Boarded by Love (Bellevue Bullies 1)

We both look over at Jayden, and I love the grin that sits on Claire’s face. It’s a playful one. “Yup, he apparently likes me.”

“I know. He talks about you all the time.”

I glare at my brother, but Claire seems to like that. Looking over at me, she runs her thumb along my jaw. “He’s pretty great.”

“Yeah, my mom is excited to meet you,” he says and then takes a swig of his beer with no cares in the world. Acting as if he’s saying it’s a beautiful night. Damn asshole.

Claire glances at me, surprised, and I set Jayden with a look that could kill. “Thanks, asshole.”

“Oh, you hadn’t told her yet that you promised to take her to dinner with our family?”

“Oh wow,” she mutters, and I swear my brother is going to be sleeping in the tub for the next couple weeks.

Meeting Claire’s surprised gaze, I say, “Yeah, is that okay? Sorry, my mom asked, and I said I’d ask you.”

“When?”

“Next week. She’s excited to meet you, but I get it if you don’t want to come.”

“No, it’s not that, it’s just, wow, your mom.”

“And family,” Jayden adds, and I flip him the bird.

He laughs before taking a swig of his beer. Ignoring him, I look back at Claire. She works her lip and then meets my gaze again. “Sure, I’d love to.”

I smile as my heart beats loudly in my chest. I don’t know why I thought she would say no, but I did. I’m usually so confident with girls, but with her, I’m nervous and unsure of myself. It’s a new feeling, one that I’m learning means I actually care for this girl. I hug her tightly in my arms as she leans back into me, and I can feel everyone staring at us. I know it’s new and weird for me to be so into a girl, but people are going to have to get used to it. Claire is someone special.

My game changer.

Kissing her ear, I nibble on her lobe before saying in her ear, “You don’t have to come.”

Why did I say that?

She looks back at me and smiles. “I want to.”

“Promise?”

“Swear it.”

We share a smile before she leans over and gives me a soft, sweet kiss on my lips.

“Who’s ready for some singing?” Matt yells as he throws a twenty on the table. I fish my money out and throw two down for Claire and me.

“What’s that for?”

“The buy-in. We sing three songs from each category. Last week’s winner picks, and you can’t look at the screen once or you’re out. You get extra points if people cheer for you. Hannah is the judge.”

She makes a face. “Extreme karaoke.”

“Yeah, that’s how we roll,” Jayden says. “Extreme karaoke, beer pong, roller hockey, we’re extreme kinda guys.”

“Sounds like my kind of fun,” she says with a grin before looking over at me. “I’m superexcited.”

“Good, so I guess I’ll be a gentlemen and let you go second so I can show you the ropes of how to sing a good karaoke song.”

She laughs, her body vibrating against mine. “How sweet of you. But get ready to be schooled.”

“Uh-oh! I think Jude has been challenged,” Jayden says and I roll my eyes.