Page 66 of Time to Bounce

Gable’s hand left my lap only to come down on my neck.

“What’s your dessert special for tonight?” Auden asked, likely reading Maven’s mind.

The waitress listed off a plethora of specials to the table, and everyone ordered something.

The waitress left looking surprised.

“I don’t think she expected everyone to order dessert. They’re pretty big here,” I admitted.

“It’s so we can share,” Pepper admitted, repositioning herself in her seat.

She looked uncomfortable, which was not surprising seeing as she’d been in an accident a few months ago that had stolen her ability to walk while her fractured spine healed.

Reading this likely like I did, Atlas carefully scooped her up in his arms and positioned her in his lap, while from the other side, Gable put the chair she’d been sitting in under her feet.

I loved that they were all taking care of her.

Even the Semyonovs got into the act by scooting over and giving the two room to spread out.

Once we were sure Pepper was more comfortable, we went back to our conversation, and eventually when the dessert came out, I realized something.

I was in love with Gable’s family, Maven’s family, and Gable.

I wanted this life.

I wanted to be here, exactly where I was, for the rest of my life.

We didn’t talk about my mom’s revelation today.

We didn’t talk about how it was safe for me to go home now.

We did, however, talk about what my mother had thrown at me today. We talked about what would happen if I did donate, and what would happen if it didn’t.

“You’re not a diagnosis, Athena. You’re mine. It doesn’t matter what the doctor says. In the end, nothing changes on my end, and I hope you feel the same.”

At the end of the night, Gable took me right back to his place, deposited me into his bed with a t-shirt he’d taken off his own body, and I realized something else.

I didn’t just want the life he could give me.

I wanted everything we could make with that life, too.

I just had to be brave and put myself out there one more time.

But I didn’t do it.

Instead, I fell asleep in Gable’s arms.

And the next morning when I woke, he was talking to another woman in his kitchen, shirtless.

Every family has that one sibling who stresses everyone out. I’m that sibling.

—Gable to Athena

GABLE

I woke to my phone vibrating, and extricated myself from Athena’s Medusa grip to get it.

I pressed answer, but waited until I was well into the kitchen before answering.

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