Page 73 of Take Me Slowly: part 2
"I'm so glad you know everything now," Fiona was saying. "This is like something out of a movie. I can hardly believe it."
"Me either," Leah said. "But it doesn't really change anything. I'm still just me."
"What, no tell-all memoir?" Holly asked. "I bet it would be an instant bestseller."
"No one would believe it," Leah told her. "Anyway, I don't want that kind of scrutiny. If we can keep this amongst us, that would be perfect." She looked around at each of them.
Whitney made a zipping motion in front of her lips with her fingers. "I won't say a word, but you know this is going to get out, right? Small town and all that. People talk."
Leah sighed. "I know, but I'd like a day or two to get used to the idea. And some time to talk to Gavin before everyone knows."
"You're not leaving, are you?" Fiona asked, airing the question we'd all been wondering, and leaving the room in a heavy silence. The only sound was the clock on the wall ticking the seconds away while we waited for Leah to respond.
Leah frowned. "Why would I leave?" She looked around at all of us. Saw how expectant we were. "This isn't one of those 'you weren't born here after all, so you have to get out,' things, is it?"
“'Course not," I said before anyone else could speak. "This is one of those 'you might be looking at the place differently,' things. None of us want you to leave." Ironic, considering the first thing I said to her was to tell her to get out of town. Yeah, a guy can change. Even me.
She rubbed her chin and regarded me. "Connor Ferguson, are you actually giving me a choice right now?"
I frowned and straightened up. If that was how she wanted to play it, then I was here for it.
I cleared my throat so I could respond with my best growl. "Fuck no. You're not leaving. If you try, I'm going to tie you to your bed." I nodded decisively.
"Me too.” Riley stepped over beside me.
"I think I'll tie you to your bed anyway," Brooks said, pretending to look casual and half-disinterested.
"Me too," Josiah said, speaking quickly during a brief moment of silence.
He was taken aback when Fiona leaped to her feet and hurried over to throw her arms around him.
"We were so wrong about you," she said. "I'm so sorry we were all horrible. What you saw that day must have really messed with your head. And everyone being crappy…"
He awkwardly hugged her back until she stepped away. "Some people would say my head was messed up before that." He seemed grateful for the gesture though. As much as someone could be, while being overwhelmed at the same time. It must have been a long time since he was surrounded by so many people. If it was me, I'd probably be running out the door right now.
I shook my head. "So, it's settled. Leah is staying. Or else." I slid her a smile before gulping down the last of my beer. I might be cocky on the outside, but on the inside I was certain she had one foot out of town. I'd never admit to being scared, not for a moment, but I was almost convinced she was going to start packing, and insist we stay behind. Tell us she didn't love us enough to stay, or take us with her. It was the same fear I used to have with Riley, because we cleared that particular piece of air.
That was another change I needed to make. Stop worrying everyone was looking to hitch the first ride out of town. They weren't. They were all here to stay, and so was I.
"I'm staying," Leah agreed. "You couldn't chase me away."
"I know I couldn't," I said, my smile widening. "I tried. You're a stubborn woman and we love that about you."
"Yes, we do," Riley agreed. "Leah came to town and shook us all up, but it was the best thing that happened to Aurora Hollow in a long time."
"You're so right," Fiona said. "Leah is the best thing to happen to this town."
Brooks cleared his throat but grinned.
I nudged him with my elbow. "You're all right too, sort of. For an asshole." We wouldn't stop giving each other shit. At this point I didn't think anyone wanted us to. We kept them entertained.
"I'm better than all right," Brooks said. "One day you'll admit that."
I snorted loudly. "Keep dreaming, bro." But there was no heat in my words. Not anymore. I'd save that for anyone who wanted to give Leah or any of the rest of us a hard time. Like my father. When all of this got out, and it would, conversations would take place. If those conversations didn't include being nice to Josiah, I was going to start swinging. The whole town had a lot to make up for when it came to him.
So fucking much.
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