He smirks. “Fuck yeah. I’ll give her the knife, too.”
Everyone laughs except me. “What if she hurtsme?” An ache hits my chest at the thought, but Ellie squeezes my hand reassuringly before easing away to talk to the girls.
Penn slides next to me, clapping a hand on my shoulder. “Happy for you, man.”
I give him a flat look. “How long have you known?”
He sticks his hands in his pockets and shrugs. “Longer than you, probably.”
A grin pulls at my lips, and I sigh, glancing at my girlfriend. Shit, I have a girlfriend.
“It’s going to be ok.” Penn’s voice is low, only meant for me. “It’s worth it.”
I nod, knowing he’s right. Whatever happens or doesn’t happen, I’ll be ok. Because for some amount of time, I’ll have had her. That’s way better than never knowing what might have been, or shutting myself out of being this damn happy again—the happiest I’ve ever been.
Ellie laughs at something one of the girls says, then flicks her eyes over her shoulder at me. She smiles, making the ache in my veins loosen.
Yeah, I’m going to be fine.
63
ONE MONTH LATER
“Fan mail, Fuckers,”Tanner says, dumping a box of letters on the floor of my garage.
“Fan mail? Hell yeah.” I reach in, snatching a handful. I never thought we’d see the day. Didn’t know people still did this shit.
I sort through the pile no one else seems interested in. A few things are basic white envelopes addressed to Loose Threads, but there’s a ton of pink shit. I pick one up, it’s the size of a birthday card, and turn it over. There are lipstick kisses all over it, and it smells like strawberries. It’s addressed to Liam. I toss it to the side and grab another. Same thing. Before I know it, there’s a stack three feet tall for our drummer.
Most of this shit is for him!
Un-fucking-believable. I thought I was the favorite. “This is lame.” I climb to my feet, no longer interested in seeing all the shit that’s not for me.
“The fuck are those?” Penn points to the mail.
“For him.” I nod to Liam, whose eyes go wide.
“Me?!”
“Yes.”
He looks timid as he approaches the letters, picking one up and opening it slowly. I’m nosey as fuck, so I sidle up behind him and read over his shoulder.
Roses are red, violets are blue
If you give me a chance, I’ll make your dreams come true
“How fucking sweet,” I say flatly.
He laughs, but it comes out strangled. He tosses the card down and starts to walk away.
“Open another!” I demand, but he shakes his head. “Fine.” I snatch one and rip the seal. He doesn’t stop me, so I assume he’s not going to press charges. I pull the card out. Same stationery, same fruity smell. Obviously, the same chick is sending these. I bet she spent two hundred dollars on stamps.
“Roses are red, violets are blue, I hope you like the gift I left for you.” I glance at the mail, but there are no packages. “What gift?” I ask, turning to Liam. He shrugs. “You haven’t gotten any packages lately?”
“No.”
“That’s odd.” Then a memory hits me, and I gasp. “Underwear girl!”
