Page 69 of The Burdens We Share
“Sam, why are you calling my boyfriend?” I ask my brother with absolutely zero patience in my voice.
“Because I need help with my homework,” he explains.
Dallas smirks at the use of the word “boyfriend” and adds, “I told him I would help him anytime.”
Dallas caring enough about my brother to help him with his homework warms my heart and causes a swarm of butterflies to throw a party in my stomach. It means the world to me to know that he cares about me enough to do something like that for my family. It makes those three little words I was thinking in his office come back to the forefront of my mind. My face softens and I smile at him, “Thank you.”
He laughs, “Sam, hold on one sec, I have to mute myself.”
“Okay,” my brother responds suspiciously as Dallas clicks the mute button so that my brother can’t hear what he says next.
He kisses me and I kiss him back, “There’s no other reason I would ever interrupt our time together. You’re more important to me than any phone call. But Sam did text me earlier and ask for help tonight and I don’t want to break any promises.”
I shake my head, “It’s okay. We have all the time in the world. Thank you for doing this for him.” I plan on showing him just how grateful I am when he’s finished.
His hand lands on my thigh and he gently squeezes before he promises, “I’m gonna help him with this, I’ll be right back.”
“Take your time,” I grin at him and he kisses me one more time before he unmutes the phone.
He rises from the bed and walks out of the room and down the hall to where I know his office is, bringing the phone back to his ear. “Is that kid still fucking with you by the way? Because I handled it, but if he’s still being an asshole-”
I can’t hear the rest of what he says because his voice fades down the hall, but it warms my heart nonetheless. He’s been taking care of my brother behind the scenes for some time it seems. How did I get so lucky?
I pause the TV while I wait for him to return because let’s face it, there’s no way he’s getting out of this one. While I wait, I lay back in my previous spot and open my phone. I have a few texts from the girls sending wedding inspiration and a few from Nate telling me he misses me. I return the sentiment before focusing on the girl’s chat where Aria suggests Brody get married at a gothic church, an idea that is immediately shot down by Brody. Then we have some Brody and Aria bickering and then the usual Selene text telling everyone they’re stupid and to shut up. You can call my friends many things and consistent is one of them.
I’m about to shut my phone off when I get a text from Dallas that reads,I was gonna wait but go in my nightstand drawer. There’s a small box in there. Open it.
Consider my interest piqued. I crawl over to his side of the bed and reach for his bedside drawer when I suddenly remember how Aria opened Sly’s drawer and found the phone that caused a ton of issues. History will not be repeating itself today. It can’t anyway. I didn’t make a sex tape. I brush thoughts of the past aside as I open the drawer and spot two boxes. One of them is a box of condoms and the other is a small blue box with a white ribbon. I fire off a text to Dallas,Aw babe, you got me a box of condoms? Thank you xx
He responds right away,Very funny. You know what box I’m talking about.
I do. I reach for the blue box and quickly open it to find shimmering diamonds. But not just any diamonds.Pinkdiamonds. My eyes sparkle in excitement. Dallas got me a pink diamond tennis necklace. When did he get this? It’s so stunning I immediately want to put it on.
He texts me again,Do you like it?
I more than like it. I quickly type back,Come here and find out.
I hear heavy footsteps coming from down the hall and feel giddy anticipation in my chest. The door opens a moment later and he appears. His dark eyes land on the diamonds around my neck and he grins, “It looks beautiful on you.”
He walks towards the bed and sits down beside me. I crawl into his lap and wrap my arms around his neck, “It’s so beautiful. Thank you. You didn’t have to get me anything.”
He cocks his head at me as if the idea is absurd, “I wanted to. Besides, it’s not often you come across pink diamonds and when your girl’s favorite color is pink, it would be a crime not to get them.”
I chuckle, “When did you get it?”
Dallas’ hands fall to my thighs, “About a week ago. I was gonna surprise you, but I couldn’t wait anymore.”
I’m about to kiss him when his phone rings again. I sigh, closing my eyes and resting my forehead against his, “I swear to God if that’s Sam-”
He blows out a breath, “It’s not.”
I open my eyes and glance at his phone which he’s displaying for me. My eyes practically pop out of my head. “Mymotheris calling you?”
Dallas accepts the call, “Hi, Tara,” his voice is polite.
“Hi, honey,” she greets him affectionately like he’s a long-lost son. She never calls Sam and me “honey.” I roll my eyes.
Dallas looks amused, “Is everything okay?”
