Chapter 21
21
Sneaking out of bed without rousing Ellie was a task all by itself. Last night was more than I could have ever dreamed of. All the anger festering under my skin died the moment I kissed her. The second our lips touched, I was a goner. There are a lot of questions still in the air, but whether or not Ellie and I are together is not one of them. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe, happy, and mine.
Making use of the bathroom, I’m about to creep back into Ellie’s bed when a throat clears behind me. Turning, two pairs of eyes identical to mine stare back at me. Right. One of those questions still lingering is how my brother’s are going to take it.
“What’s up?” I ask feigning nonchalance. We all know what happened last night. If they didn’t come in while Ellie and I were in the middle of solidifying our relationship, they would have at least noticed I wasn’t in my bunk.
“A word,” Declan says, jaw tight. He tilts his head to motion to the lounge and I sigh before following. It is too early to have this conversation with them, but I doubt I can get out of it now.
Declan leans against the counter while Grayson plops down beside a ruffled Bryce. He juts his chin up at me before returning his gaze to his phone.
I know they want me to explain, but ever the shit disturber, I’m going to make them come out and ask. After several beats of silence, Gray finally breaks. “What are you doing, man?”
“About what?” Holding back my smirk is physically painful, but I’m internally delighted by the bit. Honestly, after last night, not much could get to me.
“Cut the shit, Jack. We heard. You know we heard. We know you know we heard. And now we want to know what the fuck is going on and if we need to beat your ass.”
“Testy,” I chide.
“What the fuck is going on is that Ellie is mine.”
“Since when?” Grayson asks.
I ponder that for a moment. We didn’t solidify things until yesterday, but this thing between us has been lingering for a while. “Officially, last night. Unofficially, since the night we night we followed them to the bar? Since the first day of the tour? Since forever? Fuck if I know.”
My older brother seems surprised by the admission, while Declan simply nods his head, asking, “And it’s serious? This isn’t a way to pass the time for the next few weeks? I don’t want to be a dick, but you haven't dated in years, and even back then it was passing infatuations. I don’t want to see Ellie get hurt.”
I should be annoyed at the insinuation, but I can’t blame him. And I certainly can’t be mad he’s looking after my girl. “It couldn’t be more serious.”
“Damn,” Gray mutters. Agreed.
“I think she’s it for me,” I confess. We don’t get touchy feely often, but if I can’t talk to them about this, then who can I?
“Is she on the same page? ”
“That’s the million dollar question.” Running my hands through my sleep mussed hair, I wonder the same thing. She seemed to be in agreement last night, but morning light could give her a different perspective. I hope she doesn’t change her mind.
Ever the emotionally intelligent one, Declan picks up on my hesitancy. “What are you worried about?”
“I don’t know. I guess I’m a little worried she’ll change her mind. She’ll realize she wants someone more on her level.”
“Jack,” Grayson murmurs. “You’re an awesome guy. If you’re all in, she’s lucky to have you.”
I take in his words, but they don’t have much impact. “She’s just so smart. And gorgeous. The woman has a colored-coded Tbr for Chrissake.”
“What’s a Tbr?”
“It’s a book thing you illiterate boob,” Grayson says to Declan. We all stare at him, shocked he knew. “Hey, I know things. I’m on Booktok.”
“I don’t even know how to respond to that,” I reply.
“Don’t” Declan asserts. “And don’t let your self-doubt keep you from giving a relationship a chance. Gray is right that you’re a catch. We’ve kept you around for a reason.”
“I think that reason is called the sibling bond.”
“Nah, it’s because Mom wouldn’t let us leave you in Waco,” he teases. “But seriously, you are kind and thoughtful, and always willing to do whatever it takes to make those around you happy. Don’t sell yourself short.”
“Thanks, man.” I almost tear up listening to my brother’s compliment me. Is this what having a praise kink is? Sign me up.
“You know who might be unhappy about this?” Grayson adds. “Lainey. Does she know?”
We all sober at that. While I don’t care what my sister thinks, I totally care. One because I know I will matter to Ellie and two because I don’t want to hurt her. I know she is going to have opinions about it, but I’d like to think if two people she cares about are happy she will be happy for us.
“Let me know when you’re going to tell her so I can be somewhere else,” Bryce adds, finally contributing to the conversation. Little shit.
“I’ll be sure to tell her you knew the whole time,” I taunt, laughing at his stricken expression. While the rest of us were off filming, Bryce had plenty of one-on-one big sister time. She has enough embarrassing photos and anecdotes of him to own him forever.
“Not cool,” he replies.
“Why did Bryce know before us?” Grayson questions, offense in his tone.
“Relax,” Bryce says, patting his knee. “I knew before Jack did, too. He may have been lying to himself, but I saw the way he looked at her. I’m the Heimdall of this tour. I see all. I know all.”
“More like Lady Whistledown, ya nerd. You keeping a secret blog of all the gossip?”
Bryce scowls at the comment as the rest of us chuckle. Breaking away, I make coffee for myself and a still sleeping Ellie.
“You got this,” Declan says, clapping me on the shoulder as he heads to shower.
I sure as fuck hope he’s right.