Page 113 of Protect Home
Not enough to fight it.
“And look at us now.” I hold my arms out beside me. “So in love it’s sickening, boys.” I smile wide, reveling in hearing the words out loud.
“In love?” King retorts. “Says who? TT say that?”
“Well, not exactly. But I know she loves me. Just…in her own way.”
“This fucker’s making plans and he doesn’t even know if they’re reciprocated or not.” King’s lucky I’m feeling sentimental, or his pretty face would be face-first in the carpet by now, rug burn making a permanent scar.
“Man, fuck you, King,” I snap.
“Yeah, bro. That’s messed up,” Briggs tells him. “I could see it.”
“That woman loves you, Gus. Don’t listen to him. I’ve been able to see through her for years. And don’t forget, my wife is one of her best friends,” Cal chimes in, attempting to wink secretly.
My brows rise. “You got some hidden intel, Hayes?”
Cal zips his lips. “I’m no snitch, man. Sorry. Just trust the process. You know Tenley has always been guarded and reserved in her own way. Give her time.”
Give her time.Seems I’m on the right track because that’s all I’ve been doing. Yet, I’m getting fucking impatient waiting for her to just show me all of her. Show me how much she really cares about me—loves me.
I feel it every second I’m with her. Even in the midst of her refusal and verbal sparring. As twisted as it is, I know it’s how she shows her love.
And it’s a love I’m not so sure I could live without now that I’ve experienced it firsthand.
“How’d she take that picture you posted of her?” Briggs asks.
I laugh to myself, replaying yesterday in my mind over and over again. I made sure to write the perfect caption, too.
Mine before, mine now, mine forever.
Just claiming my woman for the world to see.
“Oh, she hated it. But surprisingly, didn’t put up much of a fight. I pulled the whole ‘you told me to get comfortable posting my everyday life’ spiel. I think she bought it.”
“That, or she just didn’t see it yet,” King says.
“Oh, she did.” The girls were on the road for no less than thirty minutes before my phone pinged with a message from Tenley.
Tenley:Cute, bat boy. Two can play that game.
August:Bring it on, Mama. Show me what you got.
“She’s been stressed and extra…emotional these past few weeks. That’s why I wanted to get this built for her before she gets back. Other than the crib, everything is ready for the little slugger.”
“Slugger?” Cal laughs. “Still haven’t picked a name yet?”
I shake my head. “Nope.”
“You’ve got time.” Briggs waves me off.
“Two weeks.” We’ve got two weeks until our lives change forever. For the better. Two weeks of just Tenleyand me. That’s plenty of time to convince her I’m worth being serious about.
Convince her I’m worth starting a family with.
I want that with her more than anything.
“It’ll be here in no time,” King says, and he’s right about that.
