“It’s no different from me living with Jase, Noah, and Kao,” Jade argues.
“Yeah?” Uncle Rhett gives Jade a sardonic look. “You’re not kissing them.”
I try to hide my smile, but I fail miserably, which has Uncle Rhett glaring at me. “I’m still not happy.”
“Oh, Rhett, hush,” Aunty Evie says as she gets up and walking over to us, I quickly rise to my feet. She wraps me in a hug, and says, “I’m glad it’s you, Hunter. I was so worried when you kept fighting with each other. I can’t tell you how relieved we are to hear you’ve made peace.”
“That’s not the kind of peace I had in mind, Evie,” Uncle Rhett complains.
“Ignore him,” Miss Sebastian says as she comes to hug me as well. “Just take good care of my god-baby, or I’ll tan your bedazzled ass with my diamond-studded belt.”
I choke as I try not to laugh, but when Dad cracks up, I’m unable to keep it in.
Miss Sebastian lovingly pats my cheek, then she darts past me. “My god-baby finally got her own chunk of hunk.”
My gaze turns back to Uncle Rhett, and when he gets up, I quickly walk to him. “I’ll take good care of Jade. I promise.”
A grin spreads over his face, and he pats me against the shoulder. “I’m just fucking with you. We all knew you were dating the instant you asked us to meet here.”
My lips part, and then I just shake my head. “You had me there for a while. Good one.”
Dad gets up and comes to stand by us. “I’m not gonna lie, the bets were up in the air whether you’d kill each other or finally admit your feelings.”
“Who won?” I ask, giving them all a playful glare.
“We did,” Mom says as she wraps her arm around Auntie Evie’s waist.
“Yeah,” Dad admits. “Your Mom never doubted for a minute that the two of you would sort out your shit.”
“How did you know, Mom?” I ask, a burst of love filling my heart because she never doubts anything I do.
“You’re my son, Hunter, and even though you inherited your father’s stubborn streak, you got my patience.”
“Patience my ass, Hunt,” Dad grumbles at Mom, calling her by her maiden name, which is also his nickname for her. “You gave me hell when we first started dating.”
“Because you deserved it,” Mom snaps back.
I let out a chuckle because I know where this argument is heading. Turning my attention back to Uncle Rhett, I hold out my hand. “So, you’re okay with us dating?”
He shakes my hand and then pulls me in for a hug, whispering, “I’m more than okay with it, Hunter. I know how hard you fought for Jade.”
I wrap my arms around him, hugging him back. “Thanks, Uncle Rhett.”JADEWhen Aunty Kingsley sits down next to me, Mom and Mamma G leave me to fend for myself as they escape to the kitchen. My eyes dart to the sliding door leading out to the veranda where Hunter is grilling steaks with our fathers.
Suck it up, Jade.
I give Aunty Kingsley a nervous smile, and ask, “Are you really okay with us dating?”
“Before I answer that question, I have something to say,” she begins.
I meet her eyes, staring into the same blue irises as Hunter’s, and prepare myself as best I can for whatever’s coming.
“You went through something awful, Jade, and Hunter was there for you. I just want to make sure you really love my son, and that you’re not just grateful for what he’s done.”
I shake my head and have to take a deep breath when I’m overcome with emotion.
Who knew it would be so intense talking to Hunter’s mom.
I clear my throat and shake my head again. “I love him, Aunty Kingsley. So, so much.” My eyes lower to my lap for a moment before I meet hers again. “I wouldn’t have survived it without him. I admit that. But what I feel for him… it’s because he’s the most amazing man I know. He’s my sun, and without him, my life would be a frozen wasteland.” I take a moment to gather my thoughts, not wanting to screw this up. “I… I just love him so much.”
Aunty Kingsley stares at me for a long moment, then she whispers. “Please don’t hurt him again.”
A lump swells in my throat, and I swallow hard on it as my tears blur. “Never again. I promise I’ll do everything in my power to make Hunter happy.”
“Just love my baby,” she says, her voice straining with unshed tears.
“I will. I’ll love Hunter with all of my heart,” I promise.
Aunty Kingsley reaches over, and I quickly hug her back. We hold onto each other for a while, then she whispers, “I’m so happy you’re dating Hunter.”
“Is everything okay in here?” Hunter suddenly asks.
Aunty Kingsley and I pull apart, and she nods at him, giving him a loving smile. “Everything’s fine.”