Page 103 of Before You
The name sparks in my brain, and my anxiety becomes an afterthought as I gasp. “You’re the one who came up with the name JJ!”
His green eyes light up as he grins. “I couldn’t let my nephew go by Jonathan Jacob for the rest of his life. Could you imagine how awful it would be?” he teases, and JJ groans.
“I can’t imagine,” JJ drawls sarcastically.
“Well, you owe me twenty dollars, so let me know how you want to send it to me. I take cash, check, Bitcoin, and I think there’s a ne—” Uncle Owen starts counting off with his fingers, and I laugh as JJ looks at him, confused.
“I’m sorry, what exactly do I owe you money for?” JJ asks, pulling me back to his side, this time slipping his hand into the back pocket of my jeans. My breath catches at the simple touch and I turn to look up at him, tempted to pull him somewhere private so we can continue what we started back at the house.
“There was a betting pool on when you would show up, and because you got here before the game started, I’m out twenty bucks.”
“Yeah, I’m pretty sure you don’t need my money after your contract renewal last year. Who won?”
“Me,” Thalia chimes in, winking at me. With them standing next to each other, the family resemblance is undeniable. “I see you still haven’t called animal control for the squirrel hiding on your face. Do you need me to?” she asks, looking up at her brother who is as tall as JJ is, but lacks the muscle mass. I cough, trying to cover my laugh as JJ sighs next to me, and I think it’s safe to assume this is a frequent occurrence.
He touches his short beard, frowning. “What is so bad about me growing facial hair? Bash also has one for No Shave November, and I haven’t heard you threatening to call animal control on him.”
“Can’t you just accept you’re not meant to have facial hair?”
“Mom, be nice,” JJ chides, but I think this is hilarious.
“Blake likes it,” his uncle argues, and Thalia crosses her arms over her chest.
“Does she?”
“Okay, we’re going somewhere else now before your bickering can scare Marley off,” JJ says, pulling me in the opposite direction. “I’m sorry, my family is ridiculous, but myuncle was kidding about borrowing money from me. He’s one of the highest paid head football coaches in the league and was giving me shit because he thinks he’s funny.”
“Who all do you think was in on this betting pool?” I ask, and a set of arms wraps around my shoulders, recognizing the scent of Mirabelle’s signature vanilla perfume a moment after.
“Every single person in this room. I put money on you not making it at all, but I’m happy you’re here,” Mirabelle says, pulling us toward where Henry and a few other guys are sitting.
“Marley, obviously you know Henry, but this is Wilson and his boyfriend, Jason. Henry and Wilson play for my uncle, but Jason is a left wing for the Carolina Dolphins.”
“It’s nice to meet you, but I’m not sure why anyone thought we wouldn’t make it?” I ask, and she smirks, glancing from JJ to me, and in the process, I can feel my face burn, absolutely giving away what JJ and I were doing before leaving the house.
Mirabelle laughs, moving to sit next to Henry. “Don’t worry about it. As long as they don’t walk in on you, no one’s going to complain about consenting adults doing consensual adultactivities.”
JJ swears under his breath, and my eyes bug at the thought of someone walking in on me giving JJ a blowjob.
“Um . . .” I trail off, stalling until I figure out what I’m supposed to say here.
Henry grimaces, resting a hand on her knee. “Mira,” he warns, “maybe let’s not talk about this in a room full of people?”
“Are you telling me you weren’t doing something along the lines of whatever it is we all suspect you were doing?” Mirabelle continues, looking to JJ while his face turns as red as mine.Oh my god, we’re never going to live this down.
“I think I would die,” I mumble under my breath.
“Don’t worry. It’s pretty fucking awkward to be the one walking in on it too. I lived with Henry, and I’m convincedthey were trying to see how many times they could get caught,” Wilson says, laughing, and for the first time, I see Mirabelle’s cheeks tint.
“I’m officially team Jason,” Mirabelle adds, sticking out her tongue at the handsome man as he turns to look at the blond man sitting beside him, his warm brown features softening in the process.
“I really can’t blame you since I’m also team Jason.”
“You’re being mean. Cut them some slack. Mira didn’t make fun of me when I showed up to Pilates last week already out of breath,” he says, and Wilson smiles, chuckling.
“Jace, you have no idea what it was like to live with them. I’m surprised my eyes still work, but nothing was as bad as walking her parents out to the pool and finding them naked.”
“No.”I gasp, covering my mouth.
