Page 156 of Too Far

Kendrick’s smooth reply.

Kylian’s matter-of-fact retort.

Then Josephine.

Her voice carries above them all, enthusiastic and melodic, sassy and self-assured.

I love her.

I love them.

This is what it’s all for.

They file into the tight space, Locke and Kendrick both conveniently avoiding my gaze.

As they get closer, I note a few displaced tendrils of Josephine’s hair and the way she’s tugging at the neckline of her dress, as if she’s putting it back in place.

Kylian’s smirk is all the confirmation I need.

I don’t have time to scold them for sneaking in a quickie. Even if I did, I can’t blame them. Stress levels are at an all-time high for all of us. Hell, I wish I could blow off some steam with our girl right about now, too.

Josephine steps up and winds her arm through mine.

“Ready?” she asks as she peers up at me, all doe-eyed and sweet like she wasn’t just getting tag-teamed by my brothers in the bathroom down the hall.

Shaking my head, I lock my jaw tight and tamp down my jealousy. I’m trying so damn hard to communicate with her, to be vulnerable and express myself when I can, instead of bottling it up and stewing in my own frustrations.

“I was worried you weren’t coming,” I confess.

“Cap,” she scolds softly. “I would never abandon you. I keep my promises.”

Her words smack into me like an insult, even if they weren’t meant to be. I’ll forever regret what I put her through, but I’m trying not to live in the past. I’m ready to live in the now.

Turning my head, I crack my neck and blow out a breath, but it doesn’t relieve the tension radiating through every fiber of my being. It’s so acute my muscles bunch and revolt against this damn suit in a way I worry will split a seam.

Josephine pulls her arm away.

Before I can reach for her, pull her back in, tell her I need the comfort of her touch, she’s turning toward the others.

“Hey, guys. Can you give us a minute?”

The boys murmur their agreement and file out, leaving us in the wings of the stage with nothing but the hum of the unseen crowd beyond the curtains.

She turns back to me and walks right into my space, loops her arms around my neck, and pushes up on tiptoes.

I snatch her waist and pull her closer, so damn grateful for the way she always knows just what I need. “A minute, huh?”

“Mm-hmm.” She nods, smiling. She’s so close I can practically taste the fruity notes of her lip gloss. “One minute, Cap.”

She rests her forehead on mine and lets me hold her. Her fingertips find the hair at my nape, then she’s pulling me so close our bodies are flush together. A perfect fit.

I hug her fiercely, holding on with everything I am, pouring out everything I hope to be.

I nuzzle into her neck, and she lets me. She scratches up and down my spine through my suit jacket, the caresses hypnotic and comforting.

Somehow, despite the reality of where we are and what’s about to happen, she makes me forget it all.

It’s just us.