Page 55 of Double or Nothing
Rather than spreading out in the house, the guys chose spare bedrooms along the same hallway as mine and Jade’s. If she were to need us for anything, we will all be close by. If not actually sleeping in the bed with her, which is always a possibility. Unfortunately, her bed is a queen size that doesn’t come close to being big enough for four people. Especially if I’m one of them. The arrangements still need some figuring out.
I pull the car to a slow stop, the gravel crunching underneath the tires, and turn off the engine. A wide smile spreads across my face when I spot the huge “Welcome Home Jade” banner they’ve carefully hung across the front porch.
I reach over and gently shake her shoulder. “Wake up,” I whisper. “We’re here, beauty. It’s time to wake up.”
Her eyelids flutter open, revealing a pair of drowsy, soft brown eyes. Confusion and then realization cross her features as she takes in the decorations and the sight of Vulcan and Seven waiting for her on the steps.
Her gaze meets mine, and a warm, grateful smile graces her lips. “We’re home,” she murmurs, her voice thick with emotion.
I reach over to squeeze her hand. “Yes, we are. The guys have gone all out decorating the place to welcome you back here.”
Seven and Vulcan rush down the steps to greet us. Vulcan jerks open her car door and Seven unbuckles her seatbelt and pulls her out into his arms.
“Welcome back home where you belong,” he says, lifting her off her feet and twirling her around. “We’re so damn happy you’re finished. You’ve been gone forever.”
Laughing, she pushes against his arms. “Put me down. You’re squeezing the breath out of me.”
“Fine,” he replies, slowly setting her back down while he kisses her softly on the lips.
The moment her feet touch the ground, Vulcan moves in and scoops her away from Seven. He throws Jade over one shoulder, her legs flailing in surprise, and runs up the steps into the house with her, their laughter trailing behind them.
“She’s happy to be back,” I say to Seven as we follow them inside. “And I’m thrilled you’re all here.”
“It’s for the best,” Seven says. “Thank you for opening your house to all of us. You’re being very generous and thoughtful, as always. It’s appreciated and doesn’t go unnoticed.”
I glance at him, touched by his words, and make a further offer. “Leroy can stay here as much as he wants, too. There’s enough space for him. There’s no need for him to drive back into Vegas every night. Especially after he’s been drinking. Just because we’re all with Jade, doesn’t mean we’re trying to push him out of our group. We care about Leroy, too.”
“Thanks! I’ll tell him,” Seven says with a relieved smile. “You know how he is about his Mama, though. He worries about her when he can’t check on her every day.”
“I’m not sure if he’s worried about her, or if he prefers her cooking. Leroy’s a Mama’s boy and always will be. I’ll fix up an extra room for him in case he wants to hang around.”
“I think he’s weirded out a little bit by our situation with her,” Seven says, his brow furrowing in concern.
“Well, whatever he’s most comfortable with, works for me,” I say. “My house is open to everyone.”
We head inside, following Vulcan’s laughter, as he places her down on the couch. Her cheeks are flushed from the whirlwind welcome, but she’s laughing, her face glowing with joy.
Vulcan and Seven rush to fix her a plate of food and a drink, their movements quick and attentive, while I sit down next to her, placing a gentle hand on her knee. She leans against me, and I feel the weariness in her body.
“Are you okay?” I ask softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face, my fingers lingering on her soft skin. “We know you’re exhausted. As soon as you eat something, I’ll run a bath for you.”
She smiles up at me, barely able to keep her eyes open. “I’m so happy to be back and you’ve all gone to so much trouble fixing a party for me. I don’t want to miss anything by passing out.”
“The party isn’t going anywhere, sweetheart, and neither are we,” I reassure her.
“What do you mean?” she whispers.
“Seven and Vulcan moved in, so when you wake up, we’ll all be here,” I tell her, watching her face light up.
“I’m awake,” she says, pushing herself upright with a determined effort. “You’re right. I am exhausted, but I wouldn’t miss this for anything. I’ll eat with you all and then maybe take a long bath.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Seven says, placing a plate piled high with food on the table in front of her. “How about a bath and a cuddle? Or cuddles? You appear on the verge of crashing hard.”
“It’s great to have you back,” Vulcan says, leaning down behind her to nuzzle her neck. “We’ve missed you, baby. This place isn’t the same without you.”
“I’ve missed you all, too,” she replies, her eyes almost misty with emotion. “This feels so right, being here with all of you. Things will only get better from here on out.”
“Well, look what the cat dragged in,” Leroy teases, walking into the room, a big grin spreading across his face. “Seriously Jade, you look like one of Kit’s big tigers has gone a round or two with you. And you lost big time. You need to get some rest, girl, before you fall straight into that bowl of guacamole.”
