Page 82 of Play It Off

We kiss, and Gavin of course takes it a little further than he should, causing Coop to clear his throat. We spring apart from each other, Gavin scratching the back of his neck again while Everleigh is clutching her hands in front of her chest, a giant smile on her face.

“Oh my gosh, you two are so cute together! I love it. And from the sounds of that recording, you were going to tell everyone anyway. The Uber driver kind of helped with it? Maybe?”

Ever winces after saying that, and Gavin rolls his eyes while I shrug.

“I’m still pissed at him,” Gavin mutters. “If I ever come across that guy again, I’m blasting him.”

“We can kick his ass,” Nico suggests, his face lighting up at the idea.

“Yeah, most definitely.” Frank thrusts his fist into the air.

“No way.” Gavin shakes his head. “I’m mad at him, but not that mad.”

“I’m so happy for the two of you,” Ever says, rising to her feet. “Come here and give me a hug. This is a big deal. Two of my favorite people are together and in love! This is a great day. We should celebrate.”

Gavin and I stand and approach her, the three of us moving into a group hug, and slowly but surely, more people join us. Frank. Nico.

Even Coop.

My brother inserts himself in between me and Gavin, slinging his arms around our shoulders and glancing down at me. “You really love him?”

“I do,” I whisper.

He turns to look at Gavin. “You better take care of her, Gav. She’s the sweetest woman on this planet. You don’t deserve her.”

“I know,” Gavin says solemnly.

“You break her heart, I’ll break your throwing arm. I mean it.”

“Damn, Coop,” Nico mutters, but Everleigh slaps him in the chest, shutting him up.

“I won’t break her heart. And she owns mine already.” Gavin tilts his head so he can look at me. “I’m going to marry her someday.”

“Oh wow,” Everleigh whispers. “This is so romantic.”

“Way to make me look bad,” Nico grumbles, earning another light slap from Everleigh.

“Are you okay with that?” Gavin asks Coop.

“I’m okay with it.” Coop pauses. “Brother.”

I’m crying. Gavin and Coop are hugging each other, and Everleigh runs over to me, gathering me up in a fierce hug.

“I can’t stay mad at you,” she murmurs before kissing my cheek. “But we’re going out to dinner this week. Just the two of us. I need alllll the details about what happened.”

“Yes, let’s get together. I promise I’ll tell you everything,” I say, wiping the tears away from my eyes, glancing over my shoulder to find Gavin already watching me, love shining in his gaze.

All that love I see there, it’s all for me.

Me.

We go back to my apartment after having dinner with everyone at the house. Everleigh and I made it, and it was so freeing in a different way, being able to show all my love and affection for Gavin and not havingto hide my feelings any longer. I could tell he felt the same. At one point he came into the kitchen, his hands settling on my hips when he stood behind me, and he gave me a quick kiss on the neck. Everleigh about lost it over the sweet gesture, and he flashed her a quick smile before he exited the kitchen as fast as he’d entered it.

“That man loves you,” she whispered, her excitement for me palpable.

“He really does,” I whispered back, just before we started giggling like middle schoolers.

Her enthusiasm about our relationship makes me even happier, and while I understand why they put us through it, I’m grateful they’re thrilled for us. I have supportive friends. A supportive brother too.

---