The skillet sizzles as he lays more bacon in the grease. How much bacon is he expecting us to eat?
He sets his tongs down and spins, arms settling around me. “I am?”
My lips press together, but the chuckle rises anyway. “Best ride I’ve ever had.”
A second passes before he gives way to laughter. His forehead drops to mine as it fades away. His voice lowers. “You nearly killed me, Joss.”
My heart squeezes, and I hug him tight. “I’m so sorry. I’d take it back if I could.”
A gentle hand runs over the back of my head. “You went through a lot today. A lot of emotions.”
I let out a slow breath. “Yeah.”
“So... are yousure, Jocelyn?”
Confused, I look up at him to find a guarded expression. “Sure?”
“I’m all in on this, but if you’re not sure, if you have doubts—” he caresses my cheek “—I don’t know if I’ll survive another rejection like that.”
Ugh. I really hate myself right now. His uncertainty, his fear— I did that. I can’t believe I hurt him, this beloved unicorn of a man, so I don’t give him another second to doubt me. “I’m all in. All yours. As long as you want. As long as you love me.”
A tiny smile flickers on his face. His eyes gleam with humor, and he busts into the Backstreet Boys song.
As long asyou love me.
I press a hand to his mouth. “Don’t be extra. Shh.”
Beneath my hand, his song morphs into the Justin Bieber tune, growing stronger by the second.
My giggle breaks loose. “I can’t take you seriously when you sing.”
“Oh, I’m serious.” The words are still smothered under my hand, but the look in his eyes is solemn. “Deadly serious. You’re all in with me?”
I nod. “All in. Submerged completely. One hundred percent.”
In one smooth move, he yanks my hand away and kisses me soundly. “I believe you, but break my heart again, Mattox, and we’re going to have a problem.”
Now that I’m homeless, I decide to skive off Team B relief efforts the following day. In fact, I let Cassie know I’ll likely need an extended leave of absence given I have no transportation or worldly possessions for the time being.
Asher, however, covers his shift like a good little doctor while I lounge in his clothes at his house, eating his food. Once he connects to the hospital Wi-Fi, he sends me distressing updates on my phone—somehow still functioning despite being submerged in floodwaters. Thanks, Apple. You da best.
I can’t make calls, but I can receive texts, and Asher’s are by far the funniest.
Traffic is insane
No streetlights
Hospital is still on generators
Legendary is down
Joss the sewers are backed up
Can’t flush.
People are shitting in bags
??
