AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I slid off the edge of the king-sized mattress. My legs felt heavy as I dragged them across the hall and to my room. I snorted when I saw my doorknob. I hadn’t ever replaced it. If I had, Cole would have never snuck in while I was mostly naked. My core throbbed, missing his touch already.
My stomach sank to my toes as I replayed the memories with him over the last several weeks. I hoped like hell he could take care of whoever it was that was fucking with him, then we could move on. Until he was home safe and sound, I wasn’t even going to entertain Daddy and Julia’s threat to cut me off if I stayed with Cole and the MC. Granted, those weren’t Daddy’s words, but his meaning was crystal clear.
Closing and locking my door behind me, I made my way to my closet and dumped my dirty clothes into the hamper, my phone and charger tumbling out as well. I’d forgotten Cole had packed my cell since my workout shorts didn’t have any pockets. I tapped the screen, realizing I’d missed a message. Surprised to see a text from Cole, my pulse double-timed while I opened it up.
I wanted you to have a message from me while I was gone. I love you, and I promise I’ll make my way back to you as fast as I can. Check your voicemail, baby.
With shaky hands, I located the message and tapped play. His deep, sexy tone filled the speaker.
“If you were the one gone, I would want to be able to hear your voice. So know this, Shae. I miss you already, and once I come home, I hope we can talk about our future together. I love you.”
I clutched the phone to my chest, my heart in my throat. He wanted a future with me. I grinned like a schoolgirl after her first kiss, then played the message three more times.
His voice and text were exactly what I needed. Strength pumped through my veins as I kicked the sadness to the curb. It was time to take charge of my life again, regardless of what Daddy and Julia thought.
I gathered a pair of True Religion shorts and a white crop top, then strolled to my bathroom. I’d definitely missed the space, but I would give it up in a split second for Cole. For now, I wanted to take a long, hot shower, then check with the parents to see if it was safe for the girls to come over. I needed my best friends.
Daddy and Julia agreed the group of girls could stay the night, and Zoe was the first to arrive. But, once we were in the house, unless we used the pool the next day, we were to stay put. Daddy also spoke with each girl’s parents to explain the bodyguards and ensure they were comfortable with their daughters being here. Although I thought it was a little much, I realized it was the right thing to do. If anything had happened to my friends, I would have blamed myself for the rest of my life.
* * *
The second Zoe was in the house and we were upstairs, she flung herself on my bed, the back of her hand on her forehead. “I need a threesome with those bodyguards.” She rolled on her side, giggling. “Girl, I had no idea they made men like that. I thought my tongue was going to fall out of my mouth, and I would have to scoop it off the floor.”
I giggled and sat down with her. “Vaughn’s eyes are amazing, right? You should have seen Cole when we got here and met Vaughn.”
Zoe’s lips rounded into an O. “What happened?”
I grinned, realizing it felt good to talk about him. “He pulled me next to him and practically growled at the guys.”
Zoe snickered. “He just claimed his booty.”
“Marked me with a big X,” I laughed. Our giggles settled down, and I glanced at my friend. “I liked it. I love that he’s possessive and hot and …” I bit my lower lip. “And that he loves me.”
“What?” Zoe nearly screeched as she hopped off the bed and paced the floor. “When did this happen and why haven’t you told me before now?” She narrowed her gaze, waiting for me to respond.
“It only happened this morning, so I’m telling you as soon as I can.” I couldn’t hide my silly smile. “I said that I loved him, too.”
“Damn, I’m really happy that you both got your heads out of your asses and realized what everyone else could already see.” She plopped down on the mattress, facing me. “I doubt you know the answer, but his sudden trip … is it because of what you told me? That someone is after him?”
The good feeling bubble popped, and my mood rapidly deflated. Before I could reply, my bedroom door flung open, and Dani, Isabel, and Sibyl strolled in with massive grins on their faces.
“Bitches!” Isabel said, dropping her overnight bag on my floor and running to us.
Relief flooded me as my friends arrived, and we all exchanged hugs. I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed them. I’d gone from seeing them at college every day to only a few times this summer.
Sibyl’s emerald-green eyes danced as she kissed me on the cheek, then set her duffle and handbag next to Isabel’s. “Girl, what in the hell is going on? You’ve been MIA since after Harrison’s party. If Zoe hadn’t given us a few updates, I would have filed a missing person’s report.”
“I’m so sorry. I’ll explain everything later, but first I want to know what’s going on with all of you.”
Dani hugged me, stuck her bag near the others, then sank onto the bed, crossing her tanned legs and dropping her purse on the floor. It seemed like the girls were moving forward without me, and a sharp pang of sadness stabbed me in the chest. Life hadn’t slowed down long enough for me to realize how much everything had changed.
Isabel joined us on the bed, bouncing. “Okay, I have news.”
“What are you waiting for? Spill!” I grinned, happy they were finally here.
“Remington asked me out.” Her smile was infectious.
“What?” Dani grabbed Isabel’s arm and playfully shook it. “Cole’s friend, Remington?”
