Page 55 of Finish Line

His arms slowly wrap around my back. Relief courses through me when all I feel is…home.

I didn’t want to tell Luke that he was the one who worried me the most because he’s the same size as Evan. I’m not sure why I’ve been afraid of them hugging me. I should have known I’d never be scared of them. My heart and head both know they would never hurt me.

“I’ve missed you so damn much.” Tears streak down my cheeks, a slight hiccup in my voice.

“I love you.” His body relaxes into me, but he doesn’t squeeze me any tighter. “The guys and I talked on the flight down here. We’re going to show you how much you mean to us.”

“You don’t need to do that.” I want to say more, but I’m interrupted.

“Yes, we do,” Mav states from somewhere to the side of me.

“All right.” It isn’t worth arguing about.

What girl in her right mind would reject love being showered on her?

I repeat this process with each of the guys before repeating it with Nick, Cin, Paige, and a hesitant Sam. Then, the guys head out to the back deck and sit down. Cin and Paige are the only ones left in the living room.

“Don’t even say it, Cin. There’s nothing to forgive. I’m the one who freaked out about everything.” I hang my hands down.

“You had every right to freak out.” Cin shakes her head in denial. “I have to say that you look better.”

“Thanks.” I turn to Paige. “You should have seen me a few months ago. I didn’t want to go outside because I feared people would think Cam beat me.”

Paige lets out a somewhat awkward chuckle.

Cin fidgets with her nails. “Your mom was determined to come, but Peter and Nick talked her out of it. She didn’t understand why she should be left out. And she’s demanding to come here for summer break.”

“I figured. Peter has a place a few houses down. I’m surprised she’s not there and didn’t show up on her own. She means well, but she calls almost every day. She never asks how I’m doing. She talks about herself and things the family has been up to. Most of the time, Peter is there to cut in and tries to redirect the conversation, but that seems to upset her.”

Cin nods sadly. “Yeah, Nick and I have witnessed a few of those calls. I don’t know what’s going on with Aunt Patty.”

Paige twirls her hair. “Thank you for inviting Sam and me, since this has become your haven. It means a lot to us. I’ve never been out of the state.”

“I’m glad you’re here. I’m sorry I haven’t talked to you much in the last few months.” I stare at my chipped, painted toenails.

“Shelby, please don’t worry about that. I understand you were going through something traumatic and needed time and space. I was worried and wanted to help, even though I couldn’t.” She turns around and looks through the sliding door we have open. “Is that the ocean? I’ve never seen an ocean before.”

“Yeah, go ahead down and follow the path.” I remember the first time I saw the ocean.

Paige walks out onto the deck, grabs Sam’s hand, and squeals as they race to the beach.

I smile at her excitement.

Dom comes over and leans against the railing. “Any thoughts on what you want to do today?”

“We can stay around here and go down to the beach or pool.”

Luke yawns. “Damn, I forgot how hard jetlag hits.”

“That’s why we should stay around here.” I shrug. “It won’t be long before you want to crash. We can order pizza tonight.”

“I’m good with that,” Dom says.

We end up playing Spoons on the dining table, since that’s the only table where we can all fit. It’s a simple game.

After several rounds, Luke, Mav, Cin, Sam, and I remain. The rest watch us play.

Mav deals out the cards. “You have to be cheating, Luke.”

---