Page 77 of Mark Us Little Bear
“I came here to chat with you and you completely shattered me,” he wipes the tears from his eyes.
“They say I’m unpredictable.” I glance at him with a soft smile.
He chuckles with a hoarse voice, “Spot on.”
“You have a childhood cancer awareness tattoo.” I slide my eyes to his neck.
“Oh,” he reaches out to rub it, “I lost my brother to cancer when we were kids. We all lose something, don’t we?”
I purse my lips together and nod.
“How old were you when you had it?” He asks.
“Twelve.”
A beat passes before I sneeze and lighten the mood when his soft laugh permeates the air.
“Promise me to make her smile every day, and when she cries wipe her tears and tell her how much you love her.” Johnny shoots his hand forward for a brotherly handshake.
I extend mine and clasp him. “We will, I promise.”
“Let’s go to eat,” he pushes to stand and I follow.Amber is more like him than she realizes.
Amber
Everyone gathers around the table. Laughter rolls in the cool breeze as the night progresses. The food tastes like heaven but I had no doubt it would. The only thing—well, someone, who is sulking in her chair, is mom. At least she tries to pretend to have a good time when Tiffany smiles at her.
A shiver surges up my spine and I squish my hands together between my thighs. Just the thought of going upstairs to get something warm after all the food I ate makes my knees quiver.
“I’m going to smoke in the driveway, want to join?” Bradley asks as he pushes to stand, holding out his hand.
I jerk myself up immediately. “Yes.” I take it and snatch another bite of Dad’s pecan pie.
I can’t turn it down.
I swear I can feel Mom’s eyes piercing my back all the way inside.
As we cross the house Ronnie and Cole are on our heels, holding the front door as we exit. Bradley already sears the tip of his cigarette, sparking it to life. I bounce on my shoes a little and a fluffy blanket drops around my shoulders.
Lips press my ear. “I would’ve devoured you to get you warmed up.” Ronnie kisses my temple, flashing that killer smile as I tuck the blanket closer to my body.
It’s safe to say my heart rate is already climbing.
He brings his hand up along with his phone. A playlist is open. “Pick a song, I owe you a dance.”
I scan the names on the screen and go with Something Real by Black Atlass. He spins me to face him. A giggle slips from me but I choke on it when my stomach meets his solid front. My arms come up, wrapping around his neck and pressing to where his pulse ticks wildly. His hands find my waist under the blanket, tenderly rocking us from side to side.
“So what is the deal between all of you?” Cole asks, taking the cigarette from Bradley’s hand.
“Not your business.” Bradley dances in place, shaking his booty against Cole’s side.
“Come on, where can I find me an Amber?” He pretends to plead, pressing his palms together.
“She found us,” Ronnie remarks, staring at me with that softness I can’t get enough of. “At the club.”
I did, didn’t I? It was me who found them. Yet they held onto me and never let go once since.
“Then I should come to your club as soon as possible.” Tendrils of smoke slowly escape Cole’s mouth.
