Emerge (37 page)

Thinking back on Dane’s supportive words, knowing I can lean on him as much as I need to, my heart and mind feel lighter. I have to admit, there’s also a new feeling inside me, one I have yet to come to terms with, but like, knowing my mother kept up with me, cared about me, all this time. If I choose, I can see her, talk to her…maybe even hug her.

Now that all that’s settled, as much as it can be for the time being, I’m starving! I quickly freshen up just a bit and creep quietly down the stairs, unsure of where everyone in the house is right now. Skidding to a halt, I hear Bennett’s laughter in the kitchen. Shit! She and Tate will know I slept here, and—

“Get in here, baby!” his voice carries around the corner.

How does he do that?

Great, now I have to try and walk in casually, like I haven’t just been hiding around the corner. I hold up my head, throw my shoulders back, and glide in. Well, as close as I come to gliding. I needn’t have worried; Dane’s brilliant smile as I enter sets my soul at ease. I don’t care what anyone else thinks; that man loves me. He holds out an arm and I walk into it, wrapping mine around his waist and snuggling into his chest.

“Hello, roomie,” Bennett giggles. I peek at her and give a finger wave as Tate chuckles beside her.

“Tate!” I scurry around the island and wrap him in a hug. “You look great! How are you feeling?”

“I feel good, a little better every day,” he answers with a smile.

We’d come so close to losing him, and looking at him now, knowing how much he means to Dane, it makes me shiver. I make my way back to the sanctuary of Dane’s arms, silently laughing at myself. All of a sudden I am so touchy feely, and it feels so natural.

“So, what are you guys doing tonight?” Bennett asks.

Looking down at me, Dane waits for my answer. I flush a bit. “I want to sit in the hot tub,” I whisper.

He turns his head so fast I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t feel it tomorrow. “We’re going in the hot tub. You guys have a good night.”

Tate smirks at his brother’s polite dismissal as Dane pulls me toward the door.

This time in a bikini, I ease down into the hot water and let out a long moan.

“Are you sore?” Dane asks me sweetly, rubbing my shoulders as I lean back between his legs.

“If you mean what I think you mean, then yeah, kinda.”

“I’m sorry, baby.” He crooks his neck to kiss my cheek. “Thank you so much for enduring it. What you gave me,” he sighs, “was amazing. There’ll never be anything better, Laney, never.”

A tingle runs through me and I lay my head back against him. We stay in a long, comfortable silence until the sound of his voice actually jars me from almost asleep.

“Are you okay, with everything?” He runs his hands up and down my arms, kissing my temple softly.

I turn my face to him and smile. “I actually am. It’s a lot to take in, but having you, and my dad, I know I’ll be fine. I just need some time to process.”

He nods in understanding, giving me a gentle, comforting smile. “My strong girl, I love you.”

I kiss his nose, leaving my lips there and sigh contently.

“Will you invite your dad here for Christmas?” he asks.

I look at him questioningly. Not go home for Christmas?

“He can stay here. I’ll order in a big meal, anything you want.” His brown eyes are pleading with me.

“Okay.” The truth is I won’t leave Dane alone for Christmas for anyone, not even my dad. Dane is now my first priority. It’s crazy how a moment of instant clarity sneaks up on you and
poof—
you know exactly what you want. No doubts, no excuses, and no apologies.

“Okay?” His smile lights up his handsome features.

I giggle and nod eagerly. “We can’t do, um, anything while he’s here, though.”

“Then he’s not staying very long,” he teases, sinking his teeth into my neck.

Chapter 40

Gifted

~Laney~

D
ane ordered in a wonderful, catered feast that we enjoyed with Dad, Tate, and Bennett. Everyone laughed, stuffed themselves, and had a wonderful holiday. After the meal, I forced Dane to play some holiday classics on the piano which Bennett was all too happy to sing. Dad loved his hunting trip present and he got me a new fishing pole, batting gloves, and some money. It was an ideal time and I couldn’t have wished for anything better.

The next afternoon, I walked my dad to his truck, nervously bouncing from one foot to the other. I’d never told my father a major lie in my life and had certainly never asked him to cover for me, but that mold had now been broken. I begged him to please pretend, if anyone happened to ask, that I was sick with the flu. He knew exactly who I meant by “anyone.” I was now with Dane for good, and I just couldn’t bear to break Evan’s heart over the holidays, so my plan was to lay low. He’d agreed, but only when I promised to make things right as soon as possible. His hesitation had nothing to do with my choice in Dane, he seemed to really like him, but he thought the world of Evan and didn’t support me dragging out any more pain than necessary.

I agree completely, hurting Evan couldn’t be farther from my goal, but who rips someone’s heart out over Christmas? Not to mention, I’m not going to tell him over the phone or via text, and if I try to go home to tell him, Dane will want to come…and I’m not “ganging up” on Evan. I’ll tell him, alone, when it’s right. Until then, I’m just gonna have to live with the self-attached title of Chicken-shit.

“You ready for bed, baby?” Dane sneaks up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist.

“Mhmmm,” I answer, exhausted. It’s been a long day and I can’t think of anything in the world I want to do more than snuggle in with him. I shriek as he sweeps me up in his arms, carrying me up the stairs into his bedroom. He sets me down in the bed, gently pushing me back and tucking the covers under my chin before walking around and climbing into his side.
His side.
A sleepy smirk sneaks up on me when I think about the fact that I just labeled the sides of his bed.

His breathy, whispered words once he’s tightened up against my back get my attention. “If you’re tired, I understand. But if not, your Christmas present is under your pillow.”

Well now he knew he had me at “present.” My eyes pop open. “You got me a new outfit. And let’s not forget you found my mother. I’d say you’ve met the present quota.” I roll over and smile at him.

“So you don’t need any more presents then? That’s okay; I’ll just give it to Bennett.” He slinks a hand under the pillow to nab
my
present so I roll over, pulling him on top of me.

“Very funny, smarty-pants. You know I want that present so bad I can’t see straight, but I wanted to make sure you also knew that you’ve already done too much.”

“Baby, I could shower gifts on you every single day and never give you enough. You’re my world and I love making you happy.” He starts kissing my neck slowly, softly, and I forget what I was going to say. “So you’ll take your present, right?”

“Of course I will, but you already knew that, you big tease.” I poke him in the ribs. He rolls onto his back, taking me with him so I now sit on top of him, straddling his hips. He reaches under my pillow and does pull out the gift this time, handing it to me. Gripping my hips, his eyes glaze as he licks his bottom lip. “Open it right here, where I can stare up at you.”

Fumbling, I unwrap it and gasp, my hand flying to my mouth. I shake my head and giggle. “You got us tickets to Hawaii?”

He nods and leans up to lift my shirt slightly, placing a kiss on my stomach. “Two weeks, me and you, in Kauai.”

“But when? I mean, I have school soon. And you, don’t you have work?”

His lips never leave my body, kissing and nipping my belly, waking up every butterfly, so his words are said into my enflamed skin. “Look at the dates on the tickets, baby. We’re going during your Spring Break.”

Sure enough, the tickets are dated for exactly when I have almost two full weeks off. My heart beats faster and delight coats my face. He’d booked these tickets when? Before I officially chose him? I’ll bet he did; a giant leap of faith in “us.” He was sure we’d be together months from now. Not that he’ll top Disney World, he simply never will, but he upped the stakes. He sees us as a “we,” and planned this trip, his future, on that. Knowing he really is as invested in me as I plan to be in him mentally excites me, the message soon reaching the rest of my body. I toss the tickets to the side and collapse on top of him, thanking him properly.

T
he next morning I wake with a stretch, frowning when I realize I’m alone. A quick scan confirms Dane isn’t in the bedroom or bathroom, and while I’m anxious to go find him, I also realize it’s the perfect time to reach out to Evan. Dane doesn’t give me much alone time and I know Evan’s wondering why I’m not home for break, so I need to say something to him.

I find my phone on top of Dane’s dresser and turn it on to madly scroll through all the text messages from Evan. Yup—he wants to know where I am. It takes about five attempts at a message, deleting and starting again, before I’ve got one my conscience can live with and I hit send.

Laney: Merry Christmas Ev! My dad came here for Xmas & that kept me busy. Now I’m sick so just gonna stay here, but I’ll call you soon. Need 2 catch up on things. Hug your parents for me and have a gr8 break! J

That’s all I can say right now and I just hope it placates him enough where he can enjoy his time at home until I figure out a way to talk to him face to face. Who knows, maybe he’s met someone, too? Surprisingly, that thought doesn’t make me sick, but rather makes me smile. I do so want Evan to be happy, loved, and cherished. He’s worthy of a woman looking at him the way I now look at Dane.

Dane! I flick my phone off and shove it under my pillow, and after a half-assed attempt at straightening my clothes and hair, I scamper down the stairs to search him out. My body already tingles at the thought of finding him.

“Well hello, sleepyhead.” Bennett beams at me from her perch at the kitchen counter.

“Hey, B, where’re the boys?”

“I don’t know, some Top Secret mission, said they’d be back in an hour. I made it very clear Tate can’t handle any more activity than that.” She snaps her fingers. “Oh, and Dane said to tell you, and I quote, ‘she looked like Heaven so I didn’t want to wake her, but I’ll be back soon and I love you.’ So sweet, Laney, you’re so lucky.”

“That I am.” I blush. “I’m gonna jump in the shower then. What are you gonna do?”

“I think I’ll enjoy the hot tub,” she teases, “since it’s actually free.”

I head upstairs with a chuckle. She’s right—I do love that hot tub.

Chapter 41

Caretaker

~Evan~

P
oor Laney, sick on break. My truck can’t make it to her fast enough. I’d decided to surprise her and just show up with some soup, Kleenex, medicine, and a huge stack of movies. I hate that she isn’t feeling well, but my skin still tingles in anticipation of seeing her. My arms ache to wrap around her, hold her,
fuse
her to me. And her Christmas present? My hands shake at the thought of watching her open it.

I might as well have been driving backwards as long as it took to get here, but my frustration lifts with every step I take towards Laney’s dorm. My girl is inside there, sick and needing me. I try the door, but it’s locked. Growling, I glance around, my eyes desperately seeking out someone to let me in. I could call her to come down and let me in, but then she’d have to get out of bed in her bad health, let alone ruin the surprise, so I opt to mill around and pray someone will come by soon.

Thankfully, I only have to wait about ten minutes when I see him approaching. I know this guy; he was at the club and the hospital the night I was there with Laney. I remember their interactions, he’s her good friend.

“Hey, man.” I stick out my hand as he approaches.

“Hey, um, Evan, right?” he asks, returning my handshake.

“Yeah, and you’re—”

“Sawyer Beckett.”

“That’s right, good to see ya. Laney’s sick, so I came to surprise her, and take care of her. You mind letting me in?”

His expression is confused. He quickly recovers, but I didn’t miss it. “Um…” He looks at the ground, feet shuffling. I stay silent, waiting impatiently for what he’ll say next. The instinctual ache in my chest tells me I’m not going to like it. “Laney’s not here, man.”

Is that it? I blow out in relief. So she ran to the store, or…doctor? Now I’m worried again. “Well, where is she? She’s sick, where could she be?”

Sawyer rubs the back of his neck nervously, his eyes bouncing everywhere but in my direction.

“Please, tell me, man. I came a long way and I’m worried about her. Help a guy out,” I implore him.

“Sit down.” He motions to a bench just behind us, which I reluctantly move to and sit on. My leg is bouncing up and down while I wait for him to continue. “I think the world of Laney, she’s the coolest fucking girl ever, and I don’t make a habit of being friends with chicks. So, I’m not looking to betray her or get up in her business exactly.”