Chapter 26
Twenty-Six
“Well, I’m glad I got to see you yesterday, and that you’re feeling more like yourself there, buddy,” I say to a smiling Joey on FaceTime.
“Yeah, sure am…” he replies, then turns his head to ask his mom a question. “Ma, when did the doctor say I can ride again?”
I can’t make out Mrs. Moore’s response, but by the look on Joey’s face, I’m going to assume it’ll be a while.
Shay chimes in from beside me. “Just because you can’t ride doesn’t mean that we can’t go visit the ranch. There are plenty of things you can still do.”
“Yeah, Ma, who else is going to give them all their treats? I think June has been looking for you,” I say, smushing my face into the small screen window.
Joey’s eyes light up at my words, and I can see him begin to bounce in excitement. “You really mean it?”
I nod and smile. Man, I love this kid, and I’m so thankful he seems to be getting back to his old self every day. That accident really had us all in such a scare, and I was afraid it would change Joey.
Joey’s face scrunches up as his eyes bounce between his sister and me. “Where are you two?”
Shay chuckles. I guess we didn’t cover up the fact that we’re both lying in my bed as well as we thought. “We’re at Mav’s house. Cash and Bellamy brought a meatloaf dinner back that Gigi had made for us all.”
“Lucky! Gigi is the best cook ever.” He looks at me hesitantly, then goes ahead and speaks his mind. “Okay, so now that you both love each other out loud, is that going to change anything? I still want to come over to the ranch and hang out.”
His words have me grinning from ear to ear. Leave it to him to completely call us out on our shit. “Don’t you worry about a thing. You’re still my number one.” I wink at him, and Shay slaps me on the shoulder playfully.
I hear Mrs. Moore again in the background. “I have to go. I miss you guys, but I’ll see you real soon for the rodeo, right?”
“That’s right. I’m looking forward to it!” I say whole-heartedly, because I really am looking forward to Bellamy’s first time back at the rodeo. It’s going to be a great weekend.
“Alright, Joey, I love you, and I’ll talk to you soon,” Shay says and blows him a kiss before ending the call.
She turns onto her side, and I raise my arm so she can snuggle into my chest.
Heaven.
That’s what it feels like to finally have her in my arms like this.
“I don’t know if you realize how grateful I am for the way you treat Joey,” she says, her eyes searching mine.
“Babe, I adore that kid more than you’ll ever know.
When I say he’s my buddy, I mean it. He’s helped me in more ways that I can count.
I’ve realized that being with him helps me deal with the loss of Jules, and it gives me another shot at being a big brother.
Something I thought I’d never get the opportunity to do again. ”
I see the tears begin to well in her gorgeous honey eyes at my confession, and I lean down and kiss the top of her head, pulling her in tighter. Her hand coasts along my ribs in a soothing touch, and I close my eyes, relishing the feel of her freely exploring my body like this.
We’ve spent the entire day just snuggling in bed. The only time either of us left the room was when I went downstairs to get us both some breakfast. Besides that, we’ve been wrapped up in each other’s arms.
I’m not complaining one bit… I could lay like this forever but, unfortunately, it’s time for dinner, and we must leave our little bubble.
Shay and I walk down the steps, hand in hand. Not even on purpose or to make a statement, but simply because it feels right. No doubt, I'm sporting the biggest shit-eating grin known to man. Anyone who sees me is going to know for certain that I finally have what I’ve always wanted.
“It’s about damn time!” someone shouts from the den, then starts clapping. I look up, seeing that it’s Willow who made the announcement. The entire house comes to see what Willow’s carrying on about. Big smiles spread across all of their faces.
Even Berkley is grinning wide. I was worried that she would feel some type of way, considering her and Peyton are friends. But she knows more than any of us that the heart wants what it wants.
Shay and I were inevitable and, thankfully, everyone else knows that as well.
“Shit, I knew this was in the works the first time I met them. Glad to see y’all have come to your senses.” She smiles, then heads to the kitchen.
Bellamy comes up and wraps us both in a hug, then pulls back.
“She’s a good one, Rick. Don’t mess this up.”
Shay laughs, smiling up at me.
“Don’t worry, Amy. I’ve waited too long for this; I won’t mess it up,” I confess, then raise Shay’s hand that’s still entwined with mine to my lips and kiss the back of it.
“Good! Alright, everyone, grab a seat. Dinner’s ready,” Bellamy says before heading into the kitchen as well.
“Well, that went smoother than I expected,” Shay whispers to me.
“They always knew this day was coming.” I wink at her.
“Is that so, Beauty?” she teases, and I squeeze her hand. Shay leans over and places a soft kiss on my lips. I swear, I practically float out of my chair at the realization that I'm going to be on the receiving end of those kisses for as long as she’ll have me.
Sitting around our extended dining room table, I can’t hide my smile. I look forward to our Sunday dinners, even though they seem to get further and further apart with all our busy schedules, but I love them, nonetheless.
Willow walks in with the piping-hot casserole dish filled with mashed potatoes, and Bellamy and Cash follow with Gigi’s meatloaf and green beans. My mouth waters at the reminders of home filtering through the air.
Shay leans into me. “This smells so frickin’ good.”
Berkley must have heard her from where she sits on the other side of Shay.
“You better believe it. I swear, I attribute most of my pregnancy weight to this woman’s cooking…
and don’t even get me started on the baked goods.
” She rubs her enlarged belly for emphasis, which catches Nate’s attention.
He puts his hands over hers, then leans down and kisses her stomach.
“She’s not lying.” Nate chuckles. “Gigi’s ensuring our girl never has a craving she can’t satisfy.”
Everyone takes their seats and looks at me to take the lead, and I dip my chin.
“Dear Lord, bless this food, bless”—I gaze around the table—“our MRU athletes. And bless little baby Outlaw and for keeping faith that everything will work out in the end. Amen.”
I feel Shay’s hand squeeze my knee, and I lay mine on top of hers. We remain connected for the majority of the meal, both of us unwilling to go another minute without physical connection, regardless of how innocent.
“Hey, has anyone else noticed that they finally started working on that house next door?” Hudson asks to add to the dinner table discussion.
Nola nods as he swallows his mouthful of food. “Yeah, I saw the dumpster pull up the other day.”
“Please, don’t tell me it’s going to be another sports house. This neighborhood won’t survive any more testosterone,” Willow deadpans, and I hear Shay giggle.
“Says the chick who moved into a sports house,” Nola claps back, and Willow rolls her eyes.
“Actually, I believe it’s a single woman who lives there. Well, owns it… Place needs a lot of work,” Nate chimes in.
We all look in his direction for more information, and he shrugs. “I ran into her last year at the end of her driveway. Apparently, she inherited the house, but the place was practically unlivable, so she was renting nearby until she could fix it up.”
“Leave it to Nate to know the neighbor’s business. Man should run for mayor,” Nola teases, and we all laugh.
“Who’s turn is it for dishes tonight?” Willow asks as she piles her fork and knife onto her plate.
Nola and Hudson look at each other and stand. “It’s our turn,” they both say in unison.
Interesting… Usually, there’s a long, drawn-out rock, paper, scissors competition to see whose turn it is, but I’m not going to argue.
“Well, that’s perfect.” Willow stands without any hesitation and walks to the den. I hear the familiar sound of the karaoke machine syncing with the TV, and I grin.
Willow never misses an opportunity to have a karaoke night, especially when all of us are around.
Bellamy must hear the familiar sound, and she lets out a squeal of joy. She hops up and walks to Shay and Berkley. “Come on!”
Shay grins and kisses me on the cheek, then she’s up and out of her seat quickly, and together, they both help Berkley out of her seat as if she’s a ticking time bomb. “Stop fussin’ on me. I’m fine.”
There’s no doubt in my mind that Berkley is, in fact, okay, but she’s a little over seven months pregnant now, so we’re all on edge when it comes to her well-being.
Willow’s rendition of “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac comes to an end, and we all cheer.
“Thank you. Thank you. Please, you're too kind,” she says as the girls continue to hoot and holler.
Once they quiet down, she speaks again. “I want to thank you all for coming out here tonight. For joining us for yet another evening of fine entertainment.” She smiles, really putting on the act of being a performer, and we all laugh.
Willow takes her karaoke nights very seriously.
“Our next guest this evening has yet to share what he’ll be performing, said it will be a surprise for us all… Can’t wait to see what he has in store for us. So please, ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for our very own, very talented, Maverick Leblanc.”
I lean over and whisper to Shay, “This one’s for you.” Then, I give her a quick kiss on the cheek and stand. Cheers erupt again as I make my way to our makeshift stage. I catch Shay’s smiling face and wink.
Grabbing the mic from Willow, I raise my hand to settle the crowd.
“Please let it be NSYNC. I'm dying for another round of boyband Mav,” Bellamy shouts.
Selecting my song on the designated iPad, I get myself ready.
“Sorry, ladies, no NSYNC. But I hope y’all enjoy it anyway,” I say just as the twang of the country guitar fills the room.
I get my voice as low as I can to start the first line of Josh Turner’s “Your Man.” Then watch as Shay gets the most adorable look on her face as she recognizes the song I'm about to sing.
Locking eyes with her, I sing the lyrics with all that I got, knowing they relay every single thing I feel toward her. I get so lost in my performance that it feels like Shay and I are the only ones who exist in the room.
When the song ends, the room remains silent for a beat before they all erupt into cheers.
Shay stays in her seat, smiling from ear to ear while shaking her head. I spread my arms open wide, indicating ‘this is who you’re stuck with now,’ and she laughs brightly.
Sitting down, I settle in as Bellamy heads up for her turn.
I feel Shay’s hand cup my cheek and she pulls my face to hers.
Her eyes search mine. “My man,” she whispers, right before her soft lips caress mine for the briefest of moments, and I want more than anything to deepen it, right here in front of everyone.
However, I promised myself I’d take it slow with her, let her take the lead.
So instead, I lean back, pulling her body close to mine as she nestles under my arm.
The warmth of her body next to mine settles something deep inside, a comfort that I’ve never felt before. But make no mistake, it’s taking everything I have not to throw her over my shoulder and march her ass right up the stairs and show her how much I love being her man.