Page 47 of Liberating Love

Jovany laughs from his spot on the loveseat. “They looked like vultures. It was disgusting. I only got one, but it was delicious.”

I shake my head. “You guys are going to have to do an extra hour of cardio tomorrow.”

Drix leans back, patting his stomach. “Worth it.”

I laugh, and Jameson says, “We’re going to work out early tomorrow before work if you want to join us.”

My eyebrows shoot up. “Yeah?”

He nods. “Sure. You can be my witness when Drix cries like a baby because I make him run on the treadmill instead of walking like a snail.”

“I do not cry,” Drix complains, reaching over to punch his friend’s shoulder. “And I don’t walk on it, either. Ass.”

Jameson laughs and punches him back, then glances over at Jovany and says, “You can come, too, if you want.”

Jovany grins widely. “That sounds good, little bro.”

When I glance at Delaney, I see a fond smile on his face as he watches his sons. With a sigh, I lean back in my seat and listen to my friends carrying on together, relieved that today is going so well. I hadn’t expected them to be so accepting and understanding, but maybe I should have. They’ve proven to me time and again that they care about me, it’s just hard for me to believe. It’s almost like I don’t know how to have friends, but I’m trying; I’m going to try harder.

Delaney rests his hand on my thigh and gives it a little squeeze, so I press my shoulder harder into him, my boyfriend. God, I can hardly believe he wants to give this a go with me. This is really happening, isn’t it? This whole time I’ve been trying to keep my feelings at bay because I honestly didn’t think we’d ever be able to tell anyone. And now… now Delaney is breaking down my walls left and right, and I honestly couldn’t be happier that it’s him doing it.

He turns to me and asks, “You okay, Freckles?”

I offer him a genuine smile. “I’m good.”

He brushes a kiss to my forehead, then turns back to the room only to find all three guys staring at us in mixtures of curiosity, amusement, and distaste. It’s almost enough to make me laugh, but I hold it back. It’s going to take a while for them to get used to this, and since they’re trying, I can’t hold it against them. After a few seconds, they pick their conversation back up and Delaney nudges me with his shoulder before chuckling a little.

I smile up at him and kiss his shoulder before jumping into the conversation with my friends, with my boyfriend by my side. It’s really kinda perfect, and I think I can get used to this.

17

Delaney

“Idon’t know about this,” Aiden says, slowing his steps as we walk toward Jack’s to meet up with my friends.

“Come on, Freckles.” Wrapping my arm around his shoulders, I propel him forward. “You know Jack, and you’ve met my other two friends before, too.”

He stops abruptly. “Um, hello. They were excited to meet your son. No one was focused on me, but on Jovany. What if they think I’m too young for you? Or not good enough or something? I don’t know. I’m not sure this is a good idea.”

He’d been complaining since last night when I asked him to come along for my weekly check-in with my friends. At one point, I wasn’t sure he would, but then he pulled on his shoes and grabbed his jacket. We’re right outside, but there’s a big sign advertising the weekly specials in the window we’re in front of, so I turn Aiden toward me and cup my hand under his chin to tilt his eyes up to meet mine. “Okay, Aiden. What’s this really about?”

He expels a shaky breath. “It’s like, one minute we were nothing but a secret hook-up, then bam! Everyone knows and we’re going places with each other and…” He shuffles his feet, then reaches up to grasp my hips. “Do you think we’re moving too fast?”

I snort, which makes his eyebrows shoot up toward his hairline. “You’re kidding, right? Too fast?” Moving my hand from his chin to cup his cheek, I step in closer. “Sweet Aiden, we’ve moved anything but quickly. And this has been way more than a hook-up since I got my dick back in your sweet ass at my house the first time. I’ve been a man on a mission, whether you knew it or not.”

Aiden blinks up at me before a smile spreads slowly across his face. “You’re awfully cocky, lately.”

Shaking my head, I say, “Confident, Freckles. There’s a big difference. One thing I decided while I was away was that I was going to live my life for me from now on. Chase the things that make me happy. There was no way I was letting you slip through my fingers, not because of my kids, your mom”—I kiss the tip of his nose—“or because of your stubbornness. You make me happy, and I think you kinda like having me around, too.”

Aiden reaches up and pecks my lips, then steps back. He strides quickly toward the door, saying over his shoulder, “Well, come on. What are you waiting for?”

A bit of his bravado slips and his steps falter as we round the corner to go back to where the guys are all sitting waiting for us at our usual table. Grabbing his hand in mine, I lift it to my lips, then pull him along.

“Foxy,” Jack says—loudly, standing and reaching out a hand to shake mine before turning a teasing smile onto Aiden. “Officer McGuire, it’s nice of you to join us.”

That delicious shade of red floods Aiden’s cheeks. “Stop, Jack. Please call me Aiden.”

Jack’s booming laughter visibly startles Aiden, but he allows himself to be pulled into a long-lasting side-hug by my old friend.

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