Page 78 of Should've Been Us
“You do anything but make her the happiest girl in the whole fucking world, and I’ll endyou.”
“Lance.” Lulu whined, “Stopit.”
“No. It’s fine.” Connor assured her, “Lance and I are on the same page when it comes to you so we’re going to be fine.” He faced off against the older man, “I intend to do everything in my power to give Lulu the life she deserves. Her happiness is more important to me than anything. I love her. I’ve always loved her. And if you haven’t already figured that out, you will, because I’m going to prove it to her and to you if need be, every day for the rest of mylife.”
Lance stared at him but didn’t budge. Connor stared back, knowing now wasn’t the time to blink. He’d pulled this same judgmental shit when Nick came back for Kady. He’d played the protective brother roll. He understood where Lance was coming from, especially considering Lance must be aware of all Derek had put her through. She’d deserved better and that better was Connor. He’d make sure ofit.
“Wow.” Trent was the one that broke the silence, “That was… beautiful,man.”
Connor couldn’t be sure his cheeks didn’t tint a little bit pink, “Uh,thanks.”
“That was what you wanted to hear, wasn’t it babe?” Trent turned on his boyfriend, “You wanted to see them together. You wanted to hear his intentions towards your little sister, who I’ll remind you againisn’ta little girl anymore. She’s a grown woman and she’s made her choice and from where I’m standing, I think she’s made a damn goodone.”
Lance snorted, “If you say he has a nice ass again, I might actually kill youboth.”
Trent laughed and hugged his boyfriend to his chest. He whispered something to Lance again that made the other man smile. Connor gave the superstar an appreciative nod for backing him up. He’d take whatever he could get at this stage. It was more than he’d expected but he’d takeit.
“Okay, well if we’re done with the third degree, do you think we can all go home now?” Lulu fake whispered, “People are staring because you’re making ascene.”
“No. People are staring because my boyfriend is hotter than hell and too damn nice to tell them to leave him alone.” Lance fake whisperedback.
“Your hot boyfriend is ready to go home.” Trent slid his arm around Lance’s back, “And he’s not at all upset that your sister seems to have made otherarrangements.”
Connor didn’t miss the innuendo but he pretended he did, “I’ll get Luluhome.”
Lance sighed and finally nodded, “Fine. I know when to backoff.”
“No you don’t. But you’re learning.” Lulu hugged her brother again. “Thank you for coming to check on me. I appreciateit.”
“I worry aboutyou.”
“I know, but that’s not your jobanymore.”
“It’ll always be my job. I’m your big brother.” Lance released her and offered his hand in Connor’s direction, “But I’m willing to share the job, so long as youare.”
Connor took his hand and gave it a firm shake. It was an olive branch. It was a step in the right direction. He gave another nod and then released Lance’s hand to pull Lulu back to his side, where shebelonged.
“Deal.”
They weren’t exactly friends now. He knew that. But it was a start. Because someday, someday soon, he hoped that they were going to become more than friends. Someday soon they were going to be brothers. Someday soon he was going to ask Lulu to marry him and she was going to say yes and they were going to start a familytogether.
They were all going to befamily.
Connor wrapped an arm around Lulu’s shoulders and pulled her close. She smiled up at him and he motioned for them to head out. They walked out into the sunshine of the bright Texas day, straight towards theirfuture.
“Come on baby, let’s gohome.”
