Page 177 of Finding the Forward: Part Two
“She can wait a little longer, relax with us,” Grif insisted.
“Okay.” I rested my head back on Dean’s chest and enjoyed the moment with the two of them. Everything was fine.
Chapter Fifty-Four
Verity
Sitting on Jonas’ bed, I scrolled through my phone. My belly sank. Everything was not fine. At least, I didn’t think so, judging from all of thedon’t worry,andI have things under controltexts I’d gotten from Hale and Dare.
Mercy wasn’t picking up because her location showed that she was at practice.
“What’s wrong?” AJ came barreling in and launched himself on the bed, wrapping his arms around me.
“I think something happened.” I winced as I re-read the texts. “Shit. I’m such a terrible sister.”
“No, you’re the best sister. I’m sure everything is fine,” AJ assured, giving me a squeeze.
“Who knows? Mercy was left in the care of Dare and Hale. I’ll have to wait until after practice, I guess.” I winced. Dare could be quite responsible and punctual.
Hale, on the other hand…
“If she’s at practice, she didn’t break anything too vital,” he told me. “Odds are they wrecked something.”
“If he smashed my car, I won’t be happy,” I grumbled, imagining what chaos could ensue with Hale in charge.
“Jonas will wreckhimif he does that.” He tweaked my bun. “I love it when you wear your hair like this.”
“My hair needs to be properly washed and deep conditioned,” I replied. Three-in-one man wash didn’t cut it on my hair, but it was sweet of Dean to clean me. “I… I’m sorry I burst into the nest. I could feel him so much, and my instincts got the better of me–”
AJ kissed me. “It’s okay, Princess. Heats are different circumstances. I didn’t consider that you and Dean would feel him. And, well, the soulmate thing. Thank you for literally protecting Grif with your body. I’m sorry I left your side at the hospital, but Jonas and Dean had it, and Grif needed me.”
“That’s what you should’ve done.” I rested my head on his shoulder. “I don’t remember much. Everything happened so fast. At least Winnie will pay for it.” Though the police still wanted to talk to me.
I felt bad for Chet and Winnie’s kids, though. Maybe they could go live with Mrs. Coach? I remembered her being nice.
How had I missed that Derva was my old coach’s daughter? Or that Chet was married to Derva’s sister?
Also, Derva was in trouble for ruining my research. It wasDerva.Shit. I could sort of understand where her hate came from. Still, it was a shitty thing to do even if she was trying to ruin my career the way I’d ruined her dad’s.
Freddie was, of course, somehow innocent of everything, and using the publicity to leverage his way to a new team and agent. Even though he should be implicated in luring me out on the patio.
Whatever. As long as he left me alone.
“I’ll make food soon. Jonas has the hot tub firing up so we can all enjoy it outside in February. But he put a giant bucket of muscle soak in there, so it should feel pretty good,” he told me. “Also, Dean was feeling a little frisky, so he’s with Grif and Jonas.”
“Mmmm hmm, I can feel that.” I had zero interest in that at this moment. Though I had let Dean fuck me medicinally earlier.
AJ kissed my temple. “Do you need anything?”
“Cuddles? Maybe we can put on a game for a bit?” I offered, just wanting to exist with someone for a moment. I could feel the bond pulse between us, between all of us.
“That sounds good. I think we have popcorn and hot chocolate.” He stood and offered me a hand.
We went down the wooden staircase, every step making me ache, and I leaned on the banister because I had no idea where my crutch was.
“So that’s where my shirt went.” AJ looked me up and down. I was wearing one of his button-downs, some leggings, and fuzzy socks.
“Someone packed it for me.” I shrugged as we entered the living room.
