Her smile steals the breath from my lungs. “I did. It’s a good song.”
“It is,” I agree, squeezing my eyes closed, then steal my nerve to face my closest friend in Beckford. “How do you feel about this?” I ask when I finally look at him.
He releases a humourless laugh as he shrugs. “Does it matter?”
My stomach twists. “I never meant to?—”
“Save it,” he says with a sigh. “Juliet explained everything when she came looking for you. I won’t stop you if you feel the same way, but you better fucking look after them because I won’t hesitate to lay you out, mate or no mate.”
“I do,” I say without hesitation, looking down at the beautiful woman still wrapped around me. “Pixie, I’m so madly in love with you, it hurts. I’ve been gone for you since that first kiss, and I promise I’ll do whatever it takesto deserve you and Tinsley.”
Everett groans. “I don’t need to hear anything else. I’m going to crash at Em’s.”
He leaves the room, his heavy footsteps trudging up the stairs.
Not wasting another second, I swoop down and capture Juliet’s lips with mine, kissing her until we’re both breathless.
“Do you mean it?” I ask, peppering kisses over her cheeks and her nose. “You want to give us a real shot?”
“It won’t be easy,” she warns, gazing up at me. “Everett is convinced Edward’s going to try something with Tinsley, and if you’re in this with me, you’re going to need to trust me and support me, not try to save me. I need you to keep your head.”
My chest tightens, hating that she has to ask me to do that, but knowing she’s right. If I lose control, she could lose her daughter, and I’d never forgive myself if that happens. “I trust you. Whatever you need, I’m here for both of you. You’re an amazing mother, Juliet. Tinsley’s lucky to have you.”
“She’s going to be confused,” she says, biting her bottom lip, “when we tell her about us.”
“I’ll follow your lead, but we don’t have to rush anything.”
Juliet shakes her head. “I’m done hiding.”
Everett’s bedroom door closes above us, his footsteps returning to the stairs.
I press my lips to hers again before reluctantly pulling away. “Can you give me a second? I need to make sure Everett and I are okay.”
“Of course. I’m sorry for telling him without you, butwhen you didn’t answer your phone…” Her voice trails off, uncertainty flashing through her green eyes.
Guilt swirls in my gut as I remember my phone is on do not disturb. “I’m sorry,” I say, pulling it out and switching it to focus. It immediately starts vibrating with text messages and missed calls, not only from her, but my sister, my housemate, Noah, and Zac. “I needed time to think.”
Everett doesn’t say goodbye when he hits the bottom step.
I follow him outside to his car.
“Are we okay?” I ask as he tosses his overnight bag into the back seat.
He sighs before turning to face me. “I’d be lying if I didn’t say you hooking up with Juliet didn’t make me a little uncomfortable, but I’m more pissed you did it behind my back.”
“I’m sorry?—”
“Save it, Blake. I meant what I said in there. If you treat them right, we won’t have an issue.” He glances at the house before turning his attention to me. “Are you sure you want to get involved with her? My dad’s an arsehole, and he won’t be happy when he hears about you.”
My thoughts drift to the guy I treated on Monday night, and my fists clench. He has no right to question what Juliet does anymore, especially when he’s no saint. Blowing out a deep breath, I relax my hands and meet Everett’s gaze. “I tried to forget her. It made me miserable.”
He gives a grim nod. “Well, be ready to help her, because Dad’s planning something. He’s a stubborn bastard, and I wouldn’t put it past him to play dirty. I’m trying to find out so he doesn’tblindside her, but whatever it is, it’ll have something to do with pipsqueak.” He runs a hand over his face with a muttered curse. “I just wish he’d fuck off and leave us all alone.”
Him and me both.
“But we’re good?” I ask, holding out my hand.
“We’re good,” he agrees, shaking it.
