“Isn’t it fantastic!” Delilah cackles, and I can’t stop looking between her and the bus. “Do you like it? It’ll be so much fun, and God only knows we need some fun! And look!” She points at the bus, and Delaney and Keeva hop off with large grins puffing out their cheeks. Eamon and Bran are behind them, but it’s shocking to see Bran here. He hasn’t exactly been the most supportive over the last few weeks. Things have been a bit off between us since all these changes have happened. I’m hopeful we can work on it and get back on the right track.
“I still don’t know what’s happening,” I point out cautiously. “It’s a party bus, obviously. But for what?”
“You’ll see.” Declaring mysteriously, Delilah grabs my arm and drags me toward the bus. I don’t resist, not wanting to ruin her enthusiasm. It can’t be anything too bad, or at least I don’t think it can. Still, I can’t help but wonder what this is all about. “It’ll be fun! Trust me! You do trust me, right?”
“Of course,” I scoff immediately, and her smile widens. I fear her cheeks might rip from how big she’s smiling. “Can you just tell me where we’re going?”
“Quit trying to ruin the surprise, brother,” Keeva chastises, and I scowl at her lightly. I can’t really be angry, though. There’s clearly a lot of thought and care put into this . . . whatever ‘this’ is. She sticks her tongue out at me. “Just sit back and enjoy. I know that must beveryhard for you, but at least give it a go.”
“What am I supposed to be enjoying!” Keeva grabs my other arm to join Delilah in pulling me onto the bus. I step up, nearly stumbling as my sister pushes my back. “Hey! I’m on the bus. Shite, stop pushing me, will ya?”
Music pumps through the speakers strung up in the corners of the bus, and I cover my eyes against the flashing, colorful lights. Shuffling deeper into the bus, I rub my eyes and pinch the bridge of my nose, knowing this won’t end anytime soon. I don’t know whether to be irritated or appreciative. Turning back to see Delilah beaming at me, I settle on the latter. I’ll do anything to keep her smiling like this. Fuck, she could be painting my nails for fuck’s sake, but if she kept the smile she has on right now . . . I wouldn’t argue in the least bit. Reaching to grab her arm, I pull her against me to kiss her hard and passionately.
Delilah’s surprise clogs my throat, and I cup the back of her head with my hand. I snake an arm around her waist to pull her closer against me, needing the feeling of her body pressing against mine. I end the kiss suddenly, jerking my head back to sigh, satisfied. Her dazed expression is cute, and I smile warmly when her gaze snaps to me. “You’re right. It is fantastic.”
“You think so? I knew you’d love it.” She claps her hands together and inhales sharply. I nod, deciding to just go with the flow. I have no idea what’s going on, but whatever. There’s no resisting Delilah, anyway. A smirk tilts my lips as I grab her ass and squeeze. She jumps, swatting my hand away, and I arch a brow quizzically when she points at me above her pout. “You know, I put a lot of effort into this. A ‘thank you’ would be nice.”
My lips part in exasperation. But I shake my head and lean to kiss her cheek. Delilah isn’t expecting this of me, and I know it. She blushes fiercely as her fingers curl in surprise. “Thank you for everything you do for me, Delilah.”
Earnestness softens my tone, and she opens and closes her mouth dumbly before turning away with a huff. I chuckle lightly, shaking my head. My siblings pile onto the bus behind us. I stumble into the seat lining the wall and groan as I lay down and kick up my feet. Propping my arms under my head, I grin at Delilah when she perches on the edge near my knees. Her long, expectant stare settles heavily on me, and I lift one leg to trap her under it.
“Hey!” she exclaims, grabbing my jeans to tug. “Get off me, you oaf.”
“What did you expect?” I tease. Delilah rolls her eyes, gripping my leg to sit back and bend my knee.
“Were you expecting to do something today?” The question catches me off guard, and Delilah points at my feet. “You were dressed.”
“Uh, would you prefer it if I was naked?” I ask in a cocky manner, and Delilah scoffs as her face beams bright red. She shakes her head, and I want to fuck with her a bit more. “I don’t understand the question. It’s just jeans, and it’s not like I just rolled out of bed so late in the morning.”
“Nevermind,” she grumbles, puffing out her lips. “It’s nothing.”
“Okay,” I reply sluggishly.
“So, Keenan.” Keeva throws herself down to my level, kneeling to push her face right up against mine. I hold my breath, my brows rising as I grunt in acknowledgment. “I think you’re really going to like this. I know, I know, dreary this, and drama that. But!”
“But?” My sister glares at me as I combat her. “I still don’t know what we’re doing. This better not be something you want to do, and you’re trying to pass it off as something I want.” Even though Delilah obviously planned this, Keeva’s the type of person who’d pull this shite. The couple times she bought me a gift for my birthday, it’s something she wants, and I end up giving it to her. She’s a riot like that.
“And you’re not going to know until we get there,” Delaney chimes in with a knowing smirk. “Deal with it, Keenan. We’re not telling you.”
“Fine, but I reserve the right to stay on the bus if I don’t like it,” I say, but Delilah shakes her head before clamping her hands over my mouth. Suddenly finding myself a hostage, I take my arms from under my head, but Keeva grabs my wrist.
“Hold him down! Don’t let him get away!” Delaney giggles hysterically between bellows, and I struggle weakly at the symphony that follows. My heart throbs at this sweet moment. It seems lately that everything is dank and threatening. It’s like dark clouds loom over me and my family, threatening to open up with horrendous lightning and thunder and frigidly cold rain.
“Okay, I give up!” I laugh as my arm starts to ache, and my gaze finds Delilah’s easily. She smiles, her cheeks round and palms hot as they leave my chin. “You win. I know when I’m beaten. I won’t ask again.”
“Your lack of faith in me is disturbing.” Delilah toys with me playfully, wagging her finger and sucking her teeth in mock disappointment. “I would never force you to do something I want to do just to make me happy. Frankly, I’m shocked!”
“You’re so full of crap.” Chuckling affectionately, I cover her hand on my chest with my own and sigh. The conversation simmers down, but the excitement buzzes just above my nose. I close my eyes. At least not knowing about this surprise means my family can’t hype themselves up on the way to it.
My family. The people who stand by me, through anything and everything. And now, Delilah is in the ranks—the very first to step up even if she’s the last one I’d knowingly burden. I crack open my eye to watch her talk animatedly with Keeva. She did this for me for no reason other than to make me happy.
I’m bloody lucky to have her. One day, when the time is right, I’m going to make her mine forever. I have no doubts about it. She’s it for me, and seeing her wear the necklace I gave her a while back every day . . . it shows how committed she is to our relationship.
“We’re here,” Delaney says excitedly, peeking beyond the curtain with bright eyes. I sit up, but Delilah puts a hand on my chest and shakes her head firmly. The bus jostles as if on uneven gravel. Suspicion coats my tongue. I reach to pull back the curtain, but she swats my hand away with a glare.
“Come on, we’re here, so let me see what this is all about,” I complain, not enjoying how everyone else is getting a kick out of this.
“No. I’ve got a whole thing, and you’ll do it my way, mister,” Delilah declares and throws my leg off her, and I grunt as I straighten myself up. She stands, pulling her hair into a messy bun, and huffs determinately. I flail my hands in defeat.
