Page 82 of Catch

Her brows shot up in disbelief. “You’re kidding.”

“You’re amazing up there, Lox. You were in your element last night. I saw it for myself.”

“That was after I saw you there. I can’t do it alone, Miles.”

“You won’t have to,” I assured her. “No matter where we need to be, we’ll be together.”

“What about your job? Your family? Your town?”

“This is our home, Lox. When we can be here, we will. But I’d rather be anywhere you are.”

“I can’t ask you to give up your career.”

“You know why I pulled you over for going eight miles over the speed limit? I was bored. I was miserable. I love this town, but I love you more.”

“What if you get bored with me?” Her voice wavered. “Wait… you love me?”

“You know I love you,” I said with a smirk.

“But that’s the first time you’ve said it.”

“That’s twice now,” I replied, leaning in to kiss her. “And I plan on saying it way more than that, so don’t try keeping count.”

Her arms wrapped around my neck, pulling herself closer to me. “I love you too. I think I fell in love with you the moment you said my full name.”

“Well, Loxley Belle Anderson, for the record, I will never get bored with you. Life with you will never be boring.”

“I’ll make sure of that,” she laughed. “I promise to always burn your big catch.”

“Oh, hell no,” I laughed, tickling her as she tried to get away. I was tempted to pin her down and?—

The incessant knocking on my front door made us freeze. It wouldn’t stop, and I sighed, getting out of bed to grab my gun from the safe.

“Get some clothes on,” I said, pulling on a pair of sweatpants. “Let me go scare whoever it is away.”

“Is the gun necessary?” she whispered.

“It’s just to let them know to back off. You better get used to it because I’m not letting anyone near you again.”

She rolled her eyes, but I tucked the gun into the back of my waistband anyway and headed for the door. Peeking out, I expected a mob of reporters or Sam himself. Instead, I saw my entire family, with West leading the charge.

“What the fuck?” I yelled, yanking the door open. “I almost shot you.”

“That would’ve been a shame, considering I owe you a new boat,” West said dryly, strolling inside. Grams and Gramps were right behind him, followed by Easton and Jesse.

“Well,” Grams declared, throwing her hands in the air, “where is she?”

“Grams,” I sighed, “how do you even know she’s here?”

“Do you seriously think your captain bailing you out of jail in Chattanooga wasn’t going to spread through town like wildfire?” Easton laughed.

“So the whole town knows she’s here?” I groaned.

“I didn’t say that,” Easton said. “But we can put two and two together. Hard to believe you’d come back here without your girl.”

“So, where is she?” Gramps asked.

“I’m right here,” Loxley said, stepping into view with a bright smile. “He caught me again.”