Pulling into my parents’ driveway, I see the gang’s all here. “Perfect. Everyone’s here. We can tell them all at once.”
“How are we doing this?”
“I have no plan.” I laugh. “Let’s just play it by ear.”
She shrugs. “I’m in.”
We reach for our doors, and I meet her at the front of my truck. I offer her my hand, and she doesn’t hesitate for a single second to intertwine her fingers with mine and allow me to lead her into the house.
I can hear my family talking loudly in the kitchen. The familiarity of it washes over me. I’m pumped to have Alyssa at my side. I lead us into the kitchen and pull her in front of me, wrapping my arms around her chest. She rests her head back against me, and I place a kiss on her forehead.
“Whoa,” Merrick says. “What’s this?” He points at us.
“Damn,” Rushton jokes. “And to think I thought I had a chance.” He winks at my girl, making her laugh.
“Meh, we’ve seen them like this a million times.” Brooks smirks. “They’re playing us.”
I just grin at my brothers.
“I don’t know, B. Look at those smiles,” Orrin comments.
“I think this is legit,” Declan tosses in his opinion.
“Prove it,” Maverick challenges.
“How?” Ryder asks.
My parents’ and sisters-in-law's heads are going back and forth between my brothers as Alyssa and I stay silent.
“Kiss her,” Archer tells me.
“Lame,” Rushton calls out. “He just kissed her.”
“That was on the forehead,” Archer counters.
“It’s going to have to be one of us.” This comes from Ramsey. She’s the first outside of my brothers to speak up.
“Fine.” Rushton stands up taller. “I’ll take one for the team.” He moves toward us, and my arms tighten around my girlfriend. He stops in front of Alyssa and smirks. He leans in close, and I growl.
“Ready, Lys?” Rushton asks.
“Rush.” My tone is a warning, and he knows it. I know that he’s fucking around, but he needs to know I’m not.
“Oh, he’s extra growly.” Rushton turns to look at my brothers over his shoulder.
“You’re not doing it right,” Maverick tells him. “You just lean in and get it done.” He shakes his head. “It’s a wonder we have any game at all,” he tells Merrick, who just grins at his twin’s antics.
“Why don’t we let them tell us what this is?” comes from my mom. I can see the look in her eyes. She knows. Of course she does. Mom knows everything without saying a word.
“I love him,” Alyssa blurts, and my fucking heart does a somersault in my chest. She turns in my arms and peers up at me. “He asked me to move in with him.”’
“Tell all our secrets, baby,” I say, bending to kiss the corner of her mouth while my arms hold her close.
“That shit is not faked,” Ryder says. “Congrats, you two.” The words are barely out of his mouth before we’re getting group hugs, kisses, and slaps on the back. The entire time I hold her next to me.
“You’re really moving in?” Palmer asks.
“I am. We’ve been fighting this for far longer than we should have. We’re just ready to start the next chapter.”