Surviving (Surrender 2)

“Where are y’all meeting?”

“Not sure yet.”

“Meet here. I’ll stay out of your way.”

“No way, last time we met here, you invaded my space and wouldn’t stop touching me.”

He comes up behind me and puts his arms around my waist. Even though he dried off, I can still feel the heated dampness on his skin. My body automatically reacts and I sink into him.

“I promise to be good, I’ll even feed you guys. I like it much better when you’re safe at home and not driving on the wet roads after dark. And if you get done early, we can all watch Monday Night Football.”

“I’ll mention it and see if everyone agrees. It’s probably a no-brainer if you’re cooking.”

He kisses my head and goes to the bedroom to get dressed. I get ready for school quickly and meet him in the kitchen where he has my coffee and breakfast waiting for me.

“I’ll drop you at school and you can text me when you want me to pick you up. I need to head down that way and drop some stuff off at MJ’s office.”

“That’s great. Don’t forget the reporter from the Tennessean has a draft of her interview that’s going to be printed this Friday. She’s emailing it to all of us. Make a point to talk to the guys and see if there’s anything that needs to be tweaked.”

“Got it.”

“And call the caterer and confirm a tasting for next week.”

“Got it.”

“You sure? Shouldn’t you write this down?”

“Babe, you programmed it into the calendar on my phone and you’ve reminded me a hundred times. I. Got. It.”

“Fine, let’s go before I’m late.”

After my last class, I text my group and we meet at the library. I mention Declan cooking and MNF, Brent, Kyle, and Mari all agree to come over later.

When Declan picks me up, he’s wearing a black beanie on his head, and it’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen. Sometimes I can’t believe he’s mine.

“Like what you see?” He breaks me

out of my stupor.

I nod my head and crawl across the front seat to kiss him. I only pull away when the windows start fogging. I don’t move, I stay in his lap and wiggle against the bulge in his jeans.

“What was that for?”

“I can’t even explain it. When I saw you in that beanie, I needed to kiss you.”

“I’ll sew this thing on my head if that’s the reaction I get.”

I giggle and move back to my seat. His phone rings in the console and it’s my dad. He answers on speaker.

“Hey James, you’re on speaker with Raven and me.”

“Y’all driving?”

“We’re on our way home, what’s up?” I ask.

“I have some bad news. Our lawyer called and they want to move up your meeting with Christie to tomorrow. I didn’t get a reason.”

My stomach drops. There’s no way I can get out of school. I look over at him and his face is blank.