Page 80 of Power Play
I swallow. It's all a bit... real.
Living with the boys, working with them, traveling with them, it's all been real, but we've been secluded in our safe little bubble. The team knows all about our situation, but we're a very close-knit family, and no one really outside of the Titans family knows anything.
No faking anything now.
He guides me through the automatic doors, and we follow a few other well-dressed people into a large event room. Round tables are scattered throughout, covered by ivory tablecloths, candles and beautiful low bouquets of white, cream, and pink flowers.
A stage is set up at the far end, and two bars have been brought in and line the sides of the room. I'm suddenly nervous and squeeze Garrett's arm a little tighter. He leans in and kisses my temple in response. The effect it has on me is instant. I'm here. With him.He's got me,it says. That no matter what happens tonight, I'm his, he's mine, and we'll go home together, to our family.
We make our way around the tables, looking for our names.
"Garrett," a low voice says from behind us. We turn and I freeze as I see an older version of Garrett. Same sandy brown hair, same elegant nose, same dimple on his chin. Garrett's father.
Garrett's father is flanked by an even older version - his grandfather. Man, these Jones genetics are strong. I place a hand over my stomach, wondering if one of the babies inside me has a dimpled chin. It makes me smile.
"Father," Garrett nearly growls. He's not even trying to hide his disdain. Instinctively, my hand rests against his lower back. I've got him. I absolutely hate bullies, and I will not let this man disrespect or hurt my husband.
It strikes me then. I've never had something to be so protective of. I've never had someone so completely mine. Even in High School I think I knew Ben and I had an expiration date. We loved each other with the fever and passion only naïve kids with stars in their eyes could have. But I always knew he'd either play in college or go pro straight out of High School, so I'm not sure I ever gave him 100% of me. Of course I didn't. I wouldn't have fallen into bed with two other men.
My smile broadens. But now that I did, I have three men to be protective of, and two little ones inside. My eyes prickle with tears when I think about how alone I was a year ago, and how my family's grown by five. Or sixty, if you want to include the rest of the Titans and staff, too.
I blink back to the present and paste a guarded smile on my face. "Mr. Jones," I say, holding out my hand to him.
He breaks his stare-off with his son and peers at me, as if just realizing I'm here.
"And you are...?" He takes my hand in his.
"Don't play dumb, Dad. You saw the wedding announcement. You know who she is."
He holds my hand a beat longer than necessary and it sends the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end.
I tug my hand out of his grip. "Lacey Jones, sir. A pleasure to meet you." I offer my hand to the eldest Jones. "And you must be George." Where Robert's smile has a vicious edge to it, George's seems genuine. From what Garrett has told me, George was a mechanic until he retired, so Richard didn't grow up wealthy, but Garrett's mother's sudden influx of luxury must have corrupted him.
Thank God Garrett couldn't give a shit about money. I'm not sure where we would be if he did. I'm suddenly even more grateful for this man.
George pulls me in for a kiss on the cheek. "You look beautiful, dear." His warm blue eyes drop to my belly. "A great grandkid," he says, almost wistfully. "I never thought I'd see the day."
I rest my hand over my belly again. "Kids, sir. We're having twins."
Garrett's hand comes to the back of my neck, and he holds it in a possessive embrace. I love how openly affectionate with me he is.
George's smile only widens while Robert shifts, his weight irritated.
"Do you know the sex yet?"
"We don't, sir. We're waiting to be surprised." I smile up at my handsome husband.
"Enough of this, sir, business. Call me George." He takes me under the arm and escorts me around to find our seats. I look back and make sure Garrett will be alright alone with his father. His shoulders are tense, but he nods at me.
"So, tell me all about yourself. You're my granddaughter-in-law now. You're family now." His brow furrows slightly. "I'll have to get on Gare's case later about not bringing you around sooner."
I laugh and pat his arm gently. "Yes. Let's do that."
He helps me to my seat, and we chat comfortably. He's warm and confident and sure of himself. I don't share the details of our living arrangement, or the two other men involved in this relationship, but do share about my childhood, my work, and listen as he shares stories of Garrett as a child.
If I can spend all night chatting with George, I may actually enjoy myself.
I keep an eye on Garrett as we chat, though. Whatever his father had to say to him was short, and he's making his rounds, being social and playing host. I guess with his mother gone, the duty is shared between father and son.
