Page 132 of Holding You
It’s been so nice living in this bubble where no one knows about us. We get to just be us with no outside opinions, but eventually people will find out.
I’ve fallen so hard for this guy, I don’t know why I should keep it in anymore. I can handle the comments. I know I can.
Falling in love is wild.
One minute you know you really like this guy and you want to hang out with him and kiss him and more, then all of a sudden, something clicks and you know without a doubt that this right here, the way he’s holding you, is the way you want to be held for the rest of your life.
“I want to tell them,” I say. That’s all I manage to get out before he jerks back, eyes wide and his smile even wider.
“Really?”
I nod. “Really.”
He rubs the back of his neck and then looks to the back door. Still ginning like a kid on his birthday. “Okay. Yay.”
In an instant, he’s wrapping both arms around me and spinning me in the kitchen. My laughter is unstoppable.
“Did you just say yay?” I ask, grinning as he sets me on my feet.
“I did.”
I giggle more.
“It’s a yay moment. I’m one decision away from thrusting my arm into the air and dancing.”
“All because I want to tell people?”
“Yes. I would have kept us a secret for my whole life if itmeant I got to have you in it, Ruby, but now that I know I get to live openly with you, fuck, it feels good.”
He kisses me again and then steps back.
“Okay, how do we do this? Just walk out there? What if Miles hits me? I feel like he might. Luca will feel my yay vibes, and Hudson will be fine with it and your?—”
“You’ve really thought about this, haven't you?”
“Baby, you come with a big family. A family who loves you very much, and I care what they think, yes.”
He blows out a breath.
“Let’s do this.”
I lace my fingers with his.
A sliver of guilt washes over me at what he’s clearly been battling, but then my heart swoons. He had said he would respect and support every choice I make.
He kept his word.
He slides the back door open, and we step out hand in hand.
No one is looking at us, so Declan clears his throat and places his arm over my shoulders.
Luca looks up, grins, and then goes back to eating.
“That’s it?” I ask, almost disappointed that none of them are acting the way I assumed they would.
“We would have had more of a reaction if the kitchen window hadn’t been open that entire time,” Hudson says with a smirk. Then he winks at me while pointing his fork at Declan. “Hurt her and I’m not afraid to punch you in the face.”
“I’ll be right after him,” Miles says, glancing between us and letting out a sigh. “Or first, as you mentioned.”
