My dad looks at me with a serious, but kind expression. “Everything is good. Your mama and I want to talk to both of you about something. I know you think I’m crazy protective, and you’re right, but we know you are spending time at Declan’s house.”
I ease over to Declan and loop my fingers through his. He squeezes them, but keeps his stance.
“Ravenel, your safety is very important to us. We want you to be happy and safe at the same time.” My mom says quietly.
“Okay, that’s normal, but why are we both in here?” I ask my dad.
“Well, I want to install an alarm in Declan’s house and I want him to go through a firearms course. I wanted to talk to you about that together. “
Declan’s arms release in tension and my body tenses. How did we get to this? Declan doesn’t need to have an alarm or a firearm- he’s my boyfriend for God’s sake!!!
“Daddy, I think-”
“Already done, sir. I have a weapon on reserve. I’m just waiting on Robbie to approve it. If you want an alarm on my house, I’ll gladly pay for it.” Declan interrupts, surprising me.
“No need to pay for anything. I’ll have Finn oversee the install. As long as you’re together, no payment is necessary; it goes under family. Have you had any training on guns?”
As they talk, I learn that Declan had been to the local gun shop. He had taken lessons with the on-site trained professional. Apparently, he wanted a concealed permit for awhile. I’m impressed.
I get bored with the whole protection thing and whisper to my mom, “Mama, what do you think of all this?”
“I think you chose well. I can tell he’s crazy for you. Why don’t you tell me about the weekend?”
I spend the next half hour telling her all about our Thanksgiving, the party details, the karaoke, and the on stage serenade. Then I show her my new bracelet. She’s known I wanted the bracelet for some time now and she’s thoroughly impressed with Declan.
After my dad and Declan are done discussing firearms, we join everyone back in the living room. Its been a long day and I’m ready to go home. Tomorrow starts a grueling week of school for me, and Declan has plans to spend every day with the band getting ready for the show in Atlanta on Saturday.
Dad and Finn make plans to put in the new alarm system at Declan’s on Friday since both Declan and I will be available to be there. We talk for another half hour and then the boys and I say our goodbyes to my parents.
When Decl
an and I get to his house, he calls his dad and fills him in on the events of the weekend and our trip to Atlanta. He even sends him a small video clip from Friday night so he can watch Blake and Nate singing.
I send a quick text to let Abbi and Ella know I will be home tomorrow after school. I get an instant reply to thank me for staying here tonight because they invited Jimi and Will for dinner. I laugh, wondering who in that bunch is going to cook.
Declan prepares dinner and when it’s ready, we move to the couch and watch TV.
“So tell me, what’s up with Abbi and Ella?”
I’m not sure how to respond so I play dumb, “What do you mean?”
“Don’t play coy; I’m not blind. I know what I saw last night and this morning. I want to hear what you know.”
I stuff my face so I don’t have to answer.
“Raven, I saw Jimi with his hands all over Abbi and there was a definite shift in sleeping arrangements this morning. When we went to bed, Jimi wasn’t there. But when I went to get us water this morning, he was sleeping on the blow-up bed next to Kendall. And I noticed Will and Ella practically drooling over each other. So tell me, what you know?”
“Well… I don’t know much. I think Jimi and Abbi are into each other, but the Ella and Will thing is new. They just met on Thursday. Even though they were forced to spend a lot of time around each other this weekend, my guess is that they’ll take it slow.”
“This could put us in a weird position if things go bad with them. Just through circumstance. We all spend a lot of time together. With the new addition of Will, I’m not sure this is a good idea.”
“Declan Collins, don’t be a hypocrite! How do you think they felt when we started our thing? Don’t you remember all the drama? Remember our fight and the tension between everyone it caused? I think they’re adults. They can make their own decisions. You stay out of it.”
He looks at me for a minute and purses his lips. He looks upset, but shrugs his shoulders. “You’re right. I don’t know anything about their relationships. It could turn out as great as us and I certainly didn’t appreciate them getting into our business a few months ago.”
“Good boy.” I mock him.
“Boy, huh? Do I need to show you that I haven’t been a boy for about ten years? Especially not a good boy.” He puts his empty plate down and moves on the sofa to me.