Page 85 of From Us, Forever

“A new day tomorrow?”

I smiled, my heavy lids drooping. “A new day,” I agreed.

CHAPTER 16

“I made you guys some cookies,” I said, arranging a plate topped with chocolate chip cookies on the table.

“Thank you, beautiful.” A wide, cheeky grin plastered across Raphael’s face.

“The next time you call her that, you can take your skinny ass out of my house,” Jay warned, shooting him a glare.

“Fuck, man.” Raphael’s eyes widened as he held out a hand. “Calm the fuck down, and who the hell do you think you’re calling skinny? I get 158 grams of protein per day.”

“Yet you still don’t have a brain,” Jay commented dryly.

While they both argued, Mikey stole the cookies from right under their noses and demolished them.

“Fuck, these are too good, E,” he moaned, leaning back on the couch as he popped another one in his mouth.

I eased down by his side, squeezing his shoulder. “Thanks, Mikey. Do you think he will stop?” I gestured to the overgrown adult who was my man, bickering with a teenager like a silly kid.

Raphael had come to spend the day with us so he could learn guitar skills from Jay, literally one of the best guitarists in the world.

Lucky kid.

But even though he acted like he had zero brain cells, the kid was talented, his drive and passion reminded me of Jay from back in the day. Only this time, Raphy was in good hands unlike the boys. I trusted Matty in his vision to make him a big star one day. Even though the kid had a big mouth, he deserved it more than anyone.

“Nope, not when it comes to you,” Mikey answered.

“Raphy just has a silly little crush. You know how hormonal teenagers are.”

Mikey gave me a side-eye. “Like how you were with Emmie?”

I blushed. “We weren’t that bad.”

“Tell that to the people who tolerated you both.” He grinned. “Jay, I love you.” Mikey’s voice turned nasally high. “Jay, who is your favorite person in the whole wide world? Jay! Jay! Jay!”

“Stop,” I groaned, smacking him with a throw pillow while he kept going.

He laughed hard, trying to defend himself.

“What the fuck is going on here?” Jay’s steely voice halted us.

“I didn’t do a thing; it was all your girl.” Mikey sported an innocent face.

Jay sighed, his eyes meeting mine. “Why the fuck is everyone obsessed with my girl? Evelyn, can you please go to your room? I don’t want you anywhere around these losers.”

He did not just say that.

Mikey noted the expression on my face. “Uh-oh, you’re in big trouble, Emmie.”

“Yes, big trouble,” Raphy added, his eyes dashing to me. “Which is why I think Evy should be mine.”

“That’s it.” Jay set Firebird aside and was ready to tackle Raphy.

Mikey and I burst out laughing when Raphy instead went for Firebird—which Jay didn’t allow anyone to ever touch, like ever.

“You little fucker.” Jay narrowed his eyes and snatched Raphy by the collar before he could even touch the guitar.

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