Page 3 of These Pucking Boys: Part Two

“Yes, it has to be. So, I’ll see you soon then?”

“Yeah. We’ll leave now.”

Ryan frowns. “Where are we going?”He seems calmer, but his eyes are still red, his cheeks moist from the tears.

“To the training facility to wait for news there.”

He nods. “Good. Could you drive? I don’t think I should.”

My nervesare shot, but out of the two of us, I’m in a better state of mind to get behind the steering wheel.

“Yeah. I can drive.”I step into his personal space and take his hand.Thisclose to him,I have to tilt my head to look into his eyes.“Everything will be okay, Ryan. I promise.”

He squeezes my hand, then laces his fingers with mine. “I believe you, Peaches. Let’s go.”

I’m glad there’s barely any traffic at this hour. I don’t go over the speed limit, but because we’re so close to the training facility, we make it there in record time.

My pulsebeatsat breakneck speed, and as Ryan and Iwalk holding hands toward the meeting room where everyoneis gathered, my heartisabout to leap from my chest.

Heads turn in our direction, and belatedlyIrealize howmeshowingup with Ryan like this looks.For all intents and purposes,I’m dating Jake, eventhoughI never confirmed that. Wendy’s eyes are red and puffy, but her gaze drops to my and Ryan’s linked hands. I don’t pull away from himthough. She can think whatever she wants.

Melissa strides toward us, and before she can say anything, I ask, “Any news?”

“Not yet.”

The vise around my heart tightens, making it harder to breathe. Ryan releases my hand to throw his good arm around my shoulder and pull me closer to him.

No sooner does she speak than someone’s phone rings, and everyone stops talking at once. A tall guy I don’t remember seeing beforeanswersthe phone. His face is solemn as he listens to the call, and the expression lines on his forehead become more obvious.

A moment later, the tension around his mouth lessens. “Thank you.”

Melissa takes a step toward him, holding her phone against her chest. “And?”

He looks at her, and I canread the relief in his eyes.“They’re okay. The plane landed safely.”

Shouts of celebration erupt in the room. Some people get up from their seats, andothers hug. I watch everything in a daze.They’re okay.Ryan turns me around and hugs me tightly, jolting me back to the here and now.

“They’re alive, Peaches,” he whispers against my neck.

I hug him back, pressing my face against his broad chest. His heart is not beating; it’s galloping at full speed. I close my eyes and take a deep breath of his scent, forgetting where I am. I move only when someone taps me on the shoulder. Melissa.

I step away from Ryan, and embarrassment makes my face hot. I sense people staring—I guess one of them is Wendy—but I focus on Melissa and her bright eyes. She’s holding back tears, and that snaps my self-control. I hug her, already crying. But they’re happy tears. My boys are okay, and they’re coming back to me.

CHAPTER 3

JUNE

Ineed a moment alone to compose myself. The trip to the nearest restroomisuneventful, and I appreciatethe factthat Ryan didn’t insist on accompanying me. My face is still super red, eventhough I stopped crying a few minutes ago.I splash cold water on it, hoping it will help, butthere’snothing Ican doabout my puffy eyes.

My mind is spinning like a top. The scare of almost losing Jake and Lachy was a wake-up call. I’ve fallen hard for them and Ryan. That’s a truth I’ve known for a while, but I was desperately trying to deny or explain it as pure lust.There’s attraction,butthere’salso a visceral feeling in the pit of my stomach telling me that if I can’t be with them, I’ll never be complete again.

I leave the restroom in a daze. I have to tellthemhow I feel.I’m donebeing afraid of what will happen when I confess. I don’t want to be a fun and casual thinganymore. I want them in my life for the long haul, even though it’scrazyand most people won’t understand.

My heart squeezes tight. What if they don’t feel the same way about me? I might lose everything when I lay all my cards on the table.

Suddenly, someone grabs my arm and yanks me into a room. I yelp, but Ryan’s mouth silences me. It’s a fast and hard kiss that leaves me breathless, nonetheless. He pulls back and stares into my eyes. There are so many emotions swirling in them that I can’t pick them apart.But the fire in his gaze is undeniable,anditmelts my bones.

“Ryan...”

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