46. Jake
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
jake
A mber napped on me for over an hour, and my legs went numb, but I didn’t care.
I enjoyed the soft strands of her hair flowing through my fingers and the feeling of this little cabin finally being a home.
Knowing our friends would be on their way soon, I rubbed my thumb over her cheek until those stunning whiskey eyes fluttered open and looked up at me.
“Sorry.” She yawns.
“Don’t be. I’m a lucky man to have you here with me and am honored to be the place you find rest.”
She sits up, letting her feet dangle over the edge for a moment before turning to me. “I used to hate that word. Lucky. I can see now how lucky I truly am to have found someone who loves me enough to fight with me, burn with me, and build a life with me.”
“I do love fighting with you,” I say, pulling her up as I hear the gravel crunch from out front. “But if you fight me about this, know that it’s been a while since I’ve punished you and I am aching for it, baby.”
She tries to gape at me, but an audible whimper leaves her lips, and damn if I don’t want to drag her upstairs right now and fuck her with everyone listening. “Later,” I growl, opening the back door right as my front door swings open.
Thoren, Lily, Michele, and River all walk in, chatting with arms full of bags and trays. Amber’s gaze ping-pongs from them to me, then she mutters, “There’s always the bathroom again.” She saunters past me, clearly having picked up on what I’ve set in motion here.
All my blood rushes south at the reminder of our first time together, and I have to adjust myself as everyone pours into my small kitchen. Before I can haul Amber back to me and make her pay for that comment, River is pulling her into a hug.
“Amber, baby, happy birthday!”
A growl rumbles low in my throat, which only makes Riv chuckle and hold her tighter.
Amber glances over her shoulder at me and winks as she wraps her arms around him too.
Thoren is laughing, watching it all go down, and Lily reappears in the doorway, this time with Socks in hand.
“You’re going to need nut peas again in a second, Riv,” she states, plopping the cat on the floor.
I’m momentarily distracted as Socks comes pouncing over to me, running between my legs while letting out a loud purr. “There’s my boy,” I say, picking him up and cuddling him to my chest as he rubs his soft head against my beard.
“How the mighty have fallen,” River says, and lets go of Amber, only for her to be pulled into an embrace by Michele.
“You’re about to get kicked out of my house.” I scowl at him.
“Not yours, Jakey-poo. My girl Lily will let me stay.”
Lily smacks him on the back of his head before moving to hug Amber. “It’s his, and I may be your sister-in-law, but he’s my best friend, so I’m taking his side.”
I grin like an idiot, raising a brow at River. Amber’s gaze bounces between all of us, and she opens her mouth, probably to ask about that, but Michele cuts her off.
“First, I want to say that if anyone else hides any important dates from us, I will throat punch them. But since you’re new to learning how this family works,” she says, narrowing her gaze on Amber, “we will let it slide this one time. Second, happy birthday. Here’s to you and to never spending a birthday or holiday alone again. ”
The look on Amber’s face transforms from confusion to joy.
Her cheeks tinge pink and her eyes turn glassy as she takes us all in.
All of us are here to celebrate her because this group right here is family.
When her watery eyes meet mine, I nod, giving her the reassurance that this is her life now.
A life filled with family, love, and joyous moments. A life she deserves.
“Happy birthday,” we all echo.
Sensing her emotions being on edge, Lily claps, and I set Socks back down. “Food, then presents.”
Everyone shuffles around my tiny island, where Thoren has been spreading out the containers of grilled meats, coleslaw, macaroni, and cornbread.
As cramped as it is, I love this. My house filled with laughter and joy, and not feeling like the odd man out.
Amber says I gave her a safe space to be herself, but she doesn’t see she’s done the same for me tenfold.
I no longer feel like the freak who doesn’t want kids.
Or the one they invite because they feel bad I’m alone.
Amber has given me a home with her. She calms me when I feel panicked, fights with me when I need an outlet, stays by my side when the darkness threatens, and loves me through it all.
There’s no judgment for my past, my dirty work clothes, or my long hours at work.
Only support and encouragement to love what I do.
When she gets a plate full of food, I draw her into my side, dropping a kiss to her soft lips. “I love you,” she breathes against them, and my chest swells with pride. “Thank you.”
She turns to everyone as the room goes quiet.
“Thank you, guys. For sticking by my side through the last few months and not letting me pull away. And for dropping everything to be with me today, especially with everything going on.” Her gaze lingers on Thor and Riv, and they nod, eyes filled with understanding.
“Thank you for showing me that the family I’ve always wanted has been right beside me all along. ”
“Thanks for being brave enough to take on this asshole and embracing the love you both deserve.” I’m more than a little surprised to hear Lily swear, but she looks at us with such a fondness and rubs her little belly.
“And thanks for making this work between you two because he was getting needy there for a bit,” Thoren adds, bringing my scowl back as Amber softly chuckles beside me.
“Yeah, thanks for making me the odd one out.” Michele holds up a beer in cheers. “Forever alone.”
“You’re all a bunch of sad sacks. I’m not saying thanks for shit until you guys start allowing me in all the group chats and secrets,” River grumbles. Collectively, we clear our throats and cough uncomfortably as we take our plates of food to the porch. “Oh, come on,” Riv whines behind us.
Bending down, I put my lips to Amber’s ear. “Thanks for climbing my ladder and making a home in my heart, Whiskey.”
She chokes on a laugh as Michele gets outside and starts squealing about how sweet the porch swing turned out and how she wants one on her porch next. It quickly turns into an argument as Lily claims she should get one next because it would be the perfect spot to rock the baby outside.
Amber shakes her head, taking a seat on the deck, not caring about chairs as she watches everyone get comfortable. Her golden eyes lock on mine again, and she lets out a contented sigh.
“I know, baby,” I say, understanding it all completely. “I know.”