I sighed, rubbing my cheek against Bellamy’s broad chest. “Sorry,” Imumbled.
“It’s okay,” he assured me. “Do you want to talk about it?” herepeated.
I shook my head. I did, but I didn’t. I didn’t want them to know how scared I was that they would leave me. That was something a girl who was weaker than I was would be afraid of. I shouldn’t be scared of that. I should be more concerned with Teddi and Grayson and my mom and literally anything other than whether or not my freaking boyfriends were going to leave me ornot.
“Princess…” I turned my head as Texas spoke. He reclined on the end of my bed, watching me with a soft smile. “Does this have anything to do with what you and Lizzie talked abouttoday?”
I froze and then narrowed my eyes. “How do you know about that?” I asked suspiciously as my tears stopped and I sniffedhard.
He grinned, unabashed. “I may have texted her after you got home,” he answered. “You seemed a bit off at dinner. She told me about yourworries.”
I blushed.That no good traitor,Ithought.
“Don’t be mad at her,” Texas said, sensing my mood. “She’s a goodfriend.”
“A good friend wouldn’t have blabbed to one of my boyfriends,” I said with narrowedeyes.
“She would if she knew we could help reassureyou.”
“Reassure her about what?” Marv demanded, soundingconfused.
“She’s worried that this whole deal with Teddi is going to tear usapart.”
My blush deepened. The next time I saw Lizzie, I was going to dunk her ass in a vat of hot, steaming cowcrap.
“Sweetheart.” I stiffened in Bellamy’s arms, but before I could tuck my chin, Bellamy’s fingers found it and turned me towards his face. “You’re not going to lose us,” he said. His rich brown eyes bore into my soul, making me feel warm and safe. I wanted to believe him—I really did. I knew my concerns and feelings were illogical. That didn’t mean I still didn’t feel them,though.
“Iknow…”
“Do you?” Marv asked, leaning in. Bellamy released my face so I could turn and look athim.
“Yeah,” I said. “I’m just…I’m sorry. I know I’m beingdumb.”
Marv shot forward and pressed a quick kiss to my mouth. I blinked as he backed away just as quickly. “You’re not being dumb,” hesaid.
Bellamy found my chin again, turned my face and gave me a kiss as well. “I agree,” hesaid.
As soon as he released me, Grayson took over—moving forward and pressing his mouth against mine and even going so far as to dart his tongue inside for a quick lick. I jumped in surprise, but he released me too fast for me to reciprocate. Texas was next—moving over to lean between me and the others and press a chaste kiss to the corner of mymouth.
“You worry too much, Spider-Monkey,” hechastised.
Finally, Knix leaned over all of their heads even as he used his two hands to push Grayson and Marv out of the way and pressed a hard kiss to my mouth. I closed my eyes and sank into the last kiss, relishing in it, absorbing it as though it could give me strength. In a way, itdid.
When he pulled away and I opened my eyes, I found him smiling softly at me while Grayson and Marv moved back into their places in front of me, grumbling, and shooting him killing glares. Just a month ago, they had been at each other’s throats, but now it was as though they had been friends forever. I shook myhead.
“Look at that,” Texas commented. “We all kissed you—in full view of the others, I might add—and the world didn’texplode.”
“I’m not worried about you guys!” I said quickly, the heat in my face doubling once more at Texas’ comment. “I’m worried about Teddi. About…what might happen if she doesn’t goaway.”
“We stick together,” Marv said. “All ofus.”
“That’s the plan, Little Bit,” Knix agreed. “Are you in orout?”
I looked up at him and then at the rest of them. I guess there was no helping it. My worries weren’t going to go away until we dealt with thebeast.
“Come on, Harlow,” Grayson said. “It’s now or never. You gottachoose.”
My heart slammed into my throat. The last time I had made a choice like that, I had chosen the guys. Grayson wasn’t a part of that then, but he wasnow.
“I’m in,” I said, earning happy smiles from the lot of them. I didn’t regret the choice I’d made then and I certainly wasn’t going to regret itnow.