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“Did children tease you?”

“Tons.”

“How do we stop that from happening?”

I took a deep breath. I wanted more than anything to advocate for Joey, having been in her position, but I also didn’t want to insert myself where I wasn’t welcome. “Listen to Joey. See what she feels comfortable with. Yes, she’s still young, but you’ve raised a wonderful child, Gideon.”

He swallowed. “I appreciate you talking to me about it. I’m honestly not sure how I feel. We knew that Joey would need a female influence in her life eventually, but we didn’t want someone to come along who would just vanish out of her life and hurt her more…”

I placed my hand on his arm. “Gideon, look at me. I don’t give a flying rat’s ass about whatever disagreements I have with you three. Everything that happened over the last few days means nothing in this conversation. Even if you fuck me over and I hate you…When it comes to her? I’ll be there as a friend whenever she needs me. I needed that more than anything when I was a child and hated that I never had it. I don’t want to leave here and go back to my family. I keep telling them I will, but every day I realize more and more how much I love it here. So, for as long as Joey needs a friend, I’m here.”

“You really mean that, don’t you?”

“I went to a few too many mother-daughter events alone…That shit is scarring, and I refuse to let that happen to her. I know that may anger you, but I?—”

My words were cut off as I was hauled against Gideon, my body pressed against his as he pulled me in for a bone-crushing hug.

“Thank you,” he muttered in a choked whisper, his face buried in my hair.

I giggled. “You’re stuck with me for as long as Joey wants me.”

Chapter 24

Jensen

The whole week dragged by so slowly.

We spent the better part of the week planning the perfect date. An outdoor concert where there would be plenty of food trucks.

There was a little of everything to do, and we had organized for Joey to have a sleepover with her best friend, so we had the entire evening to ourselves.

“Do you think she’ll like it?” I asked as I changed my T-shirt for the tenth time.

“It looks like a really good event. I’m sure we’ll all find something we enjoy,” Gideon said as he stood, leaning against my doorframe.

Glancing at the mirror again, I grimaced. Nothing seemed good enough. “I can’t believe I’m nervous.” I laughed. “It seems silly. I never get like this.”

“We’re all a little anxious. It’s because we really like her. We haven’t pursued someone as a group for years.”

“She’s…fuck, she’s something special,” I muttered. Gideon had told me how Bethany was firm in wanting to be there forJoey, and if anything, that made me even more obsessed with her somehow.

From a distance, the sound of the door opening and closing grabbed our attention.

I grinned at Gideon. “Showtime.”

We both headed downstairs, pausing when we saw the sight in the doorway. Cullen and Bethany were wet—and not the fun kind.

“Shit, is it raining?” I asked. Bethany’s hair fell in soggy tendrils around her face, and her clothing was sticking to her like a second skin, making my cock perk up.

“No, we just decided we wanted a dip in a lake,” Cullen said sarcastically, making Bethany giggle.

“It’s pouring,” she told me, scrunching her nose adorably.

Fuck.

Well, that was going to be a problem.

“Why the long face?” Beth asked. Her eyes widened. “Am I dressed okay?” She looked down at herself as we joined her in the entrance hall. “Sorry I’m drenched. I couldn’t find my umbrella.”