As soon as we pull into the driveway, Jase is out the front door. He has enough restraint to wait on the front porch while we all pile out of Dad’s Tahoe. Stacy sprints up the steps and wraps him in a hug, which he is all too eager to participate in. Kacen takes hold of my hand and we head toward the house, the guys following along behind us.
Jase lets go of Stacy and focuses his attention on me. “Come here, you.” I haven’t been able to spend any time with him since I got home. I walk into his embrace, still holding Kacen’s hand. He tries to let go, but I hold tight. Jase notices as his gaze locks on our linked hands. “Sis?” he says in question.
That alone makes me feel like dirt. I’ve kept my feelings for Kacen from my family. Almost as if I didn’t admit them, they would go away. Not to mention, I have no idea how I’m supposed to introduce him to my family. Do I introduce him as my boss, my lover, my boyfriend? We’ve only slept together one time, months ago, and boyfriend doesn’t seem like a strong enough of a word for what I feel for him.
Kacen reaches his hand out to Jase. “Kacen. Nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you,” he tells my brother.
“Love your work,” Jase replies. He motions his head toward our combined hands. “What’s up with that?” he asks.
I open my mouth to speak, but Kacen catches me off guard when he brings our joined hands to his lips and kisses the back of mine. I have to swallow the emotion the clogs my throat. He’s one delicious package. He has a body made for sin, his voice blows me away, and he’s a complete contradiction of the stereotype he’s thrown into because of his ink and his profession.
Our eyes meet and he winks at me. He’s telling me he’s letting me take the reins on this one. I can tell them as much or as little as I want. “Jase, Kacen and I are together.” I try for simple.
“Together? As in it’s all fun and games or—”
Kacen cuts him off. “As in, I’m in love with her.” He smirks at Jase’s reaction to his words.
“What about you?” Jase asks me once he recovers.
“Head over heels,” I say, my eyes never leaving Kacen’s.
He leans in and kisses my temple. I love when he does that. A simple gesture to show me, and anyone who happens to be watching, that he cares about me. That he wants us. It’s a feeling that only he has ever elicited within me, and I don’t think I will ever get enough.
Jase accepts my heartfelt declaration with ease. “Mom and Dad are in the house. They’re setting the food out. I hope you’re all are hungry,” he addresses the group.
I motion for everyone to follow me and go in search of my parents. Once we are all in the kitchen, I take the time to make proper introductions to everyone. I leave Kacen for last, and as I introduce him, Jase pipes up. “They’re together.” He motions between me and Kacen. “He says he loves her,” he announces with a grin. I love my little brother, but I’m going to kill him.
“She’s easy to love,” my dad says. He reaches out to shake Kacen’s hand. “Take care of her. I worry about her living so far away,” he tells Kacen.
“Always.” His voice rings true with conviction. Dad must hear it too. He nods and then starts talking to the guys about touring, the new album, and even my role in their lives. They’re all protective of me and make sure Dad knows I’m being looked after. Not that I need it. I’m a grown woman, for goodness’ sake. It’s a male thing. I don’t protest. I just let them have their say and enjoy the fact that my future is colliding with my past. This is my present, and I want to live each day as such.
After introductions, time flies by. The guys are chatting it up with Dad and Jase while Mom, Stacy, and I sit out on the back deck. “He seems great. They all do,” Mom says.
“Pshh, that boy thinks our girl here walks on water,” Stacy quips.
“He does seem quite taken with you, and you him.” Mom grins.
“Yeah,” I agree with them. What else can I say? It’s true.
Loud rounds of laughter reach us outside and curiosity gets the best of us, so we head in to see what the deal is. We find them in the living room, all of them wearing huge grins.
“What did we miss?” Stacy asks. She sits on the arm of the couch closest to Cole. I watch as he snakes his arm around her.
“Just telling stories of when we were on tour,” Tristan says.
“You would not believe the shit people do,” Gavin adds.
“I can only imagine,” I say. I’ve seen the fan mail and have been out in public with all of them at one point or another over the past few months. Bitches be cray-cray.
Kacen stands and walks to me. Bending down, he whispers, “I love you.”
My heart melts at his words. He stands beside me, his arm over my shoulders as if he didn’t just light my world on fire with three little words. I will never be tired of hearing him confess his love.
Stacy covers her mouth as she yawns. “Sorry,” she apologizes.
“Don’t be sorry. It’s getting late. I should get you all back to your hotel.”
“I hate that you got rooms. You all could have stayed here. We have the space,” Mom says.
“We didn’t want to impose. We know you have a lot going on right now,” Stacy tells her.
“Never an imposition. You’re all are taking care of our little girl,” Dad says to the guys. Not that he doesn’t include Stacy, but again it’s a male thing.
“Dad, I’m going to run them home in the Tahoe,” I say.
“I hate you driving back late by yourself. Can you stay with Stacy?” he asks.
Ummm, yes, but I won’t. I hope to be wrapped up in Kacen, preferably all night long.
“Absolutely,” Stacy chimes in, saving my ass.
“Good. We’ll see you all tomorrow. Thank you for coming to support Logan and pay your respects. It means a lot to know she’s surrounded by good people,” Dad says.
After another round of goodbyes, we’re out the door. Kacen walks me to the passenger side and opens the door. “I’ll drive. You’ve had a long day.” He waits for me to climb in, then leans in and kisses me softly before shutting the door. As soon as we are on the road, he reaches over and rests his hand on my leg. I run my fingers up his arm; his corded muscles twitch under my touch.
Excitement bubbles inside as I realize that I finally, after all these months, get to sleep in his arms. Not because he’s consoling me as my tears wet his shirt, not because we fell asleep watching TV, but because he loves me.
Living life to its fullest.