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He stops me, staring down into my eyes. “You know that’s how we look to other people, right?” I smirk at him and shake my head. “Yes, it is. I see you every day, and I still can’t keep my damn hands off of you.” He’s right. He always has to touch me, even if it’s just a simple squeeze of my hand.
“I guess you’re right.”
He kisses me, and when we break apart, he grins at me. “Of course, I’m right. I keep telling you I’m always right. When the hell are you going to believe me?” I laugh as we go into the house.
“There they are,” Jax says as we walk into the kitchen.
Blake grabs two beers out of the fridge and hands one to me. “You know how it is. Had to give my girl a quickie. She can’t keep her damn hands off of me.”
They all laugh and I smack him on his chest. Jax and Kallie have everything outside already, so we go out and sit down to start eating. They all talk and get to know Shannon better. I don’t say much and take it all in.
After about an hour, I excuse myself to go to the bathroom. When I come out, I scream because Blake is leaning up against the wall.
“What the hell are you doing? You scared the shit out of me,” I say, breathing heavily.
He doesn’t say anything. He pushes off the wall and pulls me in for a hug. After a minute, he kisses my head and pulls back slightly to see my face.
“What’s wrong?” he asks, and I give him a confused look. “You haven’t said much.”
He’s always so worried about me. It’s so sweet. “Nothing is wrong. I’m just enjoying the night. I like everyone getting to know Shannon better. I also like the fact that I’m surrounded by my favorite people in the world tonight.”
He smiles and gives me a quick kiss. “All right, just making sure. Now let’s go back out there because I think Brody is itching to get Shannon back to his place.” I have no doubt they’re both itching to get out of here. It’s fine though, because tomorrow I will have everyone over.
We go back outside, and the guys are talking by the grill, and Kallie and Shannon are talking at the table. I sit with them and they both smile at me.
“What?” I question.
Shannon leans over and hugs me. “I’m so proud of you,” she whispers in my ear and it brings tears to my eyes. I know I’m not the same person I was when I moved out here, and I have her and Blake to thank for that. I clear my throat when she pulls away. “Kallie, London has told me how much she’s come to like you, and I have to say I can see why. You are so much fun.”
Kallie glances at me and I smile. “Thank you both. London is definitely one of my best friends now, and I can tell you will be right there too. Well, unless we become sisters-in-law.” We all laugh, but I never thought of it before. They are dating brothers.
“Hey, Blake is a brother too.” I give them a pouty lip and again we laugh.
“You said it. Jax always says he has two brothers, Brody and Blake.” Blake says the same thing about Jax. “So, London, do you need anything for tomorrow?”
I sip my beer and peek over at Blake. “No, Blake and I are going to the store in the morning, but I’ve got it. I’m just so excited to have everyone over. I just hope you all aren’t bored.” Shannon smacks my arm, and I rub it, staring at her. “What the fuck was that for?”
“Stop doubting yourself. It will be fun as hell.”
“Shannon, I love you already. You sound just like me,” Blake says.
I look up at Blake and he tips his beer to me. “Great, having both of you going at me should make for a great couple of days.” Shannon holds up her beer and Blake taps it. I roll my eyes and finish off my beer.
We spend the next two hours drinking and enjoying each other’s company until Shannon gets drunk. She starts telling stories of college, and I think I kicked her a dozen times, trying to get her to stop, but the more she drinks, the more she talks. Everyone loves the stupid stories, getting more out of her than they have out of me. W
hen Brody says he’s going to take her back to his place, I want to kiss him.
We all say goodbye, and Blake and I head to bed. Once we’re settled, he pulls me to rest my head on his chest. “London, was it college when he hurt you?” I tense up at the question and feel the need to run. “Relax, baby. I’m just asking. I’m not pressuring you.”
I take a deep breath and close my eyes. “Yes.” He holds me tight and I keep my eyes closed, because I know if I open them, the tears behind them will spill out.
Chapter Twelve
Blake
I wake up with London still wrapped in my arms. I stare down at her and my heart literally doubles its beats. I move the hair away from her face and study her while she sleeps—the way her mouth is slightly parted, her chest rising and falling, and the peaceful expression on her face. I’ve never been in love before, never understood the reason for it, but this right here makes me understand. I love her.
Last night when we were hanging out and Shannon started talking about college, I watched London. I saw her kick Shannon several times. I watched her face appear almost fearful, like she was scared Shannon would say something she didn’t want known. That’s when I knew she met the guy that hurt her in college. When I asked her before we fell asleep, I felt her entire body tense up, but when she simply said yes, my heart broke in half. The way she said it was so incredibly sad, broken. I never want to hear her sound like that again, and I can tell you, without expecting a pat on the ass, that she never sounds that way with me. I make her laugh, make her smile, and make her enjoy life, just like I said I would. I can also have her screaming my name, which makes me enjoy life.
