Page 32 of Embracing Easy

“For making me feel safe.”

Her words hit me square in the chest. “Always,” I promise. “You’re always safe with me.”

Chapter Thirteen

Lexi

The bass from inside the clubhouse vibrates through my bones as Shawn guides me toward the entrance, his hand warm and steady against my lower back. The parking lot is packed.

“You ready for this?” Shawn asks, his breath hot against my ear.

I smooth down the front of my black dress—borrowed from G after Shawn mentioned I needed something “club appropriate” for tonight. The fabric hugs my curves in a way that made Shawn's eyes darken when he saw me in it, but now I'm second-guessing everything. “Do I have a choice?”

His fingers tighten slightly on my hip. “Always, baby. We can turn around right now if you want.”

The thing is, I don't want to turn around. As terrifying as this is, being formally introduced as his old lady; I want it.

Want him—want this life he's offering me on a silver platter.

I blow out a breath and shake out my arms, feeling some of the tension slip away. “I’m ready,” I say, and mean it.

Shawn pushes open the heavy door, and we step into organized chaos. Music pounds through massive speakers, a game is playing on a large screen hung above the biggest sofa I’ve ever seen, and the faint smell of cigarette smoke lingers in the air. There are a few dozen people packed into the common room, some dancing, some gathered around a bar at the back, and others playing pool at the tables in the back.

His hand never leaves my back as he guides me through the crowd. Several people call out to congratulate him as we pass, and I hear the respect in their voices.

“There they are!” G’s familiar voice cuts through the noise, and I spot her making her way through the crowd. She's stunning in a red dress that shows off her petite body, her blonde hair falling in waves past her shoulders. Closing the last few feet, she pulls me into a big hug. “Ready to meet everyone, honey?”

“Uhh... Sure,” I manage, still adjusting to how freely Shawn’s family shows affection.

“Come on.” She links her arm through mine. “The girls are waiting to meet you,” she says, throwing a look over her shoulder at Shawn. “Sorry, handsome, but I’m stealing your woman for a bit.”

His eyes meet mine, checking if I'm okay with this.

I give him a small nod. If I’m going to be a part of his life, that means his family too.

“Be good,” he warns teasingly.

I roll my eyes. I’m not sure what kind of mischief he thinks I’m going to get into here. “And keep her away from Harley's moonshine. That shit's lethal,” he calls over my head to G.

G just laughs as she drags me behind her toward the seating area in the corner. I’m surprised by how much quieter it is back here as we approach the women who are already kicked back with drinks in their hands.

“Ladies,” G announces, “meet our newest sister.”

A swarm of butterflies flutter in my belly. Sisters. The only family I can remember are my grandparents, and like everyone else, I lost them too.

Lifting my hand, I wave nervously at everyone as G starts making introductions.

“This is Oakland,” she points out the adorable blonde with a halo of wild corkscrew curls, “the twins, Sierra and Kierra.” The two women are identical, and I already know I’m going to struggle to keep them straight. “And these gorgeous gals are Harley and former cheer queen Braelynn.”

“Cheer queen?”

Braelynn laughs, her shoulders shrugging. “I was an NFL cheerleader before I had my son.”

My brows go up. “Wow.”

“Okay, come sit by me. We’ve been dying to get you alone,” Oakland cuts in, patting the space next to her on the couch.

I take the spot beside her. “Here, you'll need this,” she adds, handing me a glass of something amber-colored.

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