“I mean, you didn’t even soften the blow,” I say. “I can’t take it.” I can’t even say it with a straight face, so I lay my head on Dex’s arm.
“You’re a dumbass,” Dex laughs, pushing my head off with his elbow. He looks in the mirror at Les. “Are you okay with that?”
“Yes.” She nods, then shakes her head. “No.” She blows a breath out. “I don’t know.” She runs her fingers through her hair. “I still feel like I’m doing something wrong and cheating on you guys.”
“We never want you to feel like that with Zane. We want you to have this because you need this.”
She throws her hands up. “What about you guys? This isn’t what you want. What about what you need?”
“Baby girl,” Dex says, pulling into the garage at the house. He throws it into park, turning in the seat to face her. “We have what we need, and that’s you. Any of us will do whatever we need to make sure you get everything you deserve from this life,” Dex declares, making tears spring into her eyes again. He reaches back and grabs her hand. “Don’t ever feel bad for going after what you want. Everything will work out,” he sighs. “Even if it’s with that small dick fucker,”
That makes her giggle again, even if it’s a little watery. “It’s not that small,” I say. I saw what was pushing against his jeans.
She makes a choked sound and shakes her head. “It’s not.”
“Fuck,” Dex grouches. “I’m done with both of you.”
Les and I grin when he gets out of the car, and I know the disaster is averted. Les just needs to get past her own mind; none of us are standing in her way anymore.
As soon as we walk into the house, Les starts yawning. “Where to, Pretty girl?”
“I think I need to see Ryder.” I know she’s most worried about him. It makes sense she’ll want to make sure he’s okay first.
We find him and Holden asleep in Ryder’s bed, so Les slips off her jeans and crawls between them, tucking her head on Ryder’s arm. He wraps an arm around her, pulling her closer, while Holden molds himself to her back. And because I can’t help myself, I strip down to my boxers and slide onto the bed behind Ryder, spooning against him with my hand resting on Les’ hip.
“What the fuck, Gage?” Ryder says sleepily.
“Shhhh. Just let it happen,” I tell him, seeing Les’ shoulders shake with silent laughter.
“If I feel your dick poke me in the ass, I’m shoving you off the bed,” Ryder threatens then looks down at Les. “What’s so funny?”
“You’re the little spoon!” she howls, causing Holden to lose his battle and laugh too. I can’t get over the sweet sound of her laughter filling the room.
“Shut up,” Ryder fake growls, making her laugh harder. He looks over his shoulder at me, and I see the relief in his eyes. I know it was killing him that she was with Zane, but he was tucking that away for her. He turns to her and snuggles closer, burying his face against her neck. “You smell like him.” Her entire body goes rigid; he smooths a hand down her side. “It was just an observation. Did he treat you right?”
“He did,” she mumbles against his chest.
“He made her that bologna sauce,” I tell them, and Les loses it again.
“He made what?” Holden asks, sitting up on his elbow behind her, looking like he’s trying not to laugh.
“You know that shit she likes? The bologna sauce.”
“It’sBolognese, dumbass,” Ryder chuckles.
“Whatever. He made that for her.”
“Was it good?” Ryder asks her, and she nods her head. “That motherfucker.”
I laugh because that was my thought. “He’s laying it on thick.”
“Oh my god,” Les groans. “Shut up.”
Ryder tips her chin up. “We’re just joking,Il mio sole. You deserve to be spoiled.”
Holden settles back in behind her. “She deserves someone that can fucking cook in this house.”
“Are you okay with this?” Les asks Ryder softly. I freeze, not moving a muscle, afraid of what he might say.
