Page 77 of Same One
“Love you too,” Bay replied automatically and disappeared between two cars, headed to hers.
Tru stood there frozen. He’d just said it at normal volume, like it was the most normal thing in the world.
Tabian’s hand went to the back of her neck and he massaged her gently. “That’s a good feeling.”
She nodded jerkily, trying not to cry.
“Yeah,” she said, climbing up into his truck. “It’s the best feeling.”
Tabian hooked a finger under her jaw and drew her gaze to his. “You know I love you too, right?”
Two I-love-yous in one minute from her favorite people in the world, and she felt so happy in this moment.
How had her life gotten here? It had been so uncertain and uncomfortable, and sad not long ago, but now? Now her days were full of joy. She could feel the bond she was building with the boys, and with the Rogue Pack. She could feel Bay opening up to her. She could feel Tabian’s steadiness.
Tabian leaned in and kissed her. Tru dropped the seatbelt she was about to click in, and wrapped her arms around him, kissed him back. She was so thankful for him. That could’ve gone so badly in there. They had been considering kicking Bay out of that school forever, but Tabian had come in and fixed it.
He just did that.
He just fixed things.
She was eternally thankful for him.
She eased out of the kiss and hugged him so tightly. “I love you too.”
Chapter Nineteen
Tru was vibrating with excitement. It was Friday and she had two days off and big plans to stay at Tabian’s tonight. She’d taken a few days off work this week and was that going to make bills a little tougher to pay this month? Yes. Was that a problem for tomorrow? Also, yes.
“I am a surprise ruiner,” she said, wringing her hands.
“Are you really?” Tabian asked as he took a left onto Filson Avenue.
“Super bad surprise ruiner.”
“Oh that’s a deal breaker,” he teased.
“I can try really hard, but I basically just have to get presents for holidays the day before because I will spill the beans.”
“Are we going to the gym?” she guessed, studying the sign that listed the businesses in the parking lot he was turning into.
“Nope. Stop guessing.”
“Oh! There’s my car. Bay is here!”
He was holding open the passenger side door for a pretty girl to get out. That must be Breah.
Bay waved and Tabian backed his truck in a couple parking spots down from him.
Distracted by the happy look on Bay’s face, she stopped trying to guess what they were doing, and focused on unbuckling, shoving her phone into her purse, organizing her three water bottles she was hoarding in the side of the door, and then pulling on her zip-up hoodie. Why she hadn’t done any of that before they parked was a mystery to her. She was always chaotic like this.
Tabian stood there holding the door open for her with a patient demeanor as he talked to Bay behind him. She liked thathe never rushed her, even when her mind was in a dozen places at once.
He held his hand out when she was ready and helped her down, then closed the door behind her and pulled her fingertips to the crook of his elbow.
“Tru, this is Breah,” Bay introduced her to the smiling girl standing beside her. “Breah, this is my mom, Tru.”
Tru dropped her gaze immediately because her eyes were burning in an instant. Oof, he’d never called her that before. Tru stepped forward and shook Breah’s hand.
