Page 16 of Waiting for Acceptance
“I know, but it sounded like someone was getting their eyes scratched out.” I roll my lips together to keep from laughing because he’s made a grave mistake letting it slip that he had previous knowledge of this very juicy gossip anddidn’ttell his soon-to-be wife.
“It might be you in a minute. What. Do. You. Mean. You.Knew?”
“Oh, well…” He looks to the guys for help, who both know better than to get involved.
“Nope.” Tank shakes his head.
“You’re on your own, brother.” Max shrugs.
“Oh, I think Cece needs her Uncle Tucker.” He backs into the house and blows Taylor a kiss.
“Mhm, I’ll deal with you later,” she mumbles.
“Promise?”
Stop being so in love already.
I turn my attention back to Leah. “So what does thismeannnn?”
“I don’tknowwww,” she mocks. “Jackson showed up and things got kind of messy.” She pulls her phone out of her pocket and shows us the text he just sent her and my heart does this weird flip. He wants her to meet him at a rooftop lounge that isknownfor its very exclusive parties, and he seems very adamant that she shows up.
After finally convincing her and helping her get ready, the excitement on her face could light up the night sky far better than any firework ever could.
So help me God, if he hurts her, I’ll bury him under the hockey arena he plays in.
The weird feeling in my chest grows more prominent once Leah leaves to meet Sawyer. I don’t get it though. I’mhappyfor her. All I ever want for any of my friends is for them to be happy, to find love—if that’s what they want—and chase every singledream they have. I guess the realization that I’m the last woman standing alone in the group makes me feel a bit sad.
“Ok. I think I need to call it a night.” I let out a sigh, pulling myself up from the couch.
“What? It’s not even midnight yet!” Ruby pouts, though I can tell she’s more than ready to call it a night.
“I know. I know. I’m such a party pooper, but I am desperate for sleep and if I don’t leave now I will end up crashing on your couch and I do not want a pillow face in the morning.”
“Fineeee.” She sticks her tongue out at me and I shake my head at her.
“Love you, mean it.” I blow kisses at Ruby, Taylor, and Shane and say bye to the guys who all have my girls wrapped up in their arms.
“Later Sour Patch, text Ruby when you get home,” Tank requests, and I can’t help but roll my eyes.
“I can get myself home safely, Dad.”
“I believe you. Just prove it with a text when you get there.” He grins at me and I smirk before walking out the front door. I stop short when I hear a faint noise coming from beside me and look down to see the tiniest little calico kitten sitting on Tank and Ruby’s front porch. I turn around and peek my head back inside.
“Tank, Ruby, did you guys get a new pet?” They look at each other with furrowed brows and shake their heads.
“No, why?” Ruby answers, turning to face me again.
“No reason. Just a stray wandering around I guess. Goodnight.” I close the door and look down, the sweet little kitten barely making a sound as it meows.
Just get in the car and drive away, Lauren.
Then the damn thing rubs against my boot and I turn into butter, melting onto the ground beside it.
“Hi, baby. Where’s your mama?” I pet between her little ears—then check to see if it is in fact aher. “You out here all by yourself?”
Meow.
“Well, that just won’t do.” I pick her up and look at her sweet little green eyes and before I know it, I’m walking through my front door with a kitten wrapped in my coat.
