Page 49 of Waiting for Acceptance (Nashville Nights #5)

LAUREN

Leave it to my precious godson to make it known in the first five minutes of Fitz being introduced to my friends that he, at one time, made me cry.

Not only that but that Tank knows about it and called him a bastard for it.

Oh my gosh, this is literally the worst thing that could have happened tonight.

No, maybe not. Hendrix could have come up kicking him in the shins, so I guess that’s a win.

I was sure Fitz would want to leave, and probably ask me what the hell that was about, but the fact that he wants to stay? I’m not quite sure what to make of that. I’m practically pinching the shit out of the inside of my thigh worrying about it.

“Lauren, what is going on?” He grabs my hand and I turn to face him.

“I hate it when you call me that,” I mumble, hearing him laugh.

“Sorry, Sweetheart.” I glare at him because he knows that’s not much better. “What is going on?” His brow furrows and I shrug.

“Nothing.”

“Nothing? Well, I don’t think being called a bastard by a six?”

“Seven,” I correct.

“Seven-year-old really qualifies as nothing . Start talking.” I exhale shakily, wishing more than anything Tank hadn’t seen how upset I was that day.

This could have all been avoided had I just had a little better grip on my emotions.

Which I thought I did, but clearly my friends can see right through me.

“The day Tank came to pick me up from work, was the same day I overheard you on the phone talking about the acquisition.” A look of realization washes over him, but I continue when he says nothing.

“While I thought I was hiding my emotions pretty well when I left the office, Tank knew something was wrong. It wasn’t until you and I became ‘ official’ that I overheard him telling Ruby he wasn’t sure he trusted you, simply because he knew that something happened while I was in your office that day, and it hurt me. ” He nods, taking in the information.

“Did you tell him it was a misunderstanding?”

“Yeah, I told him everything I could to make him understand. I’m sure Hendrix’s comment has to do with something Tank said about you before I set the record straight, I just…

I hate this. I hate that Hendrix thinks you made me cry, I hate that Tank saw me upset that day, and I hate that the first night you met my friends it ended up like this!

All because I couldn’t just tough it up about something as dumb as my job.

” Tears sting my eyes and my voice is starting to crack.

“Look at me.” He holds my face in his hands, wiping a fallen tear with the pad of his thumb.

“I am so sorry that something I was involved with hurt you. You had every right to be upset that day, and you didn’t do anything wrong by reacting, do you hear me?

You’re allowed to care about your job, and the jobs of your co-workers, and be upset about thinking they would lose them.

You’re allowed to be pissed at me for not telling you about the acquisition—even though legally I wasn’t supposed to.

” I let out a small laugh at that. “You are allowed to feel whatever the hell you want to feel, and you have nothing to apologize for.” I smile at him and his face morphs into something a little more playful.

“So what if Tank and his son think I’m a bastard that made you cry?

I was a bastard for making you cry, but they’re not the ones that I’m worried about proving myself to.

They’ll come around when they see just how important you are to me, and realize I would never do anything to hurt you. ” I shake my head and he smiles.

“Now, let’s get back in there and show them just how awesome I really am.” I laugh so loud I catch the attention of Riley, who had been further out in the yard somewhere. She comes running up to us and Fitz jerks a little.

“Do not tell me you’re scared of dogs,” I tease him.

“Just the ones that move like ninjas, where the hell did this one come from?” He starts looking around and I laugh again.

“This is Riley, she’s Max’s service dog.” I pet behind her ears and she lays her head in my lap.

“I think I saw her at the bar before.”

I smile, thinking of Riley and Maverick’s booth. “You definitely did. It was either her or Maverick, Tank’s dog.”

“You said she’s a service dog? What for?” I look up at him and smile.

“Let’s go inside and he can tell you himself.” He kisses my temple and we head back inside.

The rest of the night goes off without a hitch, and I couldn’t be happier that Fitz wanted to stay.

The guys hang out around the island talking about all of their occupations, Max and Tucker tell the story about how they enlisted in the Navy together and were able to serve on the same SEAL team, Tank tells him briefly about his experience in the Marine’s, completely beaming when he starts talking about The Veterans Center he now runs with Asher—a guy he served with in special ops.

Sawyer claims his occupation sounds boring in comparison, making Fitz agree about his life in real estate.

“Okay, quit hogging the new guy, we want to know about him too,” Taylor yells as the guys start cutting up about something.

“You might just want to talk to your husband about his life some more, mine pales in comparison.” Fitz comes over, standing behind my chair, playing with a few strands of my hair.

“Well, then tell me all about your boring life. We need to get to know our bestie’s new man.” I look up at him and smile, and he winks at me.

“Alright then. What do you want to know?”

Taylor taps her chin. “Hmmm. Where did you grow up?”

“New York.” He sounds like he’s ready for a round of rapid-fire questions, which is definitely a possibility with this group.

“Damn, you’ve lived there your whole life?” Ruby asks from where she now stands next to Tank.

“Yep. Born and raised.”

“Did you always want to go into real estate?” Shane asks next.

He sucks air in through his teeth. “Uh, I always knew I would end up in real estate.”

“Oh, he so wanted to be a cowboy or an astronaut or something.” Taylor laughs, picking up on the way Fitz answered, and everyone joins in—Fitz included.

“I definitely wouldn’t have chosen to go to college for business, marketing, and accounting degrees. But hey, at least I am not lacking in wall decorations for my office.”

Max snorts and takes a sip of his beer. “Yeah, fuck that. I’d do two more tours before going through all that shit.”

“Do you travel a lot for work?” Leah asks, turning back to face Fitz.

He slowly nods. “ All the time.”

“Do you enjoy it? I would imagine it would be exhausting having to travel all the time. For fun, it’s worth it, but for work, it sounds…taxing.”

“Eh, it can be. There are some weeks I’d rather chew off my own arm than get on another plane, but, I don’t know.” He shrugs, looking down at me. “Some assignments are better than others.”

“So what is it you do? I would assume you’re not selling houses across the country, that would take like…a lot of different licenses, right?” Shane is squirming in her seat and I would bet my morning coffee that her ass has fallen asleep.

Fitz clears his throat and when I look up at him he’s giving me a concerned look.

Oh, shit. Right.

“He’s an acquisitions manager, as well as an agent in New York,” I answer for him.

“Acquisitions manager?” Taylor frowns. “Wait, is that why you’re at Coleson?”

“He’s legally not allowed to talk about it, but yes.

The Fitzgerald Firm is buying out Coleson from Jack and Barbara.

They need to sell to be able to retire without going bankrupt—and I trust that this information stays in this group.

” Everyone agrees, zipping their lips, nodding, or giving carefree shrugs—as if to say who am I gonna tell ?

“Wow. It’s so crazy to think that if Jack and Barbara never decided to sell you two would have never met.” Leah smiles and my cheeks grow red when I feel Fitz’s eyes on me.

“Isn’t it?” he agrees, and I know I’m in for an ear full when we leave here.

“Okay, my ass is falling asleep in this chair. Let’s move this party to the living room, shall we?” Shane stands up, shifting back and forth on her feet.

Ha! I freaking knew it.

I stand up to follow, and a cold chill shoots down my spine and my mouth begins to water.

Shit, I’m about to throw up.

“Uh, actually guys, I think we’re going to head out.” Fitz wraps his arm around me and everyone turns to face us.

Ruby’s face is full of concern when she faces me. “Oh, no! Lu, you look like shit.”

“Well, at least we know where Hendrix gets his truth-telling abilities from.” I laugh, making her roll her eyes.

“Do you need anything? You need me to give her a ride?” Ruby looks at Fitz for his response.

“Nah. My car is still at the bar, I’ll drive hers and get her home.”

“Okay. Call us if you need anything but we know she’s in good hands.” Shane smiles at us and I offer a small one in return before the nausea returns.

“Let’s go, Trouble.” Fitz kisses my forehead, then waves to everyone. “It was really great meeting everyone.”

There are multiple voices telling us bye, telling Fitz it was nice to meet him, and proclamations being made to do this again soon, and no matter how sick I feel right now, that brings a smile to my face.