Surviving (Surrender 2)

“Declan?”

“Yeah, babe?”

“I love you. I’ll be home soon.”

“Love you, too.”

I kiss her gently and squeeze her ass closer to me. She pulls back too soon for my liking, but I know it’s in poor taste to make out in her driveway.

I tell her to call me when she’s on her way, and I leave.

Abbi has sent me a list of things she needs, so I stop by the store before I get to their house. I make a special stop at the florist to pick up an arrangement of Stargazer lilies.

When I get to the house, women are everywhere. Abbi, Ella, Charlie, Kendall, and Harper are all setting up food and drinks and hanging a banner from the ceiling that says “Welcome Home.” Kendall and Harper must have driven up today for the surprise.

I drop off my grocery items in the kitchen and unload Ravens bags to take to her room. As soon as I enter, the sense of familiarity overwhelms me. My stomach clenches when I see her bed and the frames of us on each nightstand. One that catches my eye is one of her favorites. Charlie snapped it when we announced our engagement on New Year’s Eve, and she’s so gorgeous and glowing in the picture. Out of habit, I reach down and feel her ring still in my pocket.

I wanted to slip it back on her finger the minute we reunited in Atlanta, but it didn’t feel right. It might kill me, but I know once she’s wearing it, she’ll never doubt me again.

I walk back into the living room and offer my help, and I’m pushed to the kitchen to ice down the coolers. Abbi and Ella come in, and I can see the question in their eyes.

“Yes, we’re back together.”

Abbi looks uncomfortable, but it doesn’t stop her from asking, “What about Finn?”

“In a roundabout way, I guess I need to thank that fucker. He pushed her back to me. She really thought we were on a break this summer and thought all along I had moved on. Even with all my messages, she was uncertain. He took care of her when she was hurting and didn’t take advantage of her.”

“Should we invite him over tonight?” Ella asks.

“If he was here, then yeah. But he decided to stay in France. Raven’s really shaken up about it so don’t mention it tonight. I’m surprised Jimi didn’t tell you, Abbi.”

“I don’t think he knows. Finn hasn’t returned his calls in a few days.”

“Declan, what are you going to do about the guys in the band?” Ella sighs as she asks.

“Tonight’s not the night. She needs to be surrounded by friends and people she loves. You’re lucky I’m even allowing this. If I had my way, she’d be locked in my house for a week of reconciliation. I’m really not ready to share her yet.”

“Well, you better get over that attitude really fucking quick, hunky hotness.” Charlie says as she comes to the kitchen. “You’re not the only that missed her. I’m tempted to call NNN just to get her to ourselves.”

I glare at her knowing if I say what I really want, she’ll follow through on her threat. Naughty Nightie Night is sacred and even I don’t have a say in it.

My glare does nothing to dissuade her, and she laughs in my face.

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“Good thing Blake and Raven like you because otherwise you’d be a pain in my ass.”

“Someone’s got to keep you in check.”

I don’t have time to respond because my phone chimes with a text from Raven saying she’s leaving her parent’s.

“Raven’s about twenty minutes away, so what else needs to be done?” Charlie and Abbi look around but shake their heads.

“Nothing. Robbie, Tripp, Gabe, and Jimi just got here. Meet her out front when she drives up.”

I go to greet the rest of the guys and open a beer. I’ve been nervous about how my relationship with Robbie would be after what happened this summer, but he thought his sister was stubborn and should have talked to me. At one point, I think he actually felt sorry for me. Of course, that was probably when I called him drunk as shit begging to tell me where Raven was staying so I could go to her. This is the first time I have been around all the guys together but nothing is different. I have a feeling Finn told them she was coming back to me, but since Jimi didn’t know, I can’t be sure.

When Raven drives up, Robbie goes with me to greet her. As soon as she sees him, she runs over and jumps in his arms. He hugs her tight, and she sniffles. When she pulls back, she has tears on her cheeks but is smiling. I would do anything to have that smile on her face all the time.