Page 59 of Claiming Becca

Liv glances around. “So, you’ve all experienced this, then?”

“Yeah. I speak my mind, and I don’t apologize for it, but Julian loves it. He’s very blunt and doesn’t beat around the bush,” Bailey says.

Ansley nods in agreement. “Lincoln acts frustrated with my brattiness, but he loves it. It’s our thing, and it always leads to amazing sex.” She sighs like she remembers something I don’t want to know about.

“I still struggle to say what I want. Being in an abusive relationship for so long, those survival mode techniques don’t just magically disappear. Sebastian understands that and will talk me through them when it happens.” Caroline smiles to herself. Liv glances at me.

I guess it’s my turn. “I’ve always felt like I was too much for people. I’m silly and take things to the extreme, but Connor loves it. Even when we were just friends. One year, I wanted to dress up like a penis for Halloween, so he dressed up like a condom. He jumps on board with all my crazy ideas and supports them 110%.” The girls start laughing.

“How exactly did he dress up like a condom?” Ansley asks.

I start laughing at the memory. “He went and bought two blue poster boards and connected them with some string or something so they’d hang on his shoulders. Then he copied what the Trojan condom packages look like on the front and back.” Grabbing my phone and scrolling through my pictures, I show them all when I find a picture from that night. They all look at it, laughing. That is one of the most memorable nights of my life.

“That was the first time I ever got drunk,” I admit. “My birthday is before Halloween, and I had just turned 21. I don’t drink a lot, and when I do, I never get too drunk because of how my parents died. I told Connor I wanted to, and he promised to watch out for me.” I smile, thinking back to that night.

“He didn’t drink anything. We went to a bar with a costume contest, won third place, danced, and hung out all night. So much fun.” I reminisce. I glance at Liv and smile. “We all know exactly how that feels. It explains why you would have a crush on him.” She smiles back at me, her cheeks pinkening a little.

“Have you thought about saying something to him?” Bailey asks.

Liv immediately shakes her head. “I couldn’t deal with the rejection, and then if he doesn’t feel the same way, it would make things awkward. He probably views me as his goddaughter.”

“Oh, wow! I didn’t realize he was your godfather,” Caroline says.

Liv grimaces. “That’s sick. Isn’t it?” She sounds a little disgusted with herself.

Bailey places her hand on Liv’s arm. “No. You haven’t seen him in years. You’ve grown up. It’s not sick.” Everyone nods in agreement.

“We will always support you, Liv,” Ansley tells her. We gather in a small circle and hug. I love these girls and how we all support each other, no matter what.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

CONNOR

TODAY WASa long day. It was fulfilling, though, since I can work side-by-side with my guys now. For the most part, I manage more than I do manual labor, but it’s nice getting in there and working occasionally. I lock the construction site gate and start walking to my truck, pausing when I see my dad leaning against it.

“Hey, Dad! What are you doing here?” I ask him. When I get close, he pulls me into a quick hug.

“I was nearby, so I thought I’d stop and say hi,” he replies. “How are you feeling?”

I put my toolbag in the bed of my truck and then lean my back against it. “I’m pretty sore today, but that’s because I moved muscles I haven’t in a while.”

Dad nods in understanding. “Your mom says Becca is taking good care of you.”

I smirk and nod. “Yeah, she is. She’s painted the living room and will get started on the kitchen in a few days. You and Mom should come over and see it.” I’m so proud of what Becca is doing. It looks great and has transformed my house. I pause; not my house anymore, our house.

“Will she return to her house now that you’re feeling better?” he asks. Dread drops in my gut. I hadn’t thought of that. I just assumed she’d stay with me forever. I checked in on the progress of her grandpa’s house yesterday, and it’s almost done.

“I don’t know,” I say hesitantly. We haven’t told my parents about us. Not because we’re trying to keep it a secret, but because we’ve only seen them a few times.

Dad tilts his head at me. “What do you mean you don’t know?” I open my mouth to say something but close it. His face breaks out into a grin.

I narrow my eyes at him. “What?”

“Your mom was right.” He throws his head back, laughing, and slaps his thigh.

“Mom was right about what?” I tilt my head as I wait.

He starts laughing again. “God, I love that woman,” he murmurs. What the hell is he talking about? His eyes finally connect with mine, and he shakes his head.

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