my fingers. God, how I’ve missed them. Unable to hold back, I pull down her bra, letting the fullness spill out. I inch her shirt up until it rests at her chin. One breast out and one barely concealed inside the green satin of her bra. My fingers twitch with need to unclasp her bra. To my surprise, she reaches forward and does it for me. When the green fabrics falls to the side, revealing her luscious, creamy skin with the small pink nipples, my mouth salivates with the thought of it wrapped around one of them. “You’re so damn hot,” I say, bending down and taking a mouthful. As I take turns switching from one to the other, never completely satisfied, Kailey begins to squirm under me. She’s getting as hot as I am, and the thought of how soaked she is right now, makes me grow even harder.
She doesn’t make me wait long, as she begins to guide my hands down to her waistline. My fingers unbutton her shorts and pull the zipper down, revealing a peek at her striped underwear. Her body wiggles back and forth, and I help her drag down her jeans, watching her as she gets her legs out and kicks them across the room. Peering down at the sight of her in only her underwear, her legs spread out waiting for me my breath stops. Her eyes holding my gaze with the love and life I haven’t seen in weeks. “Well, are you just going to sit there?” She cocks her head to the side, giggling.
“No,” I answer, staying right where I am. “You’re mine?” I question, craving the finality that her fight is over.
“I’m yours,” she confirms and holds her arms out. I inch forward but she places her finger up in the air. “Take the shorts off,” she demands, and I scramble to take them off as fast as I can.
Once I’m on top of her, my cock begs me to relieve him, I gently nudge her with my hardness and she moans. “Say it?” I ask her.
“I love you, Trey,” she answers immediately.
“For how long?” I ask her, kissing her neck and collarbone.
“Always,” she breathlessly tells me.
“And?” I say, kissing her stomach and hooking my hands on either side of her panties. I begin pulling the striped cotton underwear down her thighs, exposing her glistening wetness.
“Forever, Trey,” she sighs. “I need you, now.” I finish pulling them down her tanned legs, and shrug out of my boxer briefs at the same time.
“Remember that.” I’m not even fully at her opening when her hands take a firm grasp to my ass and thrust my body forward. She’s so fucking wet, I slide right in.
“Ahhh,” she moans, tilting her head back. I descend on her neck like a damn vampire starved for blood; sucking her flesh into my mouth with the sensation of her wrapped so tightly around me. My face burrows into her shoulder as I pump into her time and time again.
I’m barely going to hold on. It’s like lighting a match and the quick descent of the flame to your fingers. I can’t hold back much longer, but damn if I’ll burn myself before she doesn’t get off before me.
“I love you, Kailey. Never leave me again. It’s been a nightmare without you.” My heart starts speaking for me.
“Never, Trey. I promise. I’m done fighting,” she stutters between moans and gripping of my body.
“I think I just went from hell to heaven in the past hour. That’s what you are to me, Kailey, pure heaven.” Her legs are tightening around my waist, and I know she’s growing closer.
“Oh Trey,” she whispers, her warm rapid breathing right at my ear. “Look at me,” she asks, and I pick my head up. When I catch the desire and love all mixed together in her eyes, I’m finally at peace that it’s okay. She’s not going to leave me again.
She licks her lips, and she doesn’t have to tell me twice before I cover hers with mine. Our tongues are frantic within each other, darting in and out and around. Sweat puddles between our bodies while our teeth knock, our hands grasp, and we whisper promises of love and happily ever after.
By the time we come, I’m exhausted. Seeing the sweat line across her hairline and her body trembling, I pull her toward me. Sitting up, I stare into her eyes and the small film of tears in them has me terrified I pushed us too fast.
“Why are you crying?” I cradle her to me, rubbing my thumb across the bottom of her eye.
“I’m sorry,” she weeps into my arms. “I put you through hell... I put us both through it.” A small smile begins to form, thankful she was in hell just like me.
“Hey,” I push her back so she can see me, “it’s all good now. Really good,” I let my eye roam down our naked bodies.
“So you forgive me?”
“I’ll always forgive you.” I place my finger under her chin and lightly kiss her lips. “For future reference, I’m not going anywhere.”
“Thank you for sticking with me.”
“Well, your stubborn side is one I love the most.” She playfully smacks her hand at my chest, but I just pull her closer.
I ease us onto the blanket and rub my fingers down her arm, feeling the warmth of her hand on my chest. “Can I ask you a question?” She picks her head up to look at me. “Do I need to start investing in good pairs of track shoes?” Her eyes squint from confusion. “Am I going to be chasing you for the rest of my life?”
She softly giggles. “I think my running days are over.” She places the softest kiss on my stomach. “Can I ask you something?” I nod my head. “Are you sure I’m what you want? Am I enough to keep you?”
My body jerks up. “Kailey.” I’m thrown at the seriousness of her question. Mine had been a playful slam on her always running from me, but she clearly still has concerns about my feelings. “Yes, you’re what I want. How could you ask that?”
“It’s just...” the tears are forming again in her eyes. “Trey, I really liked you when you still didn’t know who I was. You never even gave me a second look. There were times, I was sitting right next to you when you would come up to the bar. One time you actually winked at me. I’m just worried that—,” I stop her.
“Kailey, I was a different person then, blind to any girl who wasn’t putting off a vibe that I could get in her pants. I’m sorry that you noticed me first, but believe, baby, the last thing you need to worry about is not being enough for me or what I want. I’ve been waiting for you my whole life; I was just too fucked up to know it. When you sat down next to me on that plane, it was like an awakening. Everything cleared and it was only you standing in the vision of my future. You know how many times I’ve lain awake with you in my arms, wishing for morning never to come? Or the times, I count minutes until I’m going to see you again? When we’re together, I pray for time to slow and when we’re apart, I beg for it to speed up.” He pauses staring down at me. “So, I guess what I’m trying to tell you is, I was a complete prick for never seeing the girl who held my future in her heart. But now that I’ve found her, I’ll never give her up. You got that, baby?” A sly grin forms and she throws her arms around me.
“I love you, Trey Michaels,” she says into my ear. The best five words of all time when they come out of her mouth.
“I love you, the future Mrs. Trey Michaels.” She pushes herself up and looks at me in shock. “Yes, baby, one day I’ll be tattooing our wedding day on my body.” I’m not asking her although if she accepted right now, I wouldn’t think twice before running out and getting her a ring. But it has to be special, she deserves that plus more.
“How did I get so lucky?” she asks, her lips millimeters from my ear.
“Nah, baby, I’m the lucky one.”
Kailey and I stay up in that tree house for the night, making up for our weeks apart. We text Aunt Holly, and, of course, she says she has it under control. The next morning we’re both itching to get back to the three munchkins. After one quickie against the wall, we get dressed and leave the small love shack we called home for twelve hours.
I feel like I could conquer world peace right now with her behind me, holding me tight. On our way to the kids, who I can’t help but think of as a part of me now. After I park the green machine in the garage, I push Kailey against the wall, giving her one long lingering kiss. “Until tonight, baby.” I tell her, and she looks at me quizzing. “You’re in my bed tonight.”
“Oh, I thought you meant I wouldn’t be getting a taste of those lips all day.” She takes a fistful of my shirt and yanks me back into her again.
“You’ll be lucky if I make it to the house without sneaking you behind a bush,” I say, leaning back to watch the pink flush spread across her cheeks.
When we open the door, three kids run at us and we scoop them in our arms. With Drew and Tara in mine, they nuzzle close. “We missed you,” Tara says.
“You and Trey all better?” Chloe asks, and we look at each other and then at my mom and Aunt Holly walking toward us.
“Like the little tike didn’t notice Trey not around,” Holly confesses.
“She’s an answer seeker, that’s for sure,” my mom laughs.
“Yeah, we’re all better,” Kailey says, finding my hand. The five us together, a family.
My mom smiles, knowing exactly what I’m thinking. I have to say, I’m a bit surprised she’s so willing to push me toward this instant family. She was my biggest supporter with the adoption.
After showers for both of us, we get the kids ready. I take Drew with me to pick up the meat at the butcher along with my dad and Clyde, while all the women take Chloe and Tara to get their nails done.
We aren’t back for five minutes before the gang arrives. I open the door to Brady, Sadie, Jessa, Grant, Dex, and some girl named Chrissy that I’ve never met before.
“Hopefully that wide grin means you won her back?” Dex says, clasping my shoulder as I hand them all beers and drinks around the kitchen island.
“Yeah, she can’t deny this gorgeous face for that long,” I joke.
“Hum—always conceited.” The voice that makes my body jump with excitement adds while walking into the room. She gives everyone hugs, and they all glance my way once she moves on to the next. Surprised to the instant change. Snaking her way to me, she slides close to my body and her arm rests along my back.
