Page 123 of Devoted

He tickled my ribs. “You’re such a joker.”

But I wasn’t joking. Not about this. Sam had fought against his OCD alone for so long, but he didn’t need to now. He had me. Forever.

He doesn’t know that yet, you moron.

I cursed myself internally. That was another conversation on the agenda for this morning. I’d planned on bringing it up first thing, but it had been clear where Sam’s mind was from the moment he opened his eyes.

Regardless of everything Benji had told him, of what I’d added when I’d got home, he was convinced everyone hated him.

Until we fixed that, he wasn’t going to be able to focus on anything else.

It’s fine,I reminded myself.You’ve got time.

Four whole days of it.

Fuck my life.

“Maybe over text is best,” Sam said, drawing me back to the current conundrum. “Are you sure they won’t mind?”

“Of course not.” I started a fresh group thread, free of any…work discussionsthat might cause alarm bells, and added the Seraphim. With one final click, I added my mate. “There, the floor is all yours. Unless you want me to tell them?”

“No, I can do it.” He smiled at me tentatively. “But thank you for offering. It means a lot that you did.”

I put my arm around his shoulders as he tapped out his first message. I couldn’t wait until we were officially bonded. Until Sam truly understood the lengths I’d go to for him.

Sam

hi, I’m sorry for freaking out yesterday. And I’m sorry for yelling at some of you.

“You don’t need to say sorry,” I huffed. “You don’t apologise for things out of your control.”

Sam rolled his eyes, likely about to argue with me. Fortunately, the Seraphim once again had my back, just as I’d known they would.

Rami

you don’t need to apologise

Benji

You shouldn’t apologise for things you have no control over

Grace

trust me, no one is upset

Breann

if anything, the twins need to be yelled at more

Theo

I’m with Breann. I liked you yelling at me

Nate

yeah, it was kind of hot. If I pay you, will you do it again?

That had me growling and adding my own message to the thread.

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