61
DANIEL
“If you guyspull this bullshit again, I’m fucking someone up and it won’t be Josie,” Noah threatens, striding into the kitchen.
“Fuck anyone up. Just don’t touch Daniel and we’ll be okay.” Josie’s voice is just as leveled and equally threatening.
Noah is nowhere near being scared of Josie, but I see the admiration and respect he has for her. It reflects in his eyes the same way it does when Coach D’Angelo is talking to him.
He stares at Josie, and she stares right back. Never thought I’d see the day that someone could rival his scarily blank expression, but she mirrors it so well. On him, it’s whatever, but on Josie, it’s both unnerving and hot.
If it wasn’t because we promised everyone food, I would’ve kicked them out. The guys didn’t have to, but they helped me move back in her house. The decision might be rash considering we just got back together yesterday, but we both want—needthis.
We’re still not done talking. Last night, we talked about our fears, insecurities, the desire to stay hidden, and everything we tried so hard to bury away. It was stupid because we were trying to keep the wounds that never healed behind a tiny Band-Aid. It did nothing for us but eventually infect the wound until we hadno choice but to tear the Band-Aid off and accept what we’d been denying.
We only stopped because we knew we needed it, and we were both emotionally drained. It’d been a long day, so we got ready for bed and listened to the CD I burned for her while she hugged the Care Bear I gave her.
“And us too, right?” Gray butts in.
“Is your name Daniel?” She doesn’t break eye contact when she replies.
I smirk and snake an arm around her front, and with ease, she lets me tug her back to my chest. She’s slightly stiff, but once our bodies are pressed against each other, she goes lax.
“What the hell, Josie?” he scoffs, offended.
“Yeah, what the hell?” Kai defensively chimes in.
“Don’t take it personally. I like you both, I do, but I love him. So do the math…” She points her thumb over her shoulder at me then rests her hands on top of mine that lay on her stomach.
The guys glare at me, but I shrug unapologetically and shoot them a wink, grinning like a damn fool.
“Mmm, forget my offer. I don’t want to paint my nails with you,” Angel tsks, pinning her with a faux disdainful look.
“He doesn’t mean that,” I whisper in her ear.
“You both disgust me,” Noah mutters and the guys seem to share the same sentiment because they’re scowling at us.
“You might want to close your eyes then. This will make you vomit.” She turns and circles her arms around my shoulders and stands on her tiptoes, brushing her lips against mine.
Someone grunts, gags, or mutters something, I don’t know, nor do I care. I’m lost on how soft and plush her lips feel against mine.
“We got food!” Pen and Vienna shout from the front door before we can really get the kiss started.
“Dammit, I guess?—”
“You should know by now that I don’t live to care what others think,” Josie sultrily whispers against my mouth. “Kiss me. We need to make up for all?—”
I close the tiny gap between our lips and kiss her hard, shutting out the loud protests and whistles.
“I’m happy you’re back.” Kai hugs me then pulls back. “I know we’ve all been fucking around with you but we’re all here for you. Even Noah. I know he looks like he doesn’t care, but he was worried about you.”
I smile. “Thanks, man. That really means a lot. If you ever want to talk about home or anything, you know I’m here for you too.”
I might’ve not been in a good headspace to tell him that the day he told me about feeling homesick, but I remember. I do hate it took me this long to let him know I am here for him too.
“Thanks.” He tucks his hands in his pockets, a lopsided grin curling on his face. “I should get going before Noah and Gray start bitching.”
“Yeah, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
