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Shit.Leo and I pull away at the same time, gasping for air. An innocent kiss with any of them can turn passionate in a fucking flash. A slap followed by a warning rumble makes me smirk. Leo and Marcus move to the fridge together to make their breakfasts. I eye Jackson and smirk at him when I see the wicked gleam in his eye.
"I'm going to start throwing hands!"
Marcus snorts and points a butter knife in her direction. "Nobody says that anymore, Gabs."
She stomps her foot. "I will end you."
I snort and go to tease her, but JJ cuts me off. "We became official about a month ago, Gabby. I'm sorry we didn't tell you. I think we have just been trying to figure it out ourselves, you know?"
She softens, giving me my opening. "Yeah, Sunshine. Like Daddy JJ-Ow! Hey!" My bicep bunches in annoyance from the blow Jackson just landed.
"Oh, shush. I barely hit you," he scoffs.
Rubbing the tender spot, I pout. "Yeah, but you hit a weird spot. My muscle is fucking tweaking."
He's on his feet and grasping my arm before I can continue to explain how my arm is twitching. "Shit, Jude. I'm so sorry. I didn't actually mean to hurt you." Twisting my arm left and right, Jackson tries to find the source of my pain. "What can I do?"
"It's calming down now, but I wouldn't mind a kiss?" JJ descends on my mouth like it's the only proper way to apologize. And damn, do I forgive him. I break away, breathless once again. "And a massage?"
My batting eyelashes droop into pleasure when he nips my bottom lip. "I'll give you a massage tonight. No need to pout."
"Jesus," Marc breathes out, holding a cracked egg over the frying pan. Leo grips the spatula like a fucking promise.
"Kay. Wow. Well, I came here for a reason, so can we move on?"
Leo clears his throat, sprinkling cheese into their eggs. "What's up, Gabby?"
Her bob sways with her dramatic fall into the chair beside me. "I need you guys to take Rylee out and get her a drink or something." I straighten in my chair at her tired sigh. "I feel like she's closing herself off again. I know you guys have been giving her space to reconnect with her brother, and that's great, but I think she's using the time apart to lock her shield in place. You know, before she leaves in a couple weeks."
JJ rumbles against my back, sending shivers down my arms. "What do you mean she's closing herself off?"
"I mean, JJ, that she reminds me of the cold Rylee that we first met. Her smiles are dimming, and she hardly talks to me anymore. Layla has been clingier than ever with me. I think the poor girl is holding on as tight as she can so she doesn't have to leave."
"Why didn't you say anything sooner?" Leo sounds half frantic, half pissed.
Taking a sip of her coffee, Gabby shoots him a glare. "I thought she might just be putting all of her energy into Tate and Layla. But the little miss told me yesterday that her mommy is sad, and it about ripped my fucking heart out. Can you please take her out and woo my girl or something? Maybe add incentives to make her stay?"
We were fools to give Rylee space.
ChapterTwenty-Nine
RYLEE
I'm doing it again. Tormenting myself with people’s opinions. I'm all for freedom of speech, but these reviews are just mean. A lump of anxiety forms in my throat, and I don't even know why. It's not like I can convince anyone to like my work, nor can I change the plot line around one personal preference. I wouldn't even know how to begin because one person loves an aspect that another hates and vice versa.
"Mommy! I think Gabby's here!"
Quickly swiping my tears, I stand and make my way to the front door. She wanted to come over for a glass of wine tonight, and honestly, I felt like shit enough to say yes.
I've been trying to distance myself from her since we are leaving in two weeks. The guys made it easy when they started giving me space to hang out with my brother. It was sweet, yet it also gave me an easy excuse to say we’re drifting apart.
I unlock the door when I see Gabby passing the window and move to the kitchen to pour us each a glass of wine. Bug will be going to bed soon.
I feel numb.
I've been really enjoying getting to know Tate again, but catching up and swapping stories makes my soul feel like it's suffocating. Almost like it's turning into its own beast that thrives off my issues and negativity. Which is probably why I couldn't help but look at the one-star reviews on my latest release.
I love my brother. But seeing him again has brought the worst moments of my life to the forefront of my mind. For Layla and my baby brother, I will smile. I know Bug has been picking up on my depressed state. I just... I don't know. Life is a checklist again.
