Jude: Good.
Jude: I hope it works out.
Me: It will.
Jude: Always so damn cocky.
Me: I know what’s up is all.
Jude: Haha. Whatever. Let me know if you need anything.
Me: Will do.
I grin at that as I tuck my phone back into my pocket, lifting my gaze to watch the door. I’m glad that Jude and Jayden still like Avery after our little spat of out-of-control emotions. It was intense, but it was a long time coming. Love isn’t perfect, no matter how great it feels, and we aren’t going to agree on everything. Like Jayden said to me, it doesn’t matter how bad the fight is, it matters how you make up. Two days of pure hell is enough for me. I want my girl and I’m ready to make up.
And we are going to make up hard.
When I see her, my heart stops in my chest as my face splits into a huge grin. I bounce faster as my grin continues to grow. My body breaks out in gooseflesh as her lips curve, her eyes intensely on me. And I decide I’ve never missed someone so much in my life. She looks beautiful like always, wrapped up in a thick jacket, a pair of jeans, and brown boots up to her knees. Her hair is back in a ponytail and she may look carefree, but she is walking in a short skirt and red heels in my eyes.
She’s fucking hot.
Unable to stay in place, I start for her, meeting her right in the middle of the road and gathering her in my arms. Squeezing me, she brings her arms around my neck, and our mouths meet at the perfect moment. As her fingers thread into my hair, my hands squeeze her, the thorn of the rose stabbing me, but I don’t care. All I care about is her mouth. I swear, this girl is never, ever breaking up with me again.
When she pulls back, I smile and she presses her forehead to mine. Sharing the same breath with her, I just feel so damn complete. But when I open my eyes, I see she is crying.
I’m gutted. “Don’t cry, baby.”
“I missed you,” she sobs, squeezing me tightly. “So damn much.”
“Me too,” I say hoarsely, my heart in my throat. Looking deep into her eyes, I can’t believe it’s only been three days since I saw her last. It feels like three years. As the tears fall down her sweet cheeks, I cup her face, wiping them away. Closing my eyes, I press my mouth to hers and drink from her sweet lips, her sob vibrating against me.
When a car beeps, we part and her eyes widen as my lips curve. I place her on her feet and wave at the disgruntled driver. I go to walk away, but I don’t like the new set of tears. That driver will just have to wait. Moving my hands along her cheeks, I wipe away her tears. “No more crying.”
She nods slowly as I hand her the rose. “For my Avery Rose.”
Her lips wobble as she takes it and smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “Thank you.”
I kiss her temple and she laces her fingers with mine, her other hand coming up to rest on my bicep and I smile. Laying her chin against my arm as we go to the passenger side of the car, she whispers, “Thanks for coming to get me.”
“Of course.” I kiss her once more before opening her door. “Let’s get out of here.”
“Okay,” she says as I throw her bag in the trunk and she gets in. I look over at her, and she is still crying. I don’t understand it. Before I can even question her, though, I see the faint darkness around her nose and a certain kind of rage consumes me.
“Your brother is on my hit list.”
She looks at me, pressing on her nose with her two fingers. “It doesn’t even hurt anymore. It just looks bad.”
“Still, he’s dead if I ever see him. You better hope it’s not at our wedding.”
I want her to smile, laugh. It’s a joke, but she shakes her head, her tears coming faster down her cheeks. “Please, like he would come.”
When a sob escapes her lips, I reach out for her, cupping the back of her neck. “Baby, are you okay? Is this about him?”
She makes a face, shaking her head. “Hell no, I’m just really tired and we have a lot to talk about,” she says, the last word coming out as a sob.
“We do.” I lean over and kiss her. I want to kiss away the tears, I want her to smile, but at least she melts into our kiss as my finger traces along her jaw. If she hadn’t, I would have been worried. If anything, this time apart has made me realize how much she means to me, and I’ll do anything to make it work.
She’s it.