Page 20 of Tech

Though, the man to my right, gently running his fingers through my hair absentmindedly, seems to be in his own world. Since he arrived, he hasn't said much, and Momma noticed as well.

"Is Tech alright, sweetheart? He seems off today?"

Her question still lingers because she was right, he is off, and I don't particularly appreciate how my stomach drops with that notion.

Is he ending it with me?

Is he bored with me?

I shake my head, hating how my mind went there. He's given me no reason to doubt him.

For the past two months, he has ensured to push himself into my life; that night, after he dropped me off at home with a kiss so good that my lips tingled for days, he messaged me not even twenty minutes later. He told me we were happening, and then apparently, he told Daddy not to set me up with any more men, especially Sniper.

That I have to admit I found funny.

He claimed me, and I don't know why, but I didn't deny it. Growing up, relying on someone scared the crap out of me. I couldn't understand how you could give someone your all, giving them the power to hurt you, and yet here I am, giving him the power.

I bite my bottom lip, my eyes lingering on James' face as he watches my brother and Sniper.

My birth momma died giving birth to me, leaving my daddy alone, and I know he now has Momma; I know he loves her so much but is still holding that love he had for my birth momma. Sometimes, I see her pain when she looks at a photo of my birth momma.

A part of her knows that if my birth mother was still alive, then she and my dad wouldn't be together. My father had to relearn how to live his life after I was born, being a single dad, and then he opened his heart again, and fell deeper. And I know Momma knows this, yet she still looks at the picture of my birth mother, pregnant with me, where it sits on the mantel, her eyes filled with pain, sorrow, and worry.

Why would someone willingly give themselves to someone just to feel what she continues to feel?

I couldn't understand it, but then this man…. My eyes roam his features, taking in his scruffy hair, the crook in his nose, and his five o'clock shadow. I understand it.

I've fallen head over heels for this man without meaning to. After that first evening together, I knew I needed him. I knew he was mine.

I don't understand why him, why I let my walls down for this man who suddenly owns my heart. No one else has ever even gotten past the first obstacle—my siblings.

I swallow hard, the thought of him ending things hits me again. I quickly grab his hand and give it a squeeze.

He looks my way, his ocean eyes softening as we make eye contact.

I tilt my head at him and ask, "Is everything okay? You seem quiet. I mean, normally you’d put Sniper on his ass by now for messing with Ollie.”

He gives me a small smile, and then leans forward, kissing my head. I sigh in contentment. His forest scent hits my senses.

He rasps, "Fancy a ride tonight?" ignoring my question.

I smile, knowing he’ll tell me what’s on his mind soon. I grip his black shirt, humming out a yes. I love being on the back of his bike.

I feel his lips tilt against my head, before I pull back and look at Momma; her eyes are on us, and she has a soft smile.

I ask, "Could you watch Shadow and the pups tonight? It'll be late by the time I'm back, so I'll get them on my rounds with the goats and cows in the morning."

She nods, her blue eyes shining with happiness for me, making me smile. James' fingers go back to playing with my hair, and a squeal can be heard. We all look to see Sniper holding Ollie upside down by his leg, while Josy hangs off his back.

We all laugh, including James.

A few hours later, I'm climbing on the back of James' bike, putting on the helmet, while my parents watch from the porch, both smiling like lunatics. You'd think they'd be worried about their daughter on the back of a bike, but nope, not my parents; Momma asked Dad if he'd buy one.

I swear I have the weirdest parents.

Revving his bike, James takes off down the drive with Sniper following. Smiling, I lay my head on my man's back, squeezing him tightly as the feeling of home washes over me. I close my eyes, enjoying the feeling, and it's not until we slow down, roughly ten minutes later, that I finally open them again.

I tense.

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