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"That, JJ, is not a fling."
ChapterSixteen
MARCUS
"Uh uh! Stay back!"
Each huff of breath from Rylee is coated with laughter, and it makes my chest puff up with pride. She came out of her first dunk looking mighty fine, dripping in salt water. I was worried she would be one of those girls that didn't play. Not my Rylee, though. She looks so damn giddy being tossed around in the water.
"Marc, don't do it." Her warning tone only has my grin widening as I prowl closer. I enjoy watching her fight her own smile, but she keeps losing the battle.
"Giddy-up, Judy! Save my mommy!"
"As you wish, Ms. Nugget!"
Just as Rylee's mouth twists into a devilish smirk, I'm fucking air born. As I sputter and heave water out of my lungs, I hear loud laughter and high-pitched giggles from little Layla.
"How was that?" My vision finally clears in time to watch Jude pick Layla up and twirl her around again.
"Perfect! You saved Mommy!" Her wet curls bob around her face as she bounces in Jude's arms. Beside them, Rylee's laughter has quieted, leaving behind a contemplative wistfulness.
"I will always save your mom," Jude says it in a silly manner, but the serious look he shoots Rylee has her smile dropping altogether.
"Even after we leave?"
"Let's go get some more sunscreen on you!" Rylee chimes in, reaching for her daughter. Her shoulders are tense as she carries Layla to their towels.
"What did she mean, Jude?" The water is up to my knees now as I stand in front of him. His brows are pulled together, and his eyes track them like he never wants them out of his sight ever again.
"They are subleasing that unit for the final two months. I don't know what Layla meant." His chocolate eyes lock on mine, and I'm shocked to find an entire world of emotion swirling in them. "Where do you think they are moving to?"
Unable to resist comforting him in some way, I hook my finger into one of his many bracelets. "I don't know, but I hope she stays close." I sigh. "Jude, we need to talk."
He doesn't pull his wrist away from me, but his eyes immediately cool. "I heard you with JJ. I get it, and I—" All the emotion he tried to lock away comes flooding back to the surface. "Marcus, I'm sorry."
I swear my heart falls out of my ass.What the hell is he sorry for? Is this it? Is this when he turns us away forever?I know I gave the ultimatum, but now that I'm faced with the consequences of my actions, I feel like I could keel over and vomit. I don't want to lose JJ and Jude. We love them, and they love us. We are more than friends. It's up to them, though, because I am done watching the love of my life get hurt over and over again by a couple of grown men who don't understand their own feelings.
I get that their childhood was horrible for them and Gabby, while Leo and I had fairly normal lives. Except for the fact that my dad is a dick, but I'm positive almost everyone has daddy issues. Not just women. So, I understand that Jude and Jackson have had different upbringings that caused lasting scars. But I refuse to stand by and allow them to scar us. There are only so many times I can handle my heart being stabbed by their rejection.
I step away, waiting for his final blow. "What are you sorry for, Jude?" My words are a plea.
Jude gulps. "I'm sorry for all the damage I have caused. You're right; it's time for us to figure our shit out and stop dragging you through it. Can I just... can I have a little time?"
Oh, thank fuck.
"One week, Jude. We are done hurting." I hate giving him a timeline, but we need to get this sorted out before it becomes a fucking mess. "Tell JJ, too. You have one week. You're either with us, or we are just friends."
His nod shakes some of his dripping curls onto his forehead, and I fight like hell not to reach out and brush them aside. "One week," he agrees quietly. "Let's go hang out with our girls, huh?" With a smirk back in place and a twinkle in his eye, he bolts from the water, shoving me out of the way. I give chase, annoyed he got the upper hand so damn fast.
Cursing under my breath, I arrive just short of him as he gives Rylee a big hug from behind.
One week and we will finally know where the four of us stand. Then maybe we should start figuring out where these wonderful ladies fit into our lives, too. Because what I'm seeing right now; Rylee fits perfectly in each dip and groove of Jude while Layla snuggles deeper into Leo's side.
They fit. But will they stay?
* * *
I'm not thrilled with how much pleading we had to do in order to have dinner with the girls again. It was actually Layla that convinced Rylee to come over for dinner. I haven't been able to kick the way her reluctance to hang out with us soured my appetite.
