Page 83 of For Your Heart
Taking a deep breath, I hold it for a minute. This is probably a bigger moment than meeting his parents. Simon is a part of their lives, like the brothers are connected. I’ve seen Damon and Declan together. The more time we spend together, the four of us, the more comfortable they are showing us just how close they are.
I don’t hate it. At all.
Will I feel that same way regarding Simon, though? He’snottheir brother. And I know both twins are in love with him. That changes things, right? Will I be able to handle that?
“I have to,” I say aloud to no one. “Because I want to keep Damon. I want him to keep me.”
Besides, I know that we have something. I know there’s something special between us. He tells me he misses me now when we’re apart. I get morning texts and ones right before he falls asleep. Sometimes, he texts me just to tell me he misses me. And he calls, too. Just to hear my voice.
“That means something,” I emphatically say. I just need to get through this night.
I’m so deep in my insecurities that I don’t hear Damon pull up and startle when he knocks on my door. Bounding to my feet, I practically run and throw my door open. Damon smiles, and it makes my entire body hot.
“Happy to see me, Najee?” he asks.
I nod. My limbs are so jittery, I’m practically shaking. I manage to hold myself in place for approximately three solid seconds before launching myself at him.
It’s a true testament to how strong Damon really is because he catches me. “Mm,” he hums, running his fingers through my hair. “You nervous, Sage?” His voice is soft, and I nod wildly, keeping my face buried in his neck.
“We’ve decided to do dinner first. Somewhere quiet where we can talk and hear each other. Then we’ll go to the club. All right?”
My nerves settle slightly. Yes. That’s a much better plan than meeting at a place where we have to scream to hear each other. I know that a lot of people meet that way, but clubs have always been overwhelming to me. Gay, straight, whatever, they’re all the same. Loud and packed with sweaty bodies.
Damon pulls back and cups my face. He studies me for a minute, and I wonder what he sees. “You okay?”
“Yes. I’m just nervous. What if he doesn’t like me?” I ask.
He smiles. “He’ll love you, Sage. Promise.”
“How do you know?”
“Because you’re an adorable puppy, something he’ll absolutely love.” He brushes my hair back and scratches the back of my head. “Relax, baby. Everything will be fine.”
Damon takes my hand and leads me out of the house, shutting and locking the door behind me. He settles me into his car before moving to the other side and climbing behind the wheel. As soon as we’re on the road, he takes my hand again, brings it to his lips, and kisses my knuckles.
“You have nothing to be nervous about. Trust me when I tell you, I’m the one on the edge of my seat,” Damon says.
I look at him like he’s crazy. Though he’s watching the road, the corners of his lips quirk up. “I’ve told you about my relationship with him,” he says quietly. “Hearing about it, knowing how close we are, and seeing it are very different things.”
His thumb runs over my skin soothingly. He’s right. I was having those exact thoughts as I waited for him on my couch. What happens if I can’t do this? What happens if I can’t stomach seeing it? Does it matter thatI knowit happens outside of my presence after I see it? It’s going to feel much different then.
My stomach flips at the idea. Hearing how they pile together on the couch to watch television, shower together, then sleep together practically naked and tangled together is something else entirely to witnessing it.
It’s abstract right now. A myth. A story. It’s about to become real.
Thankfully, I don’t need to see that. All I’ll be seeing is maybe some hugs. And dancing. Right? I should be able to get through this easily enough. It’s just hugging and dancing. Not so bad.
When we pull into the parking lot and park, I see Declan and Zarek right away and can’t help beaming a smile at them. Zarek is really cute. He’s a couple years older than me, but he looks younger. There’s something youthful in his face and yet, I can see that he’s older. More mature. Maybe it’s in his posture. Or his smile.
He grins at me from under Declan’s arm as I wait for Damon to open my door. I love that he does. I love that care and attention. He pulls me up and straight into his chest, where he kisses me. “Ready?” he asks.
I nod, not sure I can trust my voice not to squeak right now.
Damon links our fingers, and we move toward Declan and Zarek. When we’re there, Damon’s free hand wraps loosely around Zarek’s neck and he brings their lips together, making Zarek blush prettily. Of course, in the next second, my cheeks heat as Declan’s thumb runs over my lip before he takes it between his teeth.
“Hey, sexy beast,” Declan murmurs against my mouth.
I nearly groan at the way my dick throbs suddenly. What I wouldn’t give for the four of us to go home and just… fuck.
