Page 104 of Protect Home
“Gentlemen, ladies…I present to you…The Calvin Boys…” Tenley smiles wide and reveals the ad I’ve been dreading coming to print.
“Baha!” King yelps, eyes bugging out. “Forget Atlanta boys. You the fucking Calvin boys!”
“Dude, you look miserable. Not a photographic gene inside of you,” Bodhi laughs, earning a punch to the side from Navy. “Behave, you dufus,” she tells him before turning to kiss his cheek.
“You don’t look half bad, Briggs,” Kodi points out.
“It’s probably the arm candy I have making me look good,” Briggs admits. “Woman was fucking stunning.”
“Yeah she is,” King agrees before directing his attention to me. “Where’s your woman, Gus?”
Tenley flinches slightly and I both hate it and love it. Although the shoot meant nothing to me, it was painful for her, and I hate that she has to relive it even more a second now.
I’d also like to think I did well at clearing that issue up.
“Which one?” I ask, playing it off. “The one that should have been beside me or the stand-in?” I look at Tenley and catch the shyest of smiles come over her. It causes a thrill to burn inside of me.
I like that she’s coming to terms with the idea of us more than ever now.
King chuckles, catching onto what I’m putting down. “Let’s say the stand-in. Although I have a feeling your baby mama had your full attention. Whipped pussy.”
He would be correct.
“Front page,” I direct him, nodding for Tenley to flip the magazine over.
This is the part that surprises me. But I guess it makes sense. Tenley has never done the unexpected, always two steps ahead of me, and keeps my life full of surprises.
And this…I was not fucking anticipating.
The fullest, most deliriously pleased grin plasters my face at the sight of the ad. Front and center is the photo Kodi took of me, but instead of Layla seated on top of me, Tenley’s face and body—pregnant and all—is photoshopped in her place.
“This all you, little venom?” I ask, cheesing big at her. Fuck. This is the most off-the-wall gesture and never been a more fitting form of I love you I’ve ever received.
She’s not ready to tell me out loud yet. But I know for a fact, this is a step in the right direction and the most Tenley Abrams way to show it.
Tenley nods, smiling wide, “Had to show Layla her place.”
“You sure as hell did that, TT,” King admits.
“More like showing her the dumpster out back,” Bodhi chimes in.
“She was actually really nice,” Tenley admits, trying to keep the peace.
“And what’s her place?” I ask, my focus on nothing but her as I inch my way closer. “Tell me, pretty girl. I’m dying to know.”
“Anywhere away from you,” she admits, her pretty blues zeroed in on mine. No hesitation. No bashfulness in her admission. It’s not an I love you, but it’s pretty fucking close.
“We should probably get lost…” Kodi retorts, looking to the group for confirmation.
“Y’all are a strange couple,” Briggs comments.
“We’re not a couple,” Tenley rushes out.
“Not yet. But soon.” I grin. She doesn’t know it yet, but I’m ready to claim her. Been ready, actually. And I’m not sure I’m in the mood to barter and deal.
I want all of her. Now.
I don’t give a shit about the magazine and howmonumentalit is for my career. I care about the woman who took the time to fuck it up and make it perfect.
