Page 38

Ellie

When I wake the next morning, I’m met with the warmth of his heavy arm wrapped around my waist. The steady rhythm of his shallow breathing tells me he’s not yet awake. The feel of his closeness and being snuggled in tight next to him has my mind spinning with endless unanswered questions.

Are we dating now? A couple?

Do I move all my stuff into his room or stay in mine?

Everything about these past twenty-four hours has been a complete whirlwind. I’m still trying to process everything that has happened—everything I thought I knew. All the things that I thought were true, I now know were nothing but lies.

All fucking lies.

And I have nobody else to blame but my sister .

My own damn sister of all people. I knew she was petty, but I didn’t know she would go to this extreme.

In the midst of my spiraling thoughts, my head spinning with questions, Jaydon shifts behind me. Then I feel his arms tighten around me, and I know he's awake.

How did I ever go this long resisting this man?

His nose rubs the length of my ear, causing a shiver to run the length of my spine. “Morning, Peachy,” he murmurs, his voice low and husky, right before pressing a soft, lingering kiss to the side of my neck.

A smile instantly lights up my face. His rough morning voice is so sexy, and when I turn in his arms to face him, my breath hitches at the sight.

This man, I don’t know what I would have done without him. He’s been my anchor amongst the chaos this entire time, without me even realizing. He's gone out of his way to take care of me, and I’ve held so much hatred towards him, all due to my sister .

How could she do this to me?

I don’t know how I'll ever forgive her for this betrayal. I know I need to have a talk with her at some point, but I’m not ready for that yet.

I need time to process and get my thoughts together because I know deep down, every fight between us only ends up hurting our mother.

One day, I'll tell her exactly what she did to me, but for now, I need to heal. I need to move past the chaos of the last few months of my life and focus on the future… although I’m unsure of what that looks like.

But I know—as I lie here in Jaydon's arms—one thing for sure: he has to be part of it. With his strength and support, even through all my crazy shit, I know he’s the man I’m supposed to be with.

Shifting slightly, I glance up at him, “Does this feel weird, Jay?”

He pushes my hair gently away from my face as he replies, “Does what feel weird?” his voice is so soft and calming, while his eyes search my face.

I hesitate, suddenly feeling silly for even asking, “Lying here in the bed with me… after I slept in your bed all night?”

His face morphs into shock, his brows furrowing as he looks at me like I've said the most ridiculous thing. “Not fucking hardly.” He says, unable to hide his smirk.

I’m relieved at his answer, but then another question pops into my head, and I can't help myself when I ask, “Well, do you still hate me?” I’m almost scared to hear his answer, knowing all the shit I’ve put him through lately.

He rolls his eyes at my question and laughs. “No, Peachy, I've never hated you.” Then he presses a kiss to my forehead. When he pulls back, his eyes tighten, “Why are you smiling at me like that? ”

Heat floods my cheeks as I bite my lip before admitting the truth. “Because I might just like you calling me that now.” I shrug as a shy smile spreads across my face.

“Peachy? I thought you hated it?”

I shake my head. “No, I was just pissed at you and thought you were using me. Jay, I thought you were fucking around with me and my sister both this entire time.”

His face softens, and he reaches for me, gently cupping my face. “Dammit, Baby, please listen to me. It was only you—only ever you. I never wanted anyone else but you. I was going out of my mind every fucking time you went out with that so-called boyfriend of yours.”

My heart melts at his admission, and I fully believe him… because I feel the same.

“Just so you know, I was never with him—sexually.” I drag a finger down his bare chest. “I was never attracted to him in that way.”

His entire body tenses under the touch of my finger.

“Fuck. Let’s not talk about that shit anymore. Nothing in the past matters, Baby, because you're mine now.” He pulls me in and kisses my forehead.

I giggle at his antics, my heart warming in the process.

Then I pull back, my face turning serious. “Jay, I want you to know, this entire time… I was only ever yours.”

Then his lips crash into mine.

Jaydon

Ellie and I spent the entire day snuggled up in bed.

Well, maybe we did a little more than just snuggling.

Now we're heading over to my sister's house. Ellie is bursting at the seams to tell her about us, though I don’t think this will come as a huge surprise. I’m pretty sure she's suspected something all along.

When we pull into the driveway, I kill the engine and glance over at Ellie. “Hang tight. I’ll get your door.”

Her face lights up. “How’d I ever get so lucky? Such a gentleman,” she teases with a sparkle in her eyes.

I smirk. “Wait till we get back home—I'll show you just how much of a gentleman I can be.”

I wink, and she bites down on her bottom lip with a huge grin lighting up her face.

After she slides out, I shut the door behind her and pull her into my side, grabbing a handful of her juicy ass. She swats my shoulder, pulling away with a giggle.

“Jaydon, stop it! What if they're looking out the window? ”

I chuckle and pull her back in, whether she wants me to or not. “Babe, seriously… we're about to tell them we're together. Who gives a fuck if they see?”

“I know, but this is like… real.”

I reach for her hand and lift it to my lips, kissing her knuckles. “Yeah, Peachy—it's real. Get used to it. You’re stuck with me now.”

The front door swings open.

Ryan stands there, taking in the sight of our interlocked fingers. He doesn’t even greet us. He just stands there, complete shock written all over his face.

“Well, it’s about damn time,” He finally mutters.

I roll my eyes. “Just let us in the fucking house, man.”

Ellie scoffs, letting go of my hand. “Oh, stop it, Ryan. Just let me in—I need to find your wife.” Then she pushes past him in search of Haleigh.

Once she’s out of sight, I step into the foyer. Ryans still wearing a big-ass grin on his face.

I shake my head, already knowing what's coming. “Man, what the hell are you smiling at me like that for?”

We both burst out laughing.

“Because you put me through all the bullshit with your sister, so it’s only fair if I do the same shit to you.”

“Fuck you, man.” I walk through, nudging his shoulder with a side eye, “Ellie's not your sister.”

He shrugs. “Hmm, I bet she will end up being my sister- in-law, though.”

My eyes snap to his. Not because I’m pissed at him, but because he couldn’t have been more spot on.

I’m fucking in love with this girl.

Obsessed is more like it.

I don’t respond, so he continues, “You know your sister is going to want you to marry Ellie now, right?”

I chuckle, unable to hide the smile on my face at the excitement of hearing him mention me marrying Ellie. “Yeah, I’m fully prepared for my sister's wrath, but I might not need too much convincing to marry that girl.”

“You’re fucking in love with Ellie.” He states as his eyes go wide.

It's not a question. And I don’t respond.

I shake my head, brushing him off. “Come on, man, where the hell’s my sister?” And I head for the living room.

Ellie

My eyes snap to Jaydon and Ryan walking into the living room. Haleigh looks up from the rocker, clearly surprised.

“Hey, Jay… I didn’t know you were coming by today. ”

“Am I not allowed to come visit my sister anymore?” Jaydon teases, his voice light but actually seems nervous, which is not like him at all.

He walks up to her, kissing Ryleigh Grace's head like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

“Did you guys ride together?”

I can already see the wheels spinning in her head.

I look to Jay, nodding, silently letting him take the lead. Ryan just stands there grinning like an idiot, while Jaydon glances between him and Haleigh, then back over at me.

“Alright, lets fucking get this over with.”

In three strides, he's in my face, gripping the sides of my head, and crashes his lips to mine.

My breath catches—completely caught off guard.

When he pulls back, I blink up at him, flustered. “Jaydon!” I scold him, smacking his chest. I’m mostly teasing… but damn, he could have eased into the matter.

Ryan bursts out laughing like a fucking schoolgirl while Haleigh stares at us from her rocker in complete open-mouthed shock.

“What the hell is going on? You two hate each other!”

Jaydon pulls me into his side. “No, I never hated Ellie…” he tips his head towards me. “She hated me.”

“Oh my gosh, Jaydon,” I groan, elbowing him. “Would you stop it? ”

“What? Peachy, just tell them. Let's get this whole thing over with so we can go back home, and I can have my way with you.”

I slap his chest again and flop down onto the couch, burying my face in my hands. “Oh my god, Jay!”

But my cheeks hurt from smiling already.

Haleigh speaks up, still totally confused. “Why the hell did you just call her Peachy?” Jaydon’s face lights up with mischief. “You know what? Don’t answer that.” She shakes her head, holding her hand up, stopping her brother from answering. “But I need to know. When the hell did this happen?”

“Uh... officially?” I look up at Jaydon.

“Spill it, Ells,” Haleigh says, leaning into the conversation now.

I cringe a little inside. “Last night.” I shrug, not really wanting to air all of our business to them.

She turns to Ryan, “Wait, did you know about this already?”

“Babe, he only recently told me he had feelings for her. I have no idea about anything else.”

Haleigh stands, handing the baby off to Ryan. “Here, hold her. I have to go scream in excitement with my bestie.”

Then she runs to me, wrapping me up in the best hug ever .

“Ells! I knew this would happen! My best friend and my brother—oh my gosh! We're gonna be sister-in-laws!” She squeals, jumping up and down.

My smile is so big it hurts.

My gaze cuts to Jaydon, trying to see if he heard that last part.

He steps closer, gently prying us apart, and wrapping his arm around me. “Alright, Hales. Give her back. She’s mine now.”

“Oh no, you don’t, mister. She was mine first, and we’re about to go have a girls-only talk. So you need to leave us alone.”

Jaydon grins, “I’m not so sure you want to hear about all the things I do to your friend.”

“Eww, stop!” Haleigh quickly reaches up, trying to cover his mouth, “Don’t tell me that kind of stuff, Jaydon!”

He quickly moves, pulling back.

I giggle. Surely, my face is bright red. “Jay, you're embarrassing me!”

“Come on, Peachy, you know I’m just messing around. The things we do…” he pauses, his smirk spreading, and pulls me into a hug, “are only for me to fantasize about.”

“Jay!” I gasp, covering my face again, and he laughs like the cocky asshole he is.

But he's mine.

Ryan bursts out laughing .

“God, you’re so gross,” Haleigh groans, making a sour face. “I'm gonna need to bleach my brain after this.”

Jaydon just chuckles, completely unbothered, and drops a kiss to the top of my head. “Sorry, Hales. Get used to it.” He adds.

“Whatever. As long as you’re happy. But you just better treat my bestie right, or you will have to deal with us both.” She points a finger in his direction.

Then she loops her arm through mine, pulling me towards the kitchen like it’s the most urgent thing in the world. “Come on, I need all the details. Starting from the moment you realized you couldn’t resist my brother.”

“So, you want the sex parts too?” I tease quietly so only she can hear, knowing she's going to hate me for asking. But she should be used to my craziness by now.

I giggle, glancing over my shoulder at Jaydon, who just smirks like he knows exactly what I’m doing. “Peachy.” He warns, amusement hinting in his tone. “Don’t fucking tell my sister that shit.”

Haleigh and I talk nonstop, our laughter filling the kitchen, as I tell her about all of her brothers and my shenanigans—leaving out the filthy, amazing sex parts, of course. There’s a newfound glow around me, around us. A deeper sense of happiness I never knew existed.

Eventually, Jaydon pops his head around the corner, leaning casually against the doorframe with that sexy, smug look that I love.

“You about done with your girl talk?” He asks, eyebrows raised. “I’m ready to take my girl home.” He jerks his head towards the door. “Let's head out, Peachy.”

My heart does that little flutter again, and I need no convincing. I’m ready for this sexy fucking man to take me home; those tatted-up muscles are causing naughty thoughts to scream inside my head. And right now, I need him to give me more of what I’ve been missing.

I stand and pull her into a hug, “I’ll call you tomorrow,” and my body thrums in excitement, knowing what’s in store for me when we get back to Jaydon’s place.

Haleigh grins, holding a hand on her hip while pointing a teasing finger in my direction. “You better.”

My cheeks hurt from the smile I’ve had on my face all evening.

Gossiping with my bestie is the absolute best. And now, it’s even brighter when Jaydon steps closer and reaches for me, pulling me effortlessly into his side—like it’s been taking all his strength to stay away, just so I could have my time with Haleigh.

Like he just can't get enough of me… us .

And honestly, neither can I.