“I think it’s because she’s settling in plus she’s been meeting with Beth,” I confess. “I’m sure at some point, she’ll tell Livy what’s going on, but I’m not going to betray her trust, brother.”
“Wouldn’t want you to,” he advises as we set the plates down. “Be right back, need to get some silverware,” he says.
I sit back down and grin when I see Livy and Shelly have their heads together, giggling. “What are you two up to now?” I ask as BamBam returns with silverware as well as napkins, which he hands out before taking his seat once again.
“Nothing for you to worry about,” Livy sasses. “But I will say that we’re planning a shopping trip.”
Shelly nods then adds, “She knows where there’s an Ulta and I’m running low on some stuff.” She looks at Livy and asks, “Do you think Issy would like to go?”
“Go where?” Issy questions as she and Rio join our table, carrying their own plates and utensils. “If it’s Ulta, count me in. I may not dress all girly girl, except during a rodeo, but Idoneed more of my skincare products.”
Shelly claps her hands and grins. “Perfect! When should we go?”
I turn to Rio and ask, “When are we having church?”
“Thought we could have it tomorrow at some point, but some of the brothers and Mack are heading out in the morning to go fishing, so when they get back, I guess.”
“That works. Got a few things I want to bring to the table. Well, one actually, and I think it ties in with what Doc was getting for us,” I tell him.
“I’ll keep it in mind. Now, let’s eat because I feel the need to beat my woman at a game of pool once she’s done.”
“Tonight was a lot of fun,” Shelly murmurs as we head up to my room. “Also, thank you for not wanting to drive because you’d been drinking.”
“Never have, never will, but especially not with you along for the ride,” I promise as I unlock my door. Once we’re both inside, I close and relock it, then move to my wardrobe to dig outa T-shirt for her to wear. “The bathroom’s through that door and there are new toothbrushes in the cabinet. Help yourself, sweetheart.”
While she heads in to get changed, I straighten my room, thankful that one of the girls cleaned it earlier today, leaving me to put my clean clothes away. I may not do anything with the club girls and haven’t in quite some time, but I do allow them to clean my room and do my laundry for some spending money.
When she comes back out of the bathroom, her clothes neatly folded, she sets them in the chair that’s in the corner and slowly walks toward the bed, her phone in her hand. “I uh, I need a charger, Abyss.”
“Let me see it, Shelly,” I say. She hands it to me, and I look at the plug then grin. “I’ll plug it in the power bank since I’ve got extra chargers that’ll fit your phone.”
“Thanks.”
Once her phone is plugged in, I watch her slide into bed and bite back my smile. She looks nervous, but I’ve never seen anything more beautiful in my life. “I’ll be right out,” I say as I grab a pair of cut-off sleep pants and a clean T-shirt.
“I’ll be right here,” she teases.
It doesn’t take me long to get changed, take a piss, then brush my teeth and soon, I’m joining her in my bed. It’s a king size because of my height, but right now, there’s so much space between us I think another person, maybe two, could fit.
“Shelly?” I ask.
“Hmm?”
“Why are you so far away?”
“I don’t know,” she admits, sliding a little bit closer. “I guess I didn’t think too far ahead.”
“Sweetheart, we’re going to sleep. Well, maybe we’ll watch a movie or something if you want, but outside of that and a few kisses, sleeping is on the agenda.”
“Did you hear that Uncle Mack is going fishing for a few days?” she asks, moving closer.
Once she’s moved, I sling my arm over her shoulder and pull her close to where I’m leaning against the headboard. “Relax. And yes, I heard. Sounds like your house is gonna be empty for a few days.”
She grins up at me and nods, all nervousness now gone. “I know! I mean, it’s my house too, of course, so I should be allowed to do whatever I want, but I don’t want to rub his nose in anything since he’s alone now.”
“Then let’s settle in and find something to watch, make out during the commercials, and plan to head over to your house for a few days. What do you think?”
“I think that’s a great idea. I may still be nervous as all get out, but I’m ready to step into a future with you.”
