Page 66 of Bump and Run
“Charlie, we can’t just get married.”
I rolled off him and onto the bed on my back. “Why not?”
“Because we just can’t. I want you to marry me because you love me, not because your father hates me or the idea of us together.” Jones twisted on his side.
I pressed my mouth to his forehead. “Bashful, I do love you. I want to be with you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” I tucked a curl behind his ear. “Sure, if we get married, my father is going to be royally pissed, but it will make me the happiest man in the world.”
“Yes.” Jones’s voice was hardly a whisper.
I shoved him over onto the bed and blanketed his body with mine. “You’re saying yes? To marrying me?”
“Yes, Charlie, we should get married.” Jones’s cheeks burned pink.
I sealed my mouth to his. “You’re really going to be mine.”
“I’ve always been yours,” Jones reminded me and gave me a shy smile.
I smiled. “Yeah, and I’ve always been yours.”
Jones giggled happily and wrapped his arms around my back to pull me closer. “Charlie?”
“Mm.” I kissed his neck.
“If we’re going to get married, shouldn’t I have a ring?” he asked.
I pulled back. “Shit, you’re right. I should get you a ring.” I jumped from the bed. “Something really beautiful, just like you. But not something that will outshine you.”
“Charlie.” Jones sat up. “That’s not necessary. I was only teasing you.”
I shook my head. “If we’re going to show everyone that we’re serious, then you need one.” I turned and then walked back to him, shoving his thighs apart. “Let me do that for you.”
“Wait.” Jones climbed to his feet, went over to the dresser, pulled it open, and began to dig around inside. He turned back to me, holding something in his hand. “You could give me this. Again.”
I stared at the cheap ring in his hand. I remembered the day I went to the arcade with his friends and traded in all the tickets for it. The night I slid it onto his finger and promised that I would always be his. I meant it then, and I meant it now.
“You kept it.”
“Yeah, of course I kept it. Despite what happened, it was important to me, and look, we’re together now.” Jones beamed up at me.
I patted the mattress. Jones hurried to sit down, then I took the ring from his hand and dropped to one knee.
“Marry me, Jonesy. Marry me and let me love you forever. I’ll put you first, no matter what. I’ll take care of you. I’ll put your happiness before my own and—Oof!”
I laughed as he launched himself at me and knocked me to the floor. Jones peppered kisses against my face.
“I love you,” he whispered.
I smiled against his lips. “Is that a yes then, Bashful?”
“It’s always yes with you, Charlie.”
Chapter Thirty
Jones
My stomach was twisted into knots. I felt like I was going to pass out at any moment. Ollie was going to freak out when I told him the plans Charlie and I had made. He would try to convince me not to get married and tell me that it was a terrible idea. That I was too young, that Charlie was going to hurt me again. I knew in the depths of my soul that Charlie and I were meant to be. Why else would he have come back into my life? Now I just had to convince my best friend.
It wouldn’t be easy.
