“Thanks, it means a lot, guys,” Kyler says, but he’s looking at me as he does so, the smile on his face growing bigger as he continues. It’s clear his next words are directed at me. “Because I really like us two together. And I’m not going to hurt you, I swear.”
“I really like us together too,” I repeat his words as I walk over to him and reach up to kiss him.
“Aw, I can’t deal with the cuteness,” Nolan swoons beside us, and we both laugh. “But Thea, you should know, you’re gonna have to endure the wrath of Millie because she ispissedshe didn’t know about the two of you.”
Ah, crap. I knew I’d have to face Millie sooner rather than later. I guess I’ll need to find my big girl’s pants and soon.
“Are we done here?” Jude asks. “Because I need a run. And I evidently need to buy some earplugs.” Everyone laughs which causes my brother to flip us off as he leaves the kitchen. I quickly run after him because even though the house meeting turned out to be light-hearted, I still need to check whether he’s okay with Kyler and me being together.
“Jude, wait up!” I call out after him.
“Yeah?”
“You sure you’re okay with this? Me and Kyler?”
Jude pauses. “Are you happy?”
“Yes. I am,” I reassure him.
“And he treats you good?”
“He does.”
“Then that’s all that matters, T. I want you to be happy, and if you are, then I’m happy too.”
Jude leans in and gives me a hug which I return. Relief washes over me not only because I have his approval but also because Kyler and I no longer have to sneak around. Jude lets go and is about to open the front door when it bursts open, and we turn to find Millie standing there, with her hands on her hips, one foot tapping the floor vigorously.
“Thea Annabel Jenson, have you been holding out on me?”
“Good luck!” Jude whispers as he passes Millie, leaving me to deal with her.
A few hours later, I’m lying in my bed, trying to get a head start on my homework in preparation for Monday’s class. It turns out Millie was equally as happy as the others were about mine and Kyler’s relationship status and was just putting on an act by pretending she was annoyed. Apparently, the four of them concocted this morning’s little charade together, but as Millie so eloquently told me, the consensus is, thank fuck they don’t have to put up with the sexual tension between us anymore. I happen to agree with them. It may feel like a small thing but having my closest friends and my brother’s approval means the world to me. Of course, it also means we no longer have to sneak around, because apparently, we weren’t doing a very good job of it, by all accounts.
A soft knock sounds on the door, and I look up just as Kyler walks in, still wearing his sexy-as-fuck sweatpants. He lies down beside me, and I close my textbook and turn on my side to face him.
“You and Millie okay?” he asks, picking up a lock of my hair and playing with it. The leather band I gave him at Christmas is tied around his wrist. He admitted a few days ago he doesn’t take it off and it’s the most meaningful gift he’s ever received which, in turn, made my heart bloom.
“Yeah, we’re good. She’s happy for us.”
“I’m happy for us too. They took it pretty well, huh?”
“Honestly? I’m surprised at Jude’s reaction. I’d have thought he’d have more to say.” Kyler sits up a little, and I guess he knows more than he’s letting on.
“Oh, trust me, Jude and I had a separate talk. Don’t be mad at him, Thea. He has every right to be worried. But we said what we had to say, and it’s all good.”
“Am I allowed to know what he said?” I ask, curiosity taking over.
“All you need to know is we have his blessing. And it means a lot to me.”
“Me too.” I lean over and kiss Ky, and as is the way with us, it quickly escalates to something a lot deeper. Before long, we’re entwined with each other and breathless from our kissing marathon.
“So, I was thinking,” Kyler says, his hand running up and down my side, gently tickling me. I don’t mind, though, because having his attention solely on me is the best feeling in the world. “How would you feel about coming with me to see Lacey tomorrow?”
I sit up quickly, turning to look at him.
“Seriously? You want me to meet your niece?”
“Yeah. I do. You’re both important to me, and I’d really like it if you met her.”