Fall

One night, I must have slept through her scream because when I woke up Jaymeson was sitting next to her on the bed, leaning against the pillow stroking her hair as she slept.

I imagined the piercing in my heart was what it felt like to watch someone you love loving the most important person in your life in return. It was beautiful, and I knew in that moment that my dad would have loved Jaymeson. Because Jaymeson loved my dad’s little girls more than life itself.

He showed it in his actions.

Jaymeson had helped get Dani to the car while I’d gone to the accounting department to discuss the payments for the hospital bills. I knew my parents didn’t have a ton of money, but I figured that hopefully with their life insurance I could pay for part of her bills.

“Paid in full.” The nurse had flashed me a knowing smile.

“But—”

“Paid in full,” she repeated. “Now was there anything else I can help you with?”

Confused I’d made it ten steps before it struck me.

Jaymeson.

It had taken the entire plane ride back, lots of kissing and coaxing, but he finally ’fessed up and said he not only paid for the hospital stay but may have possibly bought Dani a new car in the process, for when she was ready to drive again. Sort of as a welcome home present so she wouldn’t be so sad.

I accused him of spoiling her.

His answer was, “I want to spend my life spoiling you. Both of you.”

Pretty sure Demetri and Alec were getting tired of watching us because they’d all moved to different parts of the private jet.

Yeah, private jet.

I was still in shock.

“So.” Jaymeson cleared his throat. “I, uh, thought we should um…” He turned bright red. “Bring your stuff over to my place.”

“My stuff?” I asked.

“Yeah.” Why was he turning red?

“I know we need to go through all your parents’ belongings. I know it would be too hard to stay there right now, so I kind of thought you and Dani should stay with me.” He gulped. “At my beach house.”

“Why are you sweating?” I touched his forehead.

“Holy shit, I feel like I’m fifteen,” Jaymeson muttered. “I don’t want to ever, ever, ever, sleep without you. Ever again…” He coughed. “Ever.”

“Say ever one more time, man.” Demetri walked between us and laughed. “I don’t think she heard you.”

Jaymeson flipped him off.

Somehow, Demetri could read minds, because his middle finger was already hoisted in the air toward Jaymeson even though he hadn’t turned around.

They were helping us unload our bags and Dani, while they packed up for the next leg of their tour.

“Okay.” I licked my lips. “But with Dani there, we can’t… you know.” I put my hands in front of me, and twisted them in the air.

“Mime?”

Demetri walked back between us. “Wow, your guys’ communication skills need work.” He patted Jaymeson on the back. “Oh, and if you didn’t catch that, she means you can’t have sex. Sucks to be you.”

“Don’t you have somewhere to be?” Jaymeson snapped.

“No.” Demetri beamed. “I’m quite happy. Do continue.”

Within seconds Alyssa had Demetri by the ear and was dragging him away from our conversation.

Jaymeson turned his full attention back to me. “I’ve controlled myself for how long? Pretty sure I can wait, love.”

“Famous last words!” Demetri shouted from the other side of the plane.

Chapter Forty-Six

Jaymeson

I was staring at her — hard.

I may have snuck into her room once Dani fell asleep, and now I was being the creepy boyfriend/fiancé that stared at his girl as if she held secrets to the universe on the pillow of her lips.

Pillow of her lips — bloody fantastic. There I went again, getting all sentimental and wanting to slap myself in the face.

Pris moaned in her sleep. I tucked her body into mine and watched the waves slowly cascade across the white sand beach. Her room was on the top floor, giving her the perfect view of the beach.

Two months ago I’d hated Seaside.

Now? I would live here, if that meant keeping her — and keeping what we had solid. Yeah, I’d put down roots or whatever the hell people called it.

Dani hadn’t lasted more than three seconds in her old house before she’d burst into tears. I could tell Pris wanted to cry too, but she was trying to be strong. They’d packed a bag for Dani and now they were at my house indefinitely.

Funeral arrangements sucked balls. And that wasn’t me being insensitive. It was the cold hard truth. Just when I thought the girls were doing better, they’d break down.

I ended up helping out of pure desperation. I hated seeing Pris cry and that immediately transferred to her sister.

The funeral was small, but the entire freaking town showed up, giving the girls their support.

I was thankful for that, thankful for the small community that stood behind the girls like they were family. Thankful that I was witness to what community and family really were about.

By the time we finally got settled into my house, I think the shock was starting to wear off, but I knew it would be months, years even, before the girls would stop feeling that empty hole in their hearts — the empty hole of loss.

For a guy who’d once whored himself around and hated the idea of marriage and a family — I was sure jumping the gun.