Page 20 of Zac

“One with naked slumber parties.” Rolling my eyes at my cousin I toss a grape and it bounces off her cheek.

“There is no nakedness, beside that one time.”

“Which time?”

Is she serious?

“Oh you mean the first time?”

“Yes.” Aurora and I carry on a conversation like the other two aren’t even there, but I know they are listening to every word. “We know that being friends is better than being enemies. We have a baby that we are about to bring into the mix and getting along will be better for all of us."

I leave out the part about how I’ve never in my life felt more comfortable and relaxed around anyone. He gives me this weird sense of peace, but I’m still leery of letting it all settle.

I keep waiting for it all to be ripped out from under me.

“I think we both realize a friendship is necessary considering we will be a part of each other’s lives for years to come. We can’t risk it all blowing up.

All three of them continue to stare at me like I am lying.

Needing to take the focus off me, I ask Luna how it feels to be married and the next thing I know they are all talking about an upcoming celebration. I allow the tension that had settled in my shoulders to relax and sit quietly as the three of them debate drink choices and food.

I’m thankful that they seem to have forgotten all about me. For once I am okay to be invisible.

ChapterFifteen

Zac

“What’s all this?” Oliver asks as he and Jace enter my place and look around at the chaos. “You having a fucking slumber party?” He chuckles, picking up two huge square pillows and turning them over.

The two of them then proceed to start smacking one another with the oversized pillows and instead of arguing with them, I walk over to the kitchen. Within minutes Jace is in a headlock and Olly is dragging him in my direction.

“Really.” He finally releases Jace and sits down on one of the barstools. “What’s going on here?”

I know how this works. I tell them, they hassle me, and I’m left wondering if I’m doing the right thing.

“Aurora tells me that Presley and Gray are coming over for movie night,” Jace answers the question for me and I avoid looking up. Instead I start tearing the grapes off the vine and tossing them into the strainer.

“She was over at her place earlier and Gray was bouncing off the walls with excitement.”

I smile as I picture it. “That what this is all for?”

“What kid wouldn’t like a fort?”

“You call that a fort?” Oliver says, looking back over his shoulder.

“Well it will be, if you two hadn’t interrupted me.”

“Fuck that.” He stands and starts making his way back to the living room. “I’ll do this.” Jace and I watch as Oliver takes charge. He is so meticulous with the placement of each pillow and the positioning of the fort that goes over the top. So yes, I may have gone a little overboard and purchased a kit. But this place is huge and I really wanted Gray to love it.

Pres and I have had a couple overnight stays. They were completely innocent, more like two best friends than two people who shared one hot night together. This would be the first time Gray came along.

I am excited and nervous, I want him to love it.

After a few minutes Jace and I join Oliver. He takes charge commanding where we put things, ensuring it is all secure. I want to laugh but truth be told it is nice to see this side of him. I won’t say it to him, because he’d probably deny it and brush it off, but he’ll be a great father one day.

We’ve all had hardship in our lives, some more horrible than others. Each one of us has fears of not being the kind of person that could raise a child without screwing up. Jace insists that no child deserves to be cursed to have him as their dad. But honestly, I think he’d be the most fierce, caring, and compassionate one of all of us. Oliver is and has always been the one to watch over us all, to do his best to fix anything wrong and to hold us up when we fall. He is loyal and the size of the guy’s heart, well, he loves hard. But he does his very best to maintain that badass, don’t fuck with me demeanor.

Today I got a glimpse of his soft side. The part of him that is still just a big kid.

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