“What the fuck for?”
“Not telling you. Making this mess of things.”
I shook my head slowly. “You remember how I told you I’d fuck things up and you said it was okay? Well, same goes, and you haven’t fucked things up, Jerrica.” I kissed her forehead, then the tip of her nose, then her lips. “This isn’t fucking something up, it’s just being human.”
She pressed her head against my chest, her arms around me now, and we just held each other, the feeling warm and comforting, and although my dick was getting some ideas, it seemed to know that this wasn’t the time to make a grand entrance.
“How about going downstairs? I think Nate and your parents want to make sure you’re okay.”
She nodded, moving her head back to look at me. “My parents like you. And I don’t think my brother wants to maim you either.”
My grin was anything but fake. “I’m aiming to keep it that way. You want a few minutes to freshen up?”
“Do I look a mess?”
“You look like you’ve been crying, but you’re still beautiful.” I brushed her cheek with my thumb, her skin soft.
“You’re biased.” She gave a half-laugh. “You’d think I was beautiful even if you saw me three chapters before I was about to write the end and I hadn’t showered for four days straight.”
“And your point?”
“There isn’t one.” She touched my jaw with her fingers. “I thought you’d end things after finding out today.”
“I think it’s going to take more than that.”
Jerrica washed her face and came downstairs, looking slightly apprehensive as she sat down with her family, this time taking a seat next to me. I slid my arm around her back and she leaned into me. This was the first time we’d touched like this in front of her brother in this way, and definitely in front of her parents. I glanced around at their faces, trying to read their thoughts, wondering if they’d think I was good enough for her.
“Genny’s called me with an update from the police.” Nate had his feet up on the coffee table, Amber’s legs over his. She looked half asleep and very, very pregnant. Nate also looked very relaxed.
“What’ve they said?” Jerrica had her head resting on my chest. She didn’t tense up like I thought she would, instead staying relaxed, soft.
“They went to Rosie West’s address — Jude was right, she had moved back to Manchester. They’ve brought her in for questioning.” Nate slid his hand up and down Amber’s leg. “Nothing is certain right now, but Genny seemed to think the police reckoned it was her.”
I felt tension pour out of Jerrica, my arms tightening around her so she knew I was there.
“I hope she gets support.” Jude was sat in a reclining chair, looking half asleep already.
I was surprised he hadn’t headed out with some of the others, heading to a few bars and then a club to celebrate.
Nate shook his head. “I just hope that if it’s her, she doesn’t get the chance to do this again.” He looked at his sister. “And you tell us if anything like this comes up.”
Her nod was barely there, but it was there. “I will. Don’t blame Genny. She wanted me to go to the police and I wasn’t up for it. But I’ll just hand anything over to the club like this going forward and take their advice.”
Nate nodded, sitting upright. “Sounds like Libbie’s out of bed.” He glared at Jude. “She’ll want to see you.”
“Girl’s got good taste.” Jude grinned. “Tell her to bring a book down and she can read to me.”
Which was what ended up happening, Jude sitting next to Libbie, helping her sound out words then reading her a story about a princess who saved everyone, no princes needed, before adding an extra ending where the princess went to bed without any arguments.
I watched Jude as he sat back down on the recliner, looking smug, like he should be christened the child whisperer or something.
“I always knew you liked princess stories.” I waited for his backlash.
All I got was a smile.
Jerrica and I made our way up to bed shortly after Libbie disappeared back up the stairs. I tried to stand tall, feeling incredibly self-conscious in front of her parents that I was sleeping in the same bed as their daughter.
No one in the room knew anything much about what we did in private. Nate may have had his suspicions, but I doubted he even gave them much of a detailed thought. I figured Amber would know something; Jerrica had already said she’d been hounded by some of the other women for details but had managed to not say too much. Even so, I felt awkward until we got into Jerrica’s room and locked the door.
