It was after we all stuff ourselves with ribs that we remember we have cake too so I quickly ice it, combining the multi layered cake.
My face burns red when Jace started singing, everyone joining in, singing happy birthday.
When the fire starts to die down and the twins havedefinitelyhit the ‘happy drunk’ stage of their drunkenness scale, we reluctantly abandon the sullen, dimming flames.
I jump in the door, already feeling the heat of the fire leave me as winter powers on. The guys race in after me. Alec shuts the big ass wooden door behind us.
A yawn’s ripped out of me. The twins are bouncing off the walls from the cake, marshmallows and alcohol but the rest of us mostly sober and completely sober people are biting back yawns and sleep.
Jace flicks the kitchen lights on so he can put the few leftover ribs and cake in the fridge.
Squinting at the sudden brightness, I look at the clock. No wonder we’re all ready for bed—it’s two in the morning!
“Well shit.” Luc follows my gaze, chuckling. Turning his back to me, he pulls an ice pack from the freezer, picking up a tea towel.
Out of all the guys, Luc is the one most insistent on making sure I ice my ribs at least morning and night.
The pain doesn’t bother me—I can deal with that. But the memories…
My eyes fall to the floor as I step around Luc, prepared to skip tonight.
“Butterfly,” Luc says warningly.
“Not now, okay? I’ll do it in the morning.” I don’t turn to meet his eyes, not wanting to see his disappointment.
“Luc, just let it go for tonight,” I hear Alec tell him.
I feel him step up behind me as I rest my hands on the bench, curling them into fists. It’s just silence as Luc stands there. Then I hear the freezer door open, then close.
My eyes stay trained on the bench, the guys murmuring becoming the one thing in the background.
A hand rests on my shoulder, squeezing it gently. I take a deep shuddering breath before turning. Rather than meeting Luc’s gaze, my eyes focus on his throat as he swallows.
“Rory,” Luc murmurs gently. “I get it. Trust me when I say I get it more than anyone.”
“I just can’t today, Luci.” I keep my eyes trained on the spot, feeling my throat tighten with emotion as my voice wobbles.
“I know. Which is why I’m letting it go,” he says softly. Fingers under my chin force me to raise my head, reluctantly meeting his gaze.
“But tomorrow…tomorrow you need to start again.” Luc’s eyes are understanding but firm—not wavering from mine.
I nod reluctantly, knowing he’s right. I want them to heal as fast as possible so I can finally be done withhim.
He searches my eyes, making sure I know he’s serious before he relaxes.
I reach up on my tippy toes, my arms wrapping around him. “Thank you for understanding, Luci.”
Suddenly there’s another set of arms around us and Mase squishes his face in with Luc and I.
“Are we all happy now?” The big goofball beams, planting a smacking kiss to Luc’s forehead.
Luc rears back, seeming to be taken by surprise before he rolls eyes.
“Never let the twins drink tequila.” I’m not sure if Luc is talking to me or himself.
He extracts himself from Mase’s tight hugs leaving me to deal with the sloppy drunk. A quick glance over shows me Maverick can definitely handle his tequila a lot more than Mase.
Mason nuzzles his face into my neck, planting rather gentle, sweet kisses before blowing a raspberry onto my now sensitive skin.
