Page 82 of Fourteen of a Kind

Grace walked over. “Simon, we have a problem.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Nora caught Jack with another girl. Things got physical.”

“What? Did he lay his hands on her?” Simon asked.

“No. She laid her hands on him. Apparently, when she caught him with this other girl, she grabbed him, threw him to the ground, and punched him. He told her he’s pressing assault charges against her.”

“He’s not pressing shit. Sebastian, Sam, Shaun, Stefan, let’s go.” Simon stood up. “We need to smack some sense into that guy.”

“Oh boy.” Sam sighed.

“Do you know where he lives?” Shaun asked.

“I know everything about that loser.” Simon smiled.

“If you need Kate, let me know.” Grayson grinned.

CHAPTER 26

Ella

I lay in Graham’s arms, our bodies wrapped around each other. My head lay on his chest while my fingers softly stroked his skin.

“You’re coming to Riley’s wedding this weekend, right?”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” His lips pressed against the top of my head.

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Of course, babe.”

“The night I was at your apartment and the fireworks were going off. It’s a trigger, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, it is. Every time I hear them, I have flashbacks to hearing my father’s gun go off.”

“What do you do on the Fourth of July?” I lifted my head and looked at him.

“I take a pill and drink myself to sleep.”

“I’m sorry.” I kissed his lips.

“Don’t be. It’s my own fault for not getting the proper help I’ve needed all these years. But all that’s changing now.” He softly stroked my hair. “What time do you have to be at the hospital tomorrow?”

“I have the next three days off because of the wedding.”

“Lucky you.” He grinned. “I’ll miss seeing you there tomorrow.”

“You can always pack a bag and spend the next three nights here.”

“I’d love that.” He rolled me on my back and hovered over me. “You make me happy, Ella.” His lips met mine.

When Graham’s alarm went off, I got up with him and went downstairs to make us some coffee. Grabbing the cups, I set his coffee on the bathroom counter upstairs. When the shower turned off, I grabbed a towel and handed it to him.

“I made you some coffee.”

“You’re the best.” He leaned in and kissed my lips.

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