Mom nods. Her eyes meet Jack’s over my shoulder. “I’ll make sure you have everything you need. You just need to make sure to take care of my daughter.”
“Always.” Jack squeezes my shoulder.
“Where does that leave us for tonight?” I ask to everyone. My gaze stops on my mom.
She smiles, but shakes her head. “I’m going to go to bed. I thought you all had a party to go to.”
“Nico’s hurt.” Jack points out.
“Would it be okay if we just watched a movie or a show until the guys have to go home?” I don’t want them to go home, but it’s not like there’s a place we can all be together right now.
Luke’s is a hard pass, not with his father home. Usually we stay at Caden’s, but since his parents are home that’s probably not a good idea.
Mom sighs. “Yes, you can all watch a movie or whatever. I’m trying to be an understanding mom, but I’m not about to put condoms in a candy dish on the coffee table.”
No, she’ll just give me economy sized ones for my bedroom. I’m going to be permanently red at this point.
“It was a rough game tonight.” Jack rubs my shoulder. “We have to volunteer early tomorrow morning.”
“I’ll stay in the guest bedroom if that’s still okay,” Luke asks. He watches my mother carefully, like he’s afraid she’ll say no.
“That would be fine, Luke.” Mom’s eyes soften as she takes in the guys as they pick up the kitchen chairs and take them back. Her eyes meet mine and she smiles softly, like she can see exactly what I see in my guys.
They’re mine and I’m theirs.
CHAPTER 50
La Petite Mort
Luke
I stop beside Nico. “Do you need anything?”
“Help shift my leg?” He holds his hands down to the brace.
I lift his leg slightly and help adjust his pillow.
“Thanks, man.” Nico leans back against the pillows. His attention shifts to Harper as a door closes upstairs. Jack dips his head to kiss her softly, gently.
I’m not sure how to act now. It seemed like the easiest way to explain our feelings, but I forced everyone else’s hand. Do I believe we all feel deeply for Harper and that it’s love? Yes.
Do I think everyone was ready to admit it to herandher mother? Maybe not.
She draws away from Jack and turns to look at me. Her brown eyes shine with such happiness. I don’t know what this week will bring. I don’t know how we’ll keep her safe. But we’ll find a way.
She walks over to me, wrapping her arms around my waist and resting her head against my pounding heart. I pull her in tight against me. If she left me, it would break me.
She’s a part of me, and I’ve told her before but never like this. I can’t let her go.
“You’ve definitely gotten better at hugs,” she murmurs.
“You give me lots of practice.” I kiss her temple as I pull away. “What do you want to watch, princess?”
She steps back, and Caden draws her back against him, hugging her shoulders as she brings her hands up to his arms. Her head rests against his chest.
“Don’t you like zombie shit?” Caden asks. I refrain from rolling my eyes. He’s the one who wanted to watch that zombie show with her.
She tips her head back to glare at him. “It’s not shit. It’s about how society can devolve so easily.”
