Page 78 of Petals of Blue: Part Two
"I mean," she pats my hands, "let your feelings for them guide you. It will bring you all closer. Are you ready to embrace it? Embrace them and this evolved version of yourself?"
The final part of her question has my shoulders inching back with confidence. If there's anything I know how to do, is embrace who I am. I made the best of my life as Erica, I've kicked ass as Blue, and now I'm a woman in love. No way I'll let four men stump me any longer. I know what I want and what I need.
A big ass smile stretches my cheeks. "I'm ready."
Fifty-Two
JARED
“Honey! I'm home!" Laughing to myself, I drop my backpack by the kitchen table.
There are some tests I still need to grade, and it just wasn't going to happen this afternoon. Not when I knew Blue was home alone and probably out of her mind with boredom.
"Blue?" I call out, realizing I didn't get a response. She's not in the kitchen or the living room.
My heart decides this must mean we need to worry because it's pounding away in my chest, urging me to run and check beneath every surface. I take a deep breath in through my nose and blow out through my mouth.
The anxiety in the wake of what happened to Blue has been tough to manage, but I'm aware enough of it that I can usually catch it before I get out of control. I actually opened up to the school counselor, whom I'm becoming work friends with, and he gave me some coping skills to try at home.
Apparently, breathing is the biggest grounding technique there is.
"In…out..." I talk myself through my breaths as I climb the stairs. Maybe she's taking a nap or something. "No need to worry."
My voice is shaky as I continue talking to myself, but it's necessary. Nobody wants me to get lost inside my head while my girl is fucking missing.
"Blue fucking Bennet!" I shout again, not having found her upstairs.
Honestly, I'm not expecting a response because my mind is jumping right to the worst case scenario, but I'm proven wrong.
"WHAT?!"
"Oh Jesus fuck," I breathe out, deflating against the wall outside of Declan's bedroom. Her sassy scream steals all the anxiety from me. Rushing down the stairs and through the kitchen, I find her tossing a boot onto the rug.
"Why were you yelling?" she asks, watching me warily. I must look a little crazy, but what the hell?
Pulling her into a hug once she's close enough, I relax. "You weren't home."
"Well, I am now," she replies, sounding a little lost.
"Where were you?" I still haven't let her go, and I don't think I will for a long time. She can live right here forever.
Sadly, Blue has other ideas. Pushing me away and grabbing her water off the small table by the sliding glass door, she explains she was having a late lunch with my mom.
"You—What?"Since when are they close enough to just have lunch together? How did I miss this? And why didn't my mom tell me?
She snorts and grabs my hand with her free one. Dragging me to the living room, she nudges me onto the couch. I plop onto my ass without complaint and snatch her before she can move away from me.
Laughing, Blue falls onto my lap sideways. "I need to go to the bathroom," she protests and wiggles.
"Oh yeah?" I tease and tickle her sides until she's screeching like a banshee.
"Stop! Ahhh! JARED!"
My heart swells with so much fucking happiness, I'm laughing right along with her. When our eyes lock, I stop my torture and capture her lips with mine before she can catch her breath. I want her filled with me. The laughter I create, my kisses that breathe lust into her, my touch that embodies our connection.
Just as I sweep my tongue into her mouth, a giggle bursts from her lips. "I really need to pee."
"Alright, alright," I relent, licking my lips and enjoying the taste of Blue that lingers even while she's walking away.
