Page 54 of Finish Line

He looks at the bags. “I’m not sure about that.”

Before I know it, March thirty-first arrives.

The guys, along with Nick, Cin, Sam, and Paige finished their midterms early, then hopped on one of the twin’s planes to head here, so they should be here any minute.

“Shelby, what’s going on with you? You’re a nervous wreck.” Cam steps in front of me where I have been wearing a path on the floor with my pacing.

“Nothing.” I flap my hand around, trying to wave his concern, but it comes across like I’m swatting a bug out of the air. So much for me trying to act normal. He’s right; I’m a nervous wreck.

Cam reaches out and rests his hands on my shoulders. “You’ve been acting weird for the last week.”

The doorbell rings, and I jump, yelping like someone stuck me with a needle.

Cam raises an eyebrow at me. “Are you expecting anyone?”

“Go open the door,” my voice comes out strained and panicky.

His brows crease, then he heads over to the door. Before he opens it, he runs to the hall tree near the door where a baseball bat sits; he goes to grab the bat.

“Cam, it’s okay,” I say quickly, not wanting him to bludgeon who’s on the other side of the door.

He releases the bat and straightens, taking a defensive stance before opening it.

He turns, puts his back to the door, and looks at me.

Despite my tension, his expression makes me laugh, and I stick my tongue out at him.

He relaxes and opens the door, and they stand, waiting.

“Surprise!” they yell. “Happy birthday, week!”

“Oh my God.” Laughing, Cam turns and has so much love in his eyes. “Is this why you’ve been so nervous these last few days? You arranged for them to come?”

I give him a smirk. He steps back and lets everyone in. He hugs everyone.

The guys walk over to me where I stand at the edge of the living room.

“Hi, Shelby. It’s good to see you.” Dom stops short of the living room.

“You, too, Dom. How was the flight?” I sound nervous and unsure even to my ears.

“Long. But it’s worth it to see Cam and you.” He rubs his hand along his cheek. “Umm, we’re not sure what to do around you.”

Cam stands beside me and puts his arm around my waist. “She’s handling me touching her so long as she knows what I’m doing. And, if I come up from behind her or not in her line of sight, I make plenty of noise not to startle her. To start, you should let her hug you first.”

I glance up at Cam and smile. “Good suggestion.”

The guys stand there while Nick, Cin, Paige, and Sam hang back so as not to overwhelm me. I walk up to Luke first because if any of them freak me out, it’ll be him.

“Hi.” I drop my head and stare at my feet.

“Hi.” Luke holds still, his hands down at his sides. “What should I do?”

His actions and questions make me smile. “Nothing, just stand there and let me hug you. I’ll tell you if you can put your arms around me.”

He nods, and I step forward and wrap my arms around his waist.

We stay like that for a minute before I say, “You can touch me.”

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