Chapter 52
Fifty-Two
JARED
“Honey! I'm home!" Laughing to myself, I drop my backpack by the kitchen table.
There are some tests I still need to grade, and it just wasn't going to happen this afternoon. Not when I knew Blue was home alone and probably out of her mind with boredom.
"Blue?" I call out, realizing I didn't get a response. She's not in the kitchen or the living room.
My heart decides this must mean we need to worry because it's pounding away in my chest, urging me to run and check beneath every surface. I take a deep breath in through my nose and blow out through my mouth.
The anxiety in the wake of what happened to Blue has been tough to manage, but I'm aware enough of it that I can usually catch it before I get out of control. I actually opened up to the school counselor, whom I'm becoming work friends with, and he gave me some coping skills to try at home.
Apparently, breathing is the biggest grounding technique there is.
"In…out..." I talk myself through my breaths as I climb the stairs. Maybe she's taking a nap or something. "No need to worry."
My voice is shaky as I continue talking to myself, but it's necessary. Nobody wants me to get lost inside my head while my girl is fucking missing.
"Blue fucking Bennet!" I shout again, not having found her upstairs.
Honestly, I'm not expecting a response because my mind is jumping right to the worst case scenario, but I'm proven wrong.
"WHAT?!"
"Oh Jesus fuck," I breathe out, deflating against the wall outside of Declan's bedroom. Her sassy scream steals all the anxiety from me. Rushing down the stairs and through the kitchen, I find her tossing a boot onto the rug.
"Why were you yelling?" she asks, watching me warily. I must look a little crazy, but what the hell?
Pulling her into a hug once she's close enough, I relax. "You weren't home."
"Well, I am now," she replies, sounding a little lost.
"Where were you?" I still haven't let her go, and I don't think I will for a long time. She can live right here forever.
Sadly, Blue has other ideas. Pushing me away and grabbing her water off the small table by the sliding glass door, she explains she was having a late lunch with my mom.
"You—What?" Since when are they close enough to just have lunch together? How did I miss this? And why didn't my mom tell me?
She snorts and grabs my hand with her free one. Dragging me to the living room, she nudges me onto the couch. I plop onto my ass without complaint and snatch her before she can move away from me.
Laughing, Blue falls onto my lap sideways. "I need to go to the bathroom," she protests and wiggles.
"Oh yeah?" I tease and tickle her sides until she's screeching like a banshee.
"Stop! Ahhh! JARED!"
My heart swells with so much fucking happiness, I'm laughing right along with her.
When our eyes lock, I stop my torture and capture her lips with mine before she can catch her breath.
I want her filled with me. The laughter I create, my kisses that breathe lust into her, my touch that embodies our connection.
Just as I sweep my tongue into her mouth, a giggle bursts from her lips. "I really need to pee."
"Alright, alright," I relent, licking my lips and enjoying the taste of Blue that lingers even while she's walking away.
Just as she closes the bathroom door behind her, the back door opens and in come the rest of my people. The three of them look tired, yet their eyes immediately search for Blue.
We're so gone for that woman.
"Hey," I greet as they walk through the kitchen. "Bee's in the bathroom. She had lunch with my mom today. Did any of you fuckers know about that and decide not to tell me?"
Felix's frown is deep. "I didn't know. How did she get there?"
"Clara picked me up," Blue answers, waltzing into the living room like a damn model. "We had a good chat."
Declan kisses her, and Roman does the same as they pass her on their way to collapse on the couch. She smiles so wide I can practically feel the happiness radiating off of her.
Blue rarely shows so much raw emotion, so when she starts bouncing on her toes and twisting her hands in front of her, I'm intrigued. And possibly a little scared. What the hell did my mom say to her?
"Blue, are you...giddy?" I guess, trying to read her body language. Obviously I've seen my woman happy and excited, but this looks like a fuck ton of pent-up energy.
"Yes!" she bursts out and blows a raspberry with her lips. "Sorry. I just—I came to a realization today. Well, all week kind of, but I want to tell you now."
"What's going on, Petal? Do you regret our night?"
My eyes snap to Roman. "What are you talking about?"
Blue snaps her fingers to get our attention, then points at Roman. "Roman and I had sex. I came on Declan's dick with our clothes on. And I've made out with all four of you. No, I don't regret any of it. That was an anxious response," she tells Roman, frowning with worry.
"I'm sorry, Petal." Roman shakes his head as if to clear it, then smiles at her. "I loved what we did. Now tell us what's on your mind before I start filling in the blanks again."
"And to be clear, there aren't going to be any secrets between the five of us. So no need to be embarrassed about what happens between anyone, okay?" Blue looks at each of us, waiting for us to nod. "And no jealousy. Four dicks are a lot, and you will all get your turn," she adds, winking.
"Ooo, maybe I'll get to eat you first." Fuck, I could lay her out right here and—
"Okay! Enough." Blue waves her hands around as if to beat our sexy thoughts away. "I wanted to tell you that I'm not angry anymore."
It's on the tip of my tongue to say about what, but I can only imagine how poorly that would go.
She takes a deep breath, closes her eyes, and smiles. "I want to make us official. I've forgiven each of you; I'm not angry, nor do I feel any resentment. I may need some reassurances as we build trust along the way but I'm officially ready to move on and move forward with you."
"Holy shit..." Declan murmurs, then absolutely launches himself off the couch to get to her. "Yes, yes, yes!" he shouts, tripping over our feet on his way to sweep our woman off her feet.
Blue laughs as he tackles her onto Roman's lap. "I wasn't proposing," she teases with her arms wrapped around my best friend’s neck.
Declan sits up a little to look her in the eye. "You're right. That's my job. We'll go look at rings soon. Promise," he states and smacks a kiss on her forehead before devouring her plump lips with his.
I think we just started our forever. Officially.