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But I don’t mind. It has a nice ring to it. Being a part of the Maguire family wouldn’t be a hardship. They’re so close, so obvious with their love for each other, and I come from the complete opposite type of family. I spent Christmas with them since my mom spent the holiday with her new boyfriend, and I loved every second of it. Her parents treated me like I’m already a part of their family, and that was the best gift they could’ve ever given me.
Besides Blair, of course.
“Come on,” I tell Ruby, removing my hold on Blair, so I can escort her sister over to where Ace is currently sprawled out on the couch. One of the girls already left, so he only has a cute redhead under his left arm, a red solo cup clutched in his right hand. When he spots me, he grins, lifting the cup up in a toast.
“Number one QB! Who’s the hottie?” Ace’s gaze runs up and down Ruby, and I can tell she likes it.
Behind us, Blair groans.
“This is Ruby Maguire. Ruby, I’d like you to meet Ace Townsend.” I pause. “The number two QB.”
“And about to become number one.” Ace rises to his feet, forgetting all about the redhead. “Nice to meet you, beautiful.”
They shake hands, Ruby giggling, the redhead glaring from her perch on the edge of the couch.
“You did hear me say her last name, right?” I ask him.
“I caught it. Maguire. You a cousin?”
“She’s my sister,” Blair pipes up from behind us.
Ace lets go of Ruby’s hand as if it were a snake. “I forgot Knox had two sisters.”
“Is that a deterrent?” Ruby asks. “That Knox is my brother?”
“It makes you off limits,” Ace says, sending a smile in the redhead’s direction. What a schmuck.
“Ooh, I love a challenge,” Ruby says, making Natalie laugh.
“That might be a mistake,” Blair tells me minutes later, when we’re alone, watching Ruby and Ace, who are still talking. He’s back on the couch, the redhead long gone, Ruby standing directly in front of him.
“Ace and Ruby?”
“Yes.” Blair makes a face. “They sound like cartoon characters.”
“I think they kind of go together.”
Blair swats at my chest. “You do not.”
“I’m just giving you shit.”
“I know.” She beams up at me and I kiss her. “Are you going to kiss me at midnight?”
“Definitely.” I kiss her again. “Can’t wait to see what the new year brings us.”
“Me too.” She slings her arms around my waist, peering up at me. “I love you, Camden.”
“I love you too, Bumblebee.”
She reaches for the necklace I got her, with the tiny gold bumblebee pendant. She hasn’t taken it off since Christmas morning. “I sort of hated the nickname at first, but now I love it.”
“You hated it?” I whistle. “Those are strong words, baby.”
“I was just feeling sassy—and annoyed by you. I wanted you to think of me by my real name, not some made-up nickname.” She scowls, and it’s adorable.
“I always know exactly who I’m thinking about no matter what I call you. Blair. B. Bumblebee.” I kiss her again. “Baby.” Another kiss. “Love of my life.”
“You’ve turned into a real sap, Camden Fields,” she tells me, her eyes glowing.
