“Glad you two could make it,” Maddox says in greeting as he pulls the door open and steps aside so we can enter. He tells us that food should be arriving soon, and we split up, Theo and him going off to watch the game in the living room while I join Bailey, Livvy, Stella,and Syd in the kitchen. They’ve all got wine glasses in their hands, hovering over what looks to be a bunch of luxurious white fabric swatches on the counter below.
“Oh, thank God you’re here,” Bailey says in relief, waving me over. “I need your opinion.”
My brows pull tight. “Me?” I ask, my tone laced with confusion. Aside from the occasional question about which liquor to use in mixed drinks at the club, I can’t think of a single time someone has sought out my advice on anything.
“Yeah,” she replies, spreading the pieces out so I can see. “I’ve decided on two different wedding dresses. I’m having a designer alter the one that Jett’s mom wore, and I’ll wear that at the reception. But I can’t decide which of these I like best for the ceremony. Give me your vote before I sayfuck itand marry this man in my underwear.”
Warmth expands throughout my chest, a cocktail of emotions that I’ve only felt in the midst of this group prickling behind my eyes. Thanks to them, I now get to experience things I’ve longed for since I was a kid.
Acceptance.
Belonging.
Love.
It may seem silly, but the fact that Bailey values our friendship enough to ask for my input is something I’ll never forget, and my heart is unbelievably full because of it. It’s comforting to know that—although my future remains so uncertain—I’ve found a safe place right here with the Renegades.
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I step upbetween her and Sydney, running my fingers over each piece thoughtfully. They’re all so beautiful, and I know without a doubt that there isn’t a wrong answer, because she’ll look like a princess in whatever dress she wears. But it’s the soft floral lace adorned with small white rhinestones that screamsMrs. Jett Kingsley.
“This one,” I declare, pointing at the small square. “It’s perfect.”
“I told you,” Syd sasses, popping the tab on a can of strawberry sparkling water and pouring it into a wine glass for me. I thank her with a smile, letting the bubbles tickle my nose as I take a sip. “Finley and I obviously have superior taste. Your dress is going to be epic, thanks to us.”
“It’s settled, then,” Bailey replies, clearing the counter. “Now, can we please talk about Luke Pritchard’s wife screaming at the suite security guard because he wouldn’t let her entourage come in? She had one social media post blow up two years ago, and now she thinks she can raise her voice at the staff whenever she wants.”
“I’d rather freeze my tits off with the fans than be anywhere near her negative energy,” Stella says, tipping back the rest of her wine.
I laugh in response, but it’s cut short when I feel something push against my palm that’s resting haphazardly on my tummy. It happened a few times this past week, but only when I was alone, so I wasn’t able to share it with anyone.
“Theo!” I shout, causing all the girls to whip their heads in my direction.
“Are you okay?” Livvy asks, concern falling over her features, but I’m gone in an instant, running toward the living room as fast as my feet will carry me.
“Theo! Hurry!” I call out as I skid around the corner in my socked feet, just in time to see him shoot off the couch like his ass is on fire. He practically trips over Emmett as he shoves his way past, rushing to my side.
“What’s wrong?” he says, his eyes wide with worry. “Is it the baby?”
I grab his wrist, bringing his open hand to my stomach and holding it there. He looks down at me, brows knitted in confusion, until finally, it happens again. A great, big kick—so strong that it almost takes my breath away.
“Holy shit,” he chokes out, that gorgeous, dimpled smile stretching from ear to ear. I nod in response, tears of happiness blurring my vision when she does it again.
Kneeling down in front of me, he places his hands on the sides of my belly, leaning in close so she can hear. “Hey, baby girl,” he rasps, his voice so full of emotion that it makes my chest ache. “I’m your…” His eyes squeeze shut, and he swallows thickly, pushing down the thing he really wants to tell her—that he’s her daddy.
The whole room looks on with bated breath, every one of us silently hoping that he’ll take this moment for himself and say the word—because he deserves it more than anything.
But he doesn’t. Instead, he leans in, pressing his lips to the exact place where he felt her kick in the sweetest, gentlest kiss. “I love you so much,” he whispers. “I can’t wait to meet you.”
I don’t think there’s a dry eye in the house when he stands, pulling me into his arms and burying his face in the crook of my neck. Every time I think I’ve seen the limits of this man’s perfection, he shows me more, and I fall all over again. My heart never stood a chance against Theo Calloway, whether I wanted it to or not.
“She loves you, too,” I say quietly, deepening the embrace and hoping like hell he can feel everything I’mnotsaying. He isn’t like the others I’ve let into my life, claiming that I’d be okay without them when they inevitably walked away. If that day ever comes with Theo, he’ll take a piece of me with him wherever he goes. And as scary as that is, I’d still choose to give it to him a hundred times over.
He leans in slowly, giving me plenty of time to back away if I want to. But fuck that. Everyone here just saw what happened, and I’m tired of denying the connection we’ve built. I may not know what tomorrow brings, but today, I want to kiss him like nothing else matters.
So, that’s exactly what I do.
Without another thought, I yank him to me, fireworks exploding behind my eyes as soon as our lips collide. Strong hands grip onto the fabric of my shirt, holding tight as we devour one another like there’s nobody else in the room. My heart swells, and my knees go weak, a million emotions pouring into the kiss, so he knows exactly how much he means to me.
After what seems like seconds and hours all at once, we pull away, both breathless as we return to awareness. I cringe internally when I remember that we havean audience, slowly turning my head to find every one of our friends staring with smiles on their faces. Of course, it’s Sydney who breaks the ice, always knowing how to make an awkward moment even worse.
