“Darcy,” he greeted my friend just before pulling up the chair at my side and sitting in close. “We still on for tonight?” I tried not to shiver with excitement when he kissed the side of my neck.
“Tonight?” Darcy asked with a gleam in her eye.
I felt Jay laugh with his lips pressed to my neck.
“Head out of the gutter, Darce,” though I was sure that would follow a little later in our evening. I’d never in my wildest dreams imagine being with a man could be such a life-changing event every single time. I loved being in Jay’s arms, loved the way he held me, kissed me, and moved his body with mine. “We have a cookout at Megan’s parents’ house for her little brother Toby’s birthday.”
I’d heard so much about Toby from the guys in the house. He was like their adopted brother. Xavier and Morgan were so protective of him but truth was I think that any of them would hurt anyone who tried to hurt Toby.
And then there was the little girl that I’d seen Corbin with often, Leah. Her daddy was lost in a motorcycle accident while Corbin watched it all go down and he’d been in her life consistently ever since.
From the outside the guys in the fraternity looked like nothing more than a bunch of knucklehead drunken boys who needed to grow up, and yes, some of them were. But then seeing them with Toby and Leah, and even with Emelie’s son, Ethan. Those moments alone proved that hidden beneath the college life persona were men who had huge hearts. I felt so lucky to be a part of it all.
***
I didn’t miss the way Jay’s brothers have chanced glances in our direction all night. The knowing smirks they’ve tossed at him when they thought I wasn’t looking, but not once did he falter. He kept me close, holding my hand, throwing his arm over my shoulder, even kissed me when he’d gotten the chance. And each and every single time I accepted them all.
I knew I hadn’t told him yet but I did love him. Heck, I think I’d loved him from the beginning, but I’d spent so many years never expressing my feelings. I’m not good at it, I guess I’m just scared of rejection. Scared of feeling and then losing, and Jay was someone I never wanted to lose.
Jay had given more of a sense of belonging than my own father had in my entire life.
“It looks good on the both of you.” Blake took a seat next to mine and leaned back holding a big glass of tea in one hand. “I really like seeing him smile the way he does when you’re near. He’s always been the quiet guy, the one no one can figure out, one that is hard to read. But now, it’s like the real Jay is front and center and I know that’s because of you.”
I took in a slow, deep breath, knowing that he had done the same for me.
“He smiles more, he laughs more, and I just wanted to say that love looks good on both of you.”
It’s then that I looked at her, I mean truly looked at her. She was a beautiful girl, so small but mighty.
“I wasn’t always willing to let myself be loved. It was hard for me, hard to accept that there was someone who could love me and want to be with me. After I lost my father, I was left with nothing more than a selfish bitch of a mother who felt like I owed her something. It wasn’t until I met Elijah and this crowd that I understood it wasn’t always your blood family who loved you the most. This group, they are without a doubt the most loyal and yes, they are crazy and unpredictable, but will always be there for you when you need them the most. I’m glad Jay found you. Something tells me that you could use that.” Was I that transparent? “Love him, and let yourself be loved, it’s one of the most amazing feelings.”
I was unable to speak. I only nodded just before she stood up and walked away.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Jay
“I’m here to see Dean Richards.” The woman sitting behind the desk looked up at me and bit down on the tip of her pen. I stood before her giving her the moment she needed to look me over. But it wasn’t like she was attempting to determine if I was the bad guy, no, it was more like she was imagining doing things to me that she shouldn’t be imagining. Pulling her pen away, she licked her lips and pushed her chest out a little more. The V-neck shirt she wore allowed a little too much of a visual and I was able to see the side contour of her tits.
Frankly all I could do was compare this woman to my girl and there was no fucking way she held a candle to Ruby. My girl was perfect.
“Is he expecting you?”
“No, but I figured showing up here instead of at his home would be better.”
For weeks I’d wanted to go over to this dick’s house and gather all the things I knew she left behind in her rush to leave her home. Things that belonged to her
