Page 88 of Prickly Pair
God, I wished that I was with Matthew and Nick instead of standing on Avery's doorstep, but here I was. They’d both been so understanding, of course, and I knew they were having a date night instead.Good.But also . . . I’d much rather be having a night full of orgasms than talking about a creep named Phil.
I didn't even bother to knock on their door, stepping inside and kicking off my shoes. Bonnie and Bandit came running, and I stooped over, petting them both as I crooned their names.
“My babies,” I sighed happily. “Look at your sweet faces.”
Bandit’s tail wagged so fast his butt was shaking. Bonnie sat patiently, her eyes full of loyalty and love.
The door opened again behind me, and I scooted out of the way before it could bump me. Austin stepped inside, his eyes lighting up as he saw me.
“Well, hi,” he said. He leaned in, his lips meeting mine in a kiss that sent butterflies through my stomach. “Do you know what this is about?”
“I do,” I said. And now my thoughts were barely coherent. He kissed me one more time before straightening, his brow raising. Did I tell him now before everyone else?
Austin’s brows pulled together. “Hmm, this sounds bad. Are you okay?”
“I am,” I said. “I just . . . It’s okay. We’ll all talk.”
His frown deepened, but before he could say anything else, the door flew open again. His arm slid around me as Dallas, Maddie, and June piled in.
“Oh look who it is,” Dallas said smugly, eyeing the two of us.
Austin snorted. “Don’t even start right now.”
“I feel like I’m at least partially entitled to giving you some shit,” Dallas said.
“Leave them alone,” Madi chuckled, giving him a playful push.
June had the smuggest look on her face.
Mateo's voice echoed through the house, and Levi’s head whipped around the corner. “Well, don’t just stand there,” he said. “You’re not vampires. You can come inside.”
“That’s what she said,” June announced.
Everyone groaned at the bad joke, then started talking over each other, chatting about random things that happened throughout the day.
Dallas, June, and Madi made their way to the living room, but Austin and I stayed put. I looked up at him and smiled despite my nerves.
“We’re together,” he whispered. He reached up and tucked a stray wave behind my ear, his gaze softening on my lips before meeting my eyes again. “And it feels right.”
“It does,” I agreed. “I wish . . .”
“Matthew and Nick were here?”
I nodded.
“Me too,” he exhaled. “I guess we should invite them next time.”
“Even Nick?” I teased.
“Ugh. Maybe not him.”
I grinned as he slid his hand in mine and led me to where everyone was gathering.
Mateo, Levi, and Avery’s new living room had two couches, and it created a conversation area that was definitely needed. They had the biggest house, and it had become where we all gathered. Avery’s art and Levi’s photos decorated the walls. Bandit and Bonnie curled up on the rug, Bandit at Dallas’s feet. Bonnie’s little face perched on Avery’s knee as she sat on the floor. Mateo and Levi brought in a few platters of food and drinks, and pretty soon, our group was settled around the coffee table.
Avery wiggled her brows at me and Austin. He shook his head at her, his brows drawing together, but his scowl was all pretend. I kept catching a little smile lifting the corner of his mouth, and it was contagious even though I was nervous about the Phil situation.
“Okay,” Levi said, clapping his hand on his knees. Bandit immediately started to sit up, but Dallas leaned over and started petting him aggressively to convince him to stay put. “The anticipation is killing me. I don't like this. Can we please talk about what's going on?”
