Another brief quiet moment, then a soft sigh barely filters through before he says quietly, “Alright.” Garrick clears his throat, then. “Keep ‘em in line,Sunshine.”
I smile, even though he can’t see it, but Creed doesn’t miss it, and he gives my thigh another squeeze. “That’s a pretty big job, G.”
I smirk at Creed, who mouthsI’ll show you a big job, tipping his chin down and gesturing to the erection that’s starting to tent his joggers. A heavy blush rushes up, coating my chest and cheeks, but I shake my head and force myself to roll my eyes at his crude comment. Hot as fuck, but I can’t think about the beauty of Creed’s cock with his dad still present with us in the space of his SUV.
“I think you’ll handle it just fine,” Garrick responds playfully, but it only feeds into Creed’s dirty innuendo. “I’m a few hours from home, but I’ll text when I get there. Bring your boy home. Unplug and focus on healing.”
“That’s the goal, Pop.”
“Ew,Credence,” Garrick groans before hanging up on his son.
My shoulders shake with silent laughter for a moment, then Creed joins in. Before we know it, we’re both belly laughing. I’m not sure what could be so hilarious, but I’ve never felt happier than I do in this very moment. Creed is smiling.I’msmiling.There’s so much positive energy swirling around us that it could be a tangible thing. Despite the conversation with Garrick being light, I think I know the real reason we’re both feeling this way. It all boils down to the third piece to our little puzzle. Someone so sweet, he makes my teeth ache. Makes my heart pound.
Riley. Is. Coming. Home.
Today.
“Hallelujah,”I breathe as we come around the final corner of the winding drive that leads up to the facility.
“Excited, Stardust?”
“Like you’re not?” I fire back eagerly, ready to tuck and roll from the vehicle before we’ve even pulled into a parking spot.
“You know I am, baby.”
Creed drives up to one of the last spaces available in the back of the lot. Apparently, not only is today Riley’s discharge day, but it’s a rare day for visitors to see the patients as well. It’s a coordinated day to keep all traffic in and out of the building isolated to the one day. None of us had any clue that this was a thing here—fuck you very much, Pippa—but it doesn’t really matter, because while they are merely visiting, we get to bring our boy home.
Unbuckling, a sudden, hot wave of anxiety rips through me so fast that the color drains from my face. Turning to face Creed, his brows furrow when he takes in my sudden change in demeanor.
He opens his mouth, probably to ask me what’s wrong, but before he can form words, I blurt, “What if he hates me now?”
It’s absurd, really, but the thought creates its own validity in my mind.
I swallow. “Like, what if he blames me for everything he’s gone through and he’s changed his mind and wants nothing to do with me?”
At first, I think Creed might laugh at me, but his eyes soften as he reaches up to cup my jaw with his flawlessly inked fingers.
“There is no way in hell that the boy who’s about to walk out those doors could ever—neverin a million years— hate you. He’s had eyes for you from the moment you crawled into his lap at the club.” He smirks, brushing his thumb over my chin and lower lip. “He’s got it just as bad as you do, if not worse. Smitten from day one.”
He pops his door open and skirts around the hood, opening mine before I have a chance to even touch the handle, then helps me to hop down.
Creed’s arms band around me the moment my feet hit the pavement, wrapping me up in an embrace that instantly settles my nerves. His head tips up, and I can feel him smiling against my cheek.
“Turn around, baby.”
I don’t even need to ask why.
Spinning around, Creed releases me, just as a familiar figure materializes the second the glass doors open. Signature Vans, gray joggers sitting low on narrow hips, and a vintage band tee that covers the most beautifully freckled skin that I’ve ever seen.
When my eyes lift to Riley’s face, I’m gone. I take off at a sprint, ignoring the soreness in my newly reforming muscles and let my feet carry me to the man I’ve missed more than I could ever explain. A sob pushes through my smile when he starts to run, a pace that says he’s as desperate to close the distance between us as I am. Creed’s steps echo my own behind me. He could easily pass me up but follows my lead instead.
The closer I get, the more my eyes fill with tears. I rapidly blink them away because I don’t want to miss a thing when itcomes to Riley Graves. He was taken from me too many times, and I’ll be damned if I ever let him go again.
“Riley!” The cry of his name becomes a choked sob on my lips, cut off when I finally run into his open, waiting arms. We meet in the middle, arms banded around one another, and I’m drowning in his familiar scent that feels like warmth, love, andhome.
Because that’s where he is.
It’swhathe is.
