Page 87 of Always Been You

“Thanks, guys.” I look at Olivia over Emily’s head and then look back at my family. “We are. It all feels so natural. It’s amazing how she can completely read me without me saying anything. And I know that this may seem fast, butI don’t want to miss out on anything more because I didn’t take what I wanted, when I wanted it.”

Mom lets out a small laugh. “Josh, you two have loved each other from afar for years now. We have all known. We just want you to do whatever makes you happy and we can see that Olivia is that for you.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

“We’re proud of you, son, and Olivia has always been family. You guys should come by for dinner soon,” Dad says.

“Thanks, Dad, we will for sure. I’m going to go chat with the guys, but I’ll let you know when we can make it.”

I lean down and place a kiss on both Emily’s and Mom’s cheeks and clap my dad’s shoulder before I head over to where Matt, Caleb, and Grayson are all chatting.

“Well, if it isn’t Mr. Domesticated,” Grayson calls as I make my way over.

“Say whatever you want, fucker, but I’m happy,” I say as I stand between Matt and Caleb.

“Congrats, man, happy for you,” Caleb says as he claps me on the shoulder.

“Congrats, I trust you’ll take care of her,” Matt says, tipping his beer to me.

“I will spend the rest of my life making sure that she is happy,” I say honestly.

While we stand around talking, I see Olivia make her way away from the girls and head toward the washrooms. I keep my eye out for her as she wanders off by herself.

After Josh makesthe announcement about our engagement, our friends and family surround us, offering their congratulations. Matt hugs me and kisses the top of my head. “I’m happy for you two,” he says before stepping back and I’m pulled into Gi.

“Oh my god Olivia, I’m so happy for you. You guys look so good together, too.”

I can feel the heat rising in my cheeks as I thank her. She grabs my hand and looks at my engagement ring, which is absolutely gorgeous. Mom walks up beside her and looks at it with her. They both have huge smiles on their faces. I’m so happy that our friends and family are supportive of us and genuinely happy for us. Most people would question whether we are sure that this is what we want to do. Do we want to rush into this? It’s a serious step. We haven’t been together that long. How can we be sure? I’ve loved Joshua Lincoln for years. It started out as friends, and then he became my first ever crush, and my love onlygrew actually being with him and being loved by him. I could not be more sure about this decision, and not a single person has questioned us so far.

When Mom and Gi drop my hand, Dad pulls me into a big hug, burying his face in my hair. “I’m so glad you’re happy, baby girl. All I have ever wanted for you is to be happy and to be treated well, knowing that you have that makes me happy.” I can feel the tears gathering behind my eyes, he pulls back and kisses my forehead. “You two can always count on us if you need anything.” I wipe the tears from my cheeks with the back of my hand. “Thanks, Daddy.”

“So, you were engaged when we talked?” Mom nudges me.

I let out a little chuckle, “Yeah, but we wanted to tell everyone together,” I reply and she just smiles at me.

“I know, sweetie, it’s all good. I’m going to let you enjoy this. Let me know when you want to start the wedding planning, and I’ll help with whatever I can.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

“Excuse me, Mr. and Mrs. Carter, but can I steal Liv for a little while?” Zoey asks from beside me. Mom and Dad smile at her. “Of course, Zo, we will see you soon Liv,” Mom says before Zoey drags me toward Hannah and Eliza.

When we get to them, all three girls hold their hands out in front of them and I put my left one in front of me and they all stare at the ring before Zoey is squealing and running in place, Eliza has her mouth open, and Hannah grins and says, “That man knows what he’s doing.”

They ask for the story of how he proposed and I tell them, leaving out the details about the pregnancy. They all have tears in their eyes as I tell them the sweet things that Josh said. After I finish telling them the story, I have an urgent need to pee, so I make my way to the washrooms on the edgeof the park. It’s not too far from our area, but it’s a nice little walk and the weather today is perfect. It’s twenty-five degrees and a very subtle breeze blows through every once in a while.

After washing my hands, I head back out toward our gathering area. I’m partway there when I hear my name called from behind me, and I freeze as the hairs on the back of my neck rise. I know that voice. It’s a voice I had hoped I would never hear again. Drew. Turning around, I see him making his way toward me and before I can turn, make my way back to the group and ignore him, he’s standing right in front of me.

“Olivia, baby, how are you?” he asks, and it takes everything in me to not just slap him across the face. He makes a move as though he’s going to pull me into a hug or kiss, and I immediately take a step backward.

“Don’t touch me, Drew. First off, we’re not together, so stop calling me baby. Secondly, what are you doing here?” he straightens his body, hearing the harshness in my voice, and shoves a hand through his hair. I clench my fists at my side, hoping to hold in my anger as I look at him. Now that I’m in such a happy relationship, I wonder why I ever settled for the scraps that Drew gave me.

“You haven’t been answering my texts, and I wasn’t sure where you are living now. I thought I’d see if you were at your parents’ house, and I saw you as I was driving past. We need to talk, baby. Please hear me out.”

I take a step back from him. “Drew, you need to leave. You were not invited and I have no desire to talk to you or see you ever again. Please leave me, my friends, and my family alone.”

I go to leave and his hand wraps around my wrist, stopping my movement. I turn and glare at where his hand is, but he doesn’t remove it.

“Olivia, you owe it to me. After two years together, you owe it to me to hear me out.”

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