Page 59 of Teach Me to Laugh

“There’s my girl.” His eyes found Kaiden. “Kai,”

“Daniel.” Kaiden grinned, “Good to see you.”

“It is.”

Kaiden had already been squeezed half to death by his mother, Gracie. She was sweeter than sweet and Madison absolutely adored her. It was obvious by the way she closed her eyes and trembled just slightly when Gracie closed her arms around her for what Madison called aheart hug.I’d heard of these heart hugs, and it was another reason I adored Kaiden’s parents, even though I didn’t really know them.

“I made chili,” Keith, Kaiden’s father, announced proudly, his eyes trained on me. “Heard you were the designated cook,” he winked. “Figured I’d give you a break today.”

I felt the urge to smile, but it still felt a little weird, so I just nodded, “Thank you.”

His grin never faltered. “Dinner will be ready in about an hour.”

“I’m going to grab a quick shower.” Raina said, thumbing over her shoulder as she walked backward to her room. “I’m feeling icky and sweaty.”

At the chance to escape and gather my bearings, I thumbed the stairs over my shoulder. “The same for me,” and then I was fleeing.

I was sitting on the bed in my housecoat after my shower when a tap on the door sounded. “Come in,” I called, knowing it was Beckett and my heart kicking up at notch at the thought.

When I saw him, my heart didn’t just race. It melted. It melted and it hummed with pleasure at seeing his warm whiskey eyes land on me. His lips quirked up at the corner in a lopsided grin as he closed the door behind him quietly. It was when he was stepping into the room, coming closer to me, that the racing set forth full-force.

“You okay?”

“Why wouldn’t I be okay?” God, I even sounded breathless. Pathetic. I’m entirely pathetic.

“You looked a little shocked to see the parents here.”

“No.” I said. “I knew they were coming.”

“I know, but seeing someone have something you want can sometimes be a little much to handle.”

My belly dropped—after it tightened into a mess of knots.

I wanted to tell him I didn’t know what he was talking about, but I did. It was always hard to see someone who was lucky enough to have two, or even one loving parent in their lives. It was hard, because I knew I would never have that. I’d lost what I had—and then I’d obliterated any chance that I might have had to find that when I’d refused to talk. Later, I was just too old for someone to want to take a chance on.

Now—now there was no chance. The only family I’d ever have for myself was the family I’d eventually make. I knew my friends were, in a way my family, but that’s not the same thing as a real honest family. The one that would love you no matter what.

Strong jean clad thighs stopped before me, but I didn’t bother lifting my eyes to his. I didn’t want him to see all the sadness that lived inside of me, shining bright and on display in a way that made me feel deeply vulnerable.

So much had happened in the last week, and even the last few months. My life had changed. The whole view I had on the way I lived my life had changed. I’d realized that maybe I didn’t have to hide my happy from the world, to stay safe. Maybe I could have it all—all the beauty the other girls who weren’t so wounded, their wings clipped young, had. Maybe I could have Beckett too . . .

His thumb slipped beneath my chin and I felt my face tipping up, my eyes meeting his. Mine were heavy and rimmed in wet that, when he saw it, made his go dark. His lips parted and he pulled my body from the bed, swiftly maneuvering me into his lap.

This position wasn’t one I was in any way accustomed to. I felt small, like a doll. I felt out of control, but in no way did my sudden lack of control make me the victim or the preyed upon. I didn’t feel weak and I didn’t feel helpless. I felt, and loved that I felt, as though I were something to cherish. I felt as though I werehisto cherish—not to own—but tocarefor.

So I didn’t think as I let instinct take over, and my arms moved around his waist, holding tightly to his strength. I didn’t think about it when I let my face drop into his warm throat, and I didn’t think when I inhaled the pure scent of Beckett. I didn’t think when I closed my eyes and breathed easy against a man I’d come to trust implicitly.

And when his hand began to slide, open palmed and warm along the length of my spine, I didn’t think about that either.

“Tell me you’re okay, Amara?” His voice was low and querying. I was thinking there was a bit of hesitation in his words too, but I couldn’t have been certain.

“I am.” My voice was soft and filled with emotion I was having difficulty comprehending fully.

“You know you have me, right?”

“What?” Now I was really confused.

“Me?” He kept tracing his warm palm along the length of my spine. “You have me. I’ll be here for you when you need me for anything. I was there for you before you let me in at all.” I felt his lips twitch against my hairline as his hand moved to cup the back of my neck. “I was there for you the moment I first saw you this past summer. You had me hooked, Amara, and I fell for you more and more with every lash of your tongue as we drove to Spruce Grove for Raina’s birthday.”

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