Page 70 of Justus
Isee Justus return to our table and sit down, propping his foot on his knee.Through the rest of the dance, he never takes his eyes off of me. I can’t tellif what I see burning in his gaze is anger or lust. As soon as the song ends,and a slow song begins, he gets to his feet and heads toward me. Pissed orhorny? I guess I’m going to find out.
“CanI cut in?” he asks, his eyes daring Ronald to refuse.
Ronaldjust smiles. “Of course. Thanks for the dance, Sadie.”
Justustakes me in his arms and pulls me close, moving to the music. This kind ofdancing we can do. “I can’t leave you alone for a second, can I? Didn’t taketwo minutes for Capone over there to move in.”
“Areyou seriously jealous?” His lips tuck in, and his silence is all the answer Ineed as I gaze up at him. “You realize how hypocritical that is, right?”
Asmall grin blooms on his face. “Yes, which is why I didn’t come over here andrip his arms off for touching you.”
“Hmm,can’t say I hate giving you a little taste of your own medicine.”
Hisbreath warms my face as he murmurs, “Were you trying to make me jealous?”
“No,if I was, I wouldn’t have chosen a gay guy.”
Laughing,he spins me around, planting his lips on mine before I even know which way I’mfacing. My entire body goes limp in his arms as he kisses me until we’re theonly two people in the room, hell, in the universe. “I need to get you home andnaked.”
“Yes,”I sigh, and he grabs my hand, leading me out of there.
* * * *
Thenext few weeks pass without any major problems. Justus attends family therapywith Hannah, and she seems to be doing well. Although he won’t admit it, it’sbeen good for him to have someone to talk to as well. Maybe he hasn’t gonethrough the horror that Hannah endured, but growing up in foster care with noone who really cared about him has to leave some scars.
Fallhas arrived bringing its cooler temperatures. It’ll be winter before we knowit, so I want to try to get everyone together for a day of some outdoor fun.When I see an ad for a new place that’s just opened up which boasts anexpansive outdoor paintball arena, I jump on the phone to Ayda.
Fromthe first time he mentioned loving paintball, I wanted to try it, even though Iknow I can’t shoot for shit. This year has been filled with so much drama, somany ups and downs, and we need some fun. It takes a little planning aroundeveryone’s schedules, but with Zoe and Ayda’s help, I manage to get all theguys together, plus Zoe, Ayda, and Dare’s sister, Leah. Zoe’s best friend,Frannie, is here as well, although I’m not sure whether Zoe invited her orJeremy did. We tried to invite Hannah, but she declined, choosing to stay inthe air conditioning at Justus’s place.
We’rejust about to suit up when I notice the ring on Ayda’s finger. Her shy smileblooms as I grab her hand. “Ayda?”
Shenods. “Dare asked me this morning.”
“You’regetting married!” I squeal, hugging her hard.
“Andsoon, too. I want to be married before the baby comes.”
Everyonecongratulates her and Dare, trading hugs and pats on the back. “Wait, is iteven safe for you to play paintball when you’re pregnant?”
Laughing,she replies, “The baby is about the size of my thumb at this point, and I havebody armor, so yes.”
“Allright. Let’s do this,” Dare says.
Justussmiles at me as he dons his paintball goggles, and I laugh, shaking my head atthe man who somehow crawled his way into my heart. The day we chose turned outto be a hot one, a rarity for our area this time of year. It’s almost ninetydegrees out here, and he’s dressed head to toe in camo fatigues while everyoneelse is dressed for the weather. He can be so goofy, but it’s one of the thingsI love about him. Like me, he doesn’t give a shit what anyone thinks.
Aftera lot of good natured arguing about teams, we decide to just pair up ascouples. Since Tucker and Leah are the only two not attached, they get stucktogether, and by the look on Dare’s face, I’m not sure he’s cool with it. Idoubt he has anything to worry about. Tucker has nearly ten years on Leah, andI’ve never seen him with a woman. I think he may be gay and just not ready tolet the rest of us know, though I know no one would have a problem with it.
“Thatpart of your stripper wardrobe?” Landon teases, gesturing to Justus’s clothes.
Aydalaughs. “Oh hell, tell me they aren’t breakaway pants!”
Justuspulls me to his side. “For your information, Sadist and I have an agreement. Nogetting naked outside of work unless she says it’s okay.”
“Thankfuck,” Tucker grumbles, and everyone laughs.
“Awe,can’t we have a little peek, Sadie?” Frannie teases.
“Maybelater.”
