Surviving (Surrender 2)

She turns her head and realizes she has an audience, and we immediately burst out laughing. I feel bad, but not bad enough to stop giggling.

Shelly shoots us an evil look and stomps away. A few minutes later a new waitress comes over to get our drink order. This is one we actually know and like. She hangs around when she brings the drinks and catches up for a while before going back to work.

Declan’s phone dings with a text and comes over to stand by me. He takes a protective stance and we all notice.

“They’re here.”

“Okay, let’s do this.” I try to get up, but he nudges me back.

“Raven, they will come to us. And to let you know, Charlie is not with them.”

My heart skips a beat. I hate fighting with my best friend, but I’m glad I don’t have to face her right now.

Blake, Nate, and Cooper join the table. Everyone says their hellos and a few hugs are given by the girls. When they get to me, they stop. All three are side-by-side, and they drop down to their knees at the same time. Each of them pulls out a flashcard and lines them up. Once all together they read:

We’re sorry, please forgive us, we love you!

I start laughing, and other people at the bar have gathered around to see what’s going on.

“Oh my God, you morons, get up! Come here.”

Each of them jumps up and race to hug me. Nate holds on the longest.

“Raven girl, I will never hurt or disappoint you again. It has been hell without you.”

“Okay, Nate, you’ve got your hug, let go of my girl.” Declan starts pulling on Nate to unglue him from me.

“Sorry, man, I needed some Raven love.”

“That’s about all you’ll ever get, back up.”

And just like that, things are back to normal. Now the only two people I have to talk to are Jay and Charlie.

Our waitress keeps our drinks full all night, and most of the guys get into a serious pool tournament while the girls dance.

As our designated drivers, Abbi, Jimi, and Tripp decide when it’s time to go. The exhaustion hits me hard, and I fall asleep on Declan’s chest. I don’t even wake up when he carries me to bed.

Chapter 13

I’ve Been Reading

It’s been four days since my argument with Charlie. I’ve picked up my phone a dozen times to call her but stopped myself. She’ll call me when she’s ready to talk, and I have a feeling all the words she screamed the other night was an out lash about something else.

Declan has not let me out of his sight since we got back to Nashville. He’s gone with me to get my books and get my finalized schedule from my advisor; he’s walked with me to each class to make sure he knows my buildings. He’s gone shopping with me and helped get unpacked from my trip, everything I do, he is right there. Tonight is family dinner with my parents. He’s asked me to stay at his house afterwards. His sisters’ are driving him crazy, and he wants privacy.

Tomorrow, Sayge has a meeting with Mike, and he’s invited me. I feel a little strange about it, but he insists everyone wants me there. They are going to hear their audio mixes from the studio in Charleston and pick the song Mike goes live with. Declan wants my opinion on the tracks, so I reluctantly said yes.

It’s not that I’m unhappy about going; I just don’t want to give influence on something so important. This is a decision Sayge needs to make.

When we get to my parents’ house, he hurries around the truck to open my door and links his hand with mine as we walk to the door. As soon as we walk inside, I smell the delectable aroma of spaghetti sauce. My dad greets us and invites Declan into the den to hang out with the men. I excuse myself to go help my mom.

“Hey, Mama, what can I do?”

“Not much left to do in here, but you can set the table.”

I take the silverware and plates and head to the dining room. Robbie, Declan, and my dad are discussing football in the other room. Poor Robbie is convinced the Titans are going to the playoffs this year and my dad and Declan are giving him shit.

When I get back to the kitchen, my mom has us each a glass of wine poured. She’s sitting at the island bar waiting on me.