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“You’re late,” I say, hitting the treadmill.
“Clara and I got a little busy.” Ben laughs a little as he stretches.
We talk shit to each other as we go through our work out. My mind keeps turning to Shayne and what she’s probably doing right now. I’ve lost count on my reps more times than I’d like to admit.
A scream rips through the workout room with a whirl of energy. “Uncle Damien.”
With uncle-like reflexes I drop the kettlebell and turn around and catch the little monster that’s launching herself at me. Her tiny arms go around me. “Ewww, you’re all sweaty.” Felicity kisses my cheek before pushing away.
“Grandma said I could come over here to wait for Mommy.”
“Hey, little girl.” Axel bends over and kisses Felicity on the top of her head before her hands push him away too. “Daddy, you’re all sweaty.”
“Ahh, come on give me a hug.” Felicity screams as she rushes out of the garage with Axel running after her with his arms outstretched.
“I want a hug,” Ben says, eliciting another scream from Felicity.
“Hello,” Emma says as the door opens.
“Mommy, save me they’re all sweaty.” Felicity wraps her arms around Emma’s legs. “Eww, you’re sweaty too.”
“Hey, I just got out of yoga class,” Emma says.
“Save me, Shayne.” Felicity runs toward Shayne.
My heart stutters as Shayne bends down and swoops Felicity up as if they’ve been doing it for years.
“I’ve got you.” Shayne kisses her cheek, putting her on her hip. “Good morning,” Shayne says.
“Do family yoga with us.” Felicity twirls Shayne’s hair that’s come loose from her bun.
“Yes, you should join us,” Emma says, giving her a smile.
“Are you sure?” Shayne asks.
“Of course. You’re family,” Clara says, taking Emma’s lead.
“Ok, let me change.” Shayne puts Felicity down, kissing the top of her head before heading down the hall to my room.
I can feel all five pairs of eyes burning a hole into me. “Don’t say anything.”
“We weren’t going to say anything,” Ben says with a smirk. “We were going to ask questions.”
“Come on Felicity, let’s go set up in the backyard for family yoga.” I help Felicity jump on my back and we head outside.
Shayne’s ass is up in the air and I can’t look away. Fuck, I don’t want to look away.
Axel smacks me on the back of my thigh. “Pay attention.”
“Believe me, I am.”
Axel smiles at me as Emma rolls her eyes in the front of the class. “Alright, that’s it for the day. Felicity has a playdate.”
We roll up our yoga mats with practiced ease. Shayne works in unison as if she’s done this with us from the beginning and something tugs deep in my chest. My whole family hugs Shayne as they take off, each one of them slipping me a wink like they know a secret.
We walk into the kitchen and Shayne stretches her arms toward the ceiling. “I didn’t realize how much I needed that.”
That thing tugs harder in my chest. “We try to do it at least once a week. It was more, but Emma’s classes are filling up and she keeps having to add more at the club.”
“I’m excited to get started on her website.”
I kiss her, knowing she’ll do a great job working on it. Shayne’s a visionary and her graphic skills are on point. “I’m really glad you’re here.”
Shayne smiles, lighting up the room more than the sun pouring in through the windows. “I’m really glad I’m here too.” She grabs her phone off the counter and glances at the screen. “I have to get to class.”
I wrap my arms around her thin waist. “Maybe you can skip for a day?”
Her green eyes grow wider. “Damien Jamison is suggesting I skip class? Who are you?”
I crack a smile. “It’s just one day.”
She raises a hand, checking my temperature on my forehead. “Are you feeling ok?”
“I’m feeling really good actually. I just don’t want you to go.”
She gives me a quick kiss. “The old Shayne would be skipping class all the time, but I really want to be more serious with my future. I’m taking your lead.”
“I really like that about you.” And for the first time in a long time I feel a sense of pride wash through me. I want to be the man to help Shayne build a sustainable future. And she’s rubbing off on me, too. My brothers for the longest time have told me I need to let loose a little more, and maybe having Shayne around is helping with that.
I know one thing’s for certain, this girl is doing things to me. And, it’s all for the better.
13
Shayne
The thought of skipping class and spending the day with Damien was very enticing. Leaving the house was probably the hardest thing I’ve done in a while. But, with his support and confidence in me, I’ve now found some in myself as well. I want to be the woman he can be proud of, that’s why I kissed him goodbye and rushed off to school before I could change my mind.
