Page 38 of Wake Me Up (New England Bay Sharks #5)

“Yeah, I think that’s what they both just said, Dumb and Dumber,” Aviana mumbles, shaking her head at her brothers before propping her chin up on her hand and smiling at us. “So … you were saying?”

Freya glances nervously at me. It’s not like we can tell them the truth as to why we got married in the first place. They may tell someone, and then we’d be at risk of getting in trouble. So, instead, we choose a different approach.

“For adult reasons that I can’t really tell you, Tripp and I decided last month that we should get married.

We would have told you, but it was very complicated, and I didn’t want to cause any distress to you three.

” Freya’s eyes fill with tears, and her body trembles.

“You three are my whole life, and I would never ever, ever want to do something that hurt you. That is the only reason why we kept it to ourselves.”

“So … did you love each other when you got married?” Cane asks the question, and I can feel Freya tense up beside me.

Freya and I glance at each other, as if trying to send a secret message and decide what the hell to say to that.

Pulling in a deep breath, Freya sighs. “It’s complicated, baby. But … no. When we first got married, Tripp was just kind enough to help out our family by agreeing to be my husband.”

“What about now?” Cane throws back. “Do you love each other now?”

The corner of Cash’s mouth turns up in a knowing smirk, and Freya’s hands clasp together.

“Well …”

“They do,” Aviana chimes in. “Tripp told me so. At least, he told me he loves Mom.” She shifts her eyes from her mother’s to mine, wiggling her brows. “And helllllo … it’s pretty obvious Mom loves him back.”

I don’t know whether to hide behind one of Freya’s many throw pillows or smile because this is all happening so fucking fast, and I just hope the kids really are okay with it .

Freya fights a grin, sweeping her gaze over her kids. “Okay, it’s officially way past your bedtime. So, does anyone have any more questions before you all haul your little butts upstairs?”

Aviana shakes her head, but Cane and Cash look unfinished with the conversation. They share a few indecisive glances with each other, but it’s Cane who pipes back up.

“Are you going to move in with us?” His eyes widen. “Or are we going to move in with you?”

I signal Freya with a side-eye because I don’t want to take this question, not when I don’t have the answer.

“Not right now,” she answers. “It’s sort of like Tripp and I have just begun dating, even though we’re legally married.” She sits forward. “So, think of it like this … we still have a lot of steps before we move in together. Okay?”

“If you’re married, does that make you our new dad?” Aviana blurts the words out, and instantly, the boys tense up.

I glance at Freya, as if silently asking for her permission to say something to them, and she must read me like a book because she gives me a subtle nod.

“Look, you guys … I know I’ll never replace your father. I’ll never want to either. He will always be your dad, no matter what. But if you give me a chance to be a part of your lives, I’ll be forever grateful. And even though I’ll make mistakes, I promise to always try my best.”

Again, the boys share a look before both of them give me a small grin and a nod of their heads. They don’t say anything, but when they both come over to shake my hand, I stand up and take their hand in mine as relief washes through me.

Once they both back away before turning around and leaving the room, Aviana is next to walk in front of me, and she throws her arms around my neck.

“I’m so glad that you married my mommy,” she whispers, squeezing me tighter. “Good night, Tripp.”

“Night, sweetie,” I murmur just as she pulls away and heads upstairs, leaving just me and Freya in the silence.

The silence doesn’t last long, and soon, her body turns toward me, and she narrows her eyes playfully. “So … you told Avy that you love me? ”

“I did.” I bob my head up and down.

“And you … you meant it?” she peeps. “That you love me?”

“Love you, in love with you,” I utter, smirking. “Same difference, right?” I take her hand in mine, winking. “Avy says you love me too, FYI.”

She’s full-on chewing her lip now, her cheeks turning an adorable crimson red.

“Did she now?” Her eyes shift between mine, and she’s silent. “Well … she has always been good at telling the truth,” she whispers. “And … she’s right.”

“Yeah?” I breathe out, my heart pounding in my chest. “You sayin’ you love me, darlin’?”

Her smile widens. “Love you … in love with you. Same difference, right?”

“I guess so,” I drawl.

Sliding my hand to her nape, I bring our mouths together, kissing her hard.

I know I can’t take her to her bed and show her how much I really do love her because that’s a bed she shared with a man she thought she was going to spend her life with.

So, I don’t push it. Instead, I kiss her again before pulling back.

“I wish you could stay.” She seems conflicted.

“At least for a while so I could help out with the situation going on in your pants, but I feel—” She stops, looking down.

“I feel weird, being here, in a house I shared with Jamie. A house that holds so many memories with him, you know? Plus, it’ll be our first time together. ” She cringes. “I’m sorry.”

I clutch her chin, pressing my lips to her cheek.

“Freya, you have nothing to apologize for.” I move my hands to hers, holding them.

“I’ll wait as long as you need. I’m all in when it comes to you.

” I kiss the corner of her mouth before I pull back and wink in an attempt to lighten the mood.

“As long as I can sext you, I’ll be a happy man. ”

“Consider it a deal,” she says sweetly, standing on her tiptoes and brushing her lips to mine.

“Just so you know … I’m not going back to work for at least another week, and tomorrow, my mom is coming over to stay with the kids while I run some errands.

Will you be home? I’d love to come see you.

” Mischief covers her face. “And who knows? Maybe I’ll even be naked. ”

“Well, in that case, fucking right I will be home,” I say, my cock twitching, just imagining her showing up naked at my house.

Grazing her fingertips under the waistband of my briefs, she bites down on her lip. “In that case, see you tomorrow, big guy.”

I pull her against me, kissing her neck. “Yeah, and you can be reminded of how big I am,” I growl against her flesh before dragging my tongue against her skin.

She lets out a sound that’s a mix of a moan and a giggle before she steps back. “I’ll walk you to the door,” she says, smirking.

And as I follow her to the door, my brain can hardly function because all I’m thinking about is her coming to my house tomorrow. And I fully intend to take her to my bed.