Page 93 of Waiting for Acceptance
“Son, we’re gonna go learn how to whisper, okay?” Tank drags Hendrix with him into the other room, and I stand there, not knowing what the fuck to do or say after that.
“I am so sorry about him, he’s always been one to just say what’s on his mind. He comes by it honestly, between me and his dad, I’m afraid.” She raises her eyebrows at Lauren and takes a sip of her drink.
“No, I understand. What’s that saying? If you want an honest opinion, just ask a child?” Ruby laughs, giving me a grateful glance, but when I look back down at Lauren, her smile has left.
“Did you um… Are you ready to go?” she whispers, looking at me for confirmation.
“Why don’t we stay? I’d really like to get to know your friends a little better.”
Her face lights up. “Really?”
“Of course.” I smile at her, looking around the room to see that everyone has made themselves busy again. “But, uh…can I talk to you outside really quick?” She nods and stands up, telling the girls around the table that we’ll be right back.
“We have cameras outside!” Shane yells, making Lauren’s eyes widen at her. The girls are all giggling and Shane shrugs. “Do with that what you will.” Lauren rolls her eyes and we walk through the backdoor.
CHAPTER 47
LAUREN
Leave it to my precious godson to make it known in the first five minutes of Fitz being introduced to my friends that he, at one time, made me cry. Not only that but that Tank knows about it and called him a bastard for it. Oh my gosh, this is literally the worst thing that could have happened tonight. No, maybe not. Hendrix could have come up kicking him in the shins, so I guess that’s a win.
I was sure Fitz would want to leave, and probably ask me what the hell that was about, but the fact that he wants to stay? I’m not quite sure what to make of that. I’m practically pinching the shit out of the inside of my thigh worrying about it.
“Lauren, what is going on?” He grabs my hand and I turn to face him.
“I hate it when you call me that,” I mumble, hearing him laugh.
“Sorry, Sweetheart.” I glare at him because he knows that’s not much better. “What is going on?” His brow furrows and I shrug.
“Nothing.”
“Nothing? Well, I don’t think being called a bastard by a six?”
“Seven,” I correct.
“Seven-year-old really qualifies asnothing. Start talking.” I exhale shakily, wishing more than anything Tank hadn’t seen how upset I was that day. This could have all been avoided had I just had a little better grip on my emotions. Which IthoughtI did, but clearly my friends can see right through me.
“The day Tank came to pick me up from work, was the same day I overheard you on the phone talking about the acquisition.” A look of realization washes over him, but I continue when he says nothing. “While I thought I was hiding my emotions pretty well when I left the office, Tank knew something was wrong. It wasn’t until you and I became ‘official’that I overheard him telling Ruby he wasn’t sure he trusted you, simply because he knew that something happened while I was in your office that day, and it hurt me.” He nods, taking in the information.
“Did you tell him it was a misunderstanding?”
“Yeah, I told him everything I could to make him understand. I’m sure Hendrix’s comment has to do with something Tank said about youbeforeI set the record straight, I just… I hate this. I hate that Hendrix thinks you made me cry, I hate that Tank saw me upset that day, and I hate that the first night you met my friends it ended up likethis!All because I couldn’t just tough it up about something as dumb as my job.” Tears sting my eyes and my voice is starting to crack.
“Look at me.” He holds my face in his hands, wiping a fallen tear with the pad of his thumb. “I am so sorry that something I was involved with hurt you. You had every right to be upset that day, and you didn’t do anything wrong by reacting, do you hear me? You’re allowed to care about your job, and the jobs of your co-workers, and be upset about thinking they would lose them. You’re allowed to be pissed at me for not telling you about the acquisition—even though legally I wasn’t supposed to.” I let out a small laugh at that. “You are allowed to feel whatever the hellyou want to feel, and you have nothing to apologize for.” I smile at him and his face morphs into something a little more playful. “So what if Tank and his son think I’m a bastard that made you cry? I was a bastard for making you cry, but they’re not the ones that I’m worried about proving myself to. They’ll come around when they see just how important you are to me, and realize I would never do anything to hurt you.” I shake my head and he smiles.
“Now, let’s get back in there and show them just how awesome I really am.” I laugh so loud I catch the attention of Riley, who had been further out in the yard somewhere. She comes running up to us and Fitz jerks a little.
“Do not tell me you’re scared of dogs,” I tease him.
“Just the ones that move like ninjas, where the hell did this one come from?” He starts looking around and I laugh again.
“This is Riley, she’s Max’s service dog.” I pet behind her ears and she lays her head in my lap.
“I think I saw her at the bar before.”
I smile, thinking of Riley and Maverick’s booth. “You definitely did. It was either her or Maverick, Tank’s dog.”
“You said she’s a service dog? What for?” I look up at him and smile.
