Page 62 of Never Going to Care

I don’t know how things would have gone down differently if they hadn’t dropped everything and helped. I’m glad I don’t have to think about it since it didn’t happen.

I’m not going to let the possibilities of the past change anything for the future. Joe doesn’t deserve anymore of my headspace.

My boss was horrified when I told them what had happened. I don’t think they thought Joe would ever go that far. I think part of me knew it from the beginning.

I just didn’t think he would target me specifically. Not outside of work at least.

I push those thoughts aside because they don’t matter. What does matter is my relationship with Hale and how we’re moving forward, which, tonight, includes family dinner night.

I’m incredibly nervous and excited at the same time.

When Hale’s sisters found out what happened to me, they showed up at Hale’s place the next day with a big box of éclairs and lots of hugs. Hale snuck away from the group of gaggling girls and called Piper, Ella and Stella for me. Once all my girls were around me, I felt more at ease.

None of them made a big deal over what happened. They didn’t even ask me questions. Still, I knew they were aware, but didn’t want to bring it up so soon.

We may not have talked about it, but I knew they were there for me if I wanted to.

I didn’t. I just wanted to enjoy some éclairs and girl talk and I got exactly what I wanted with a side of overprotective and scowling bodyguard even though I was perfectly safe at home with him. I realize now, it’s part of Hale’s love language and I can accept that.

“We are going tonight,” my voice is firm as I walk out of the bathroom to find Hale waiting for me in our bedroom.

His eyes sweep down my body and then back up, heating with desire as they do. “Holy fuck, woman. I don’t think we’re going because you’re too sexy and I don’t want to leave this room now.”

I can’t help but smile at his words. I’m wearing a nice sweater dress which clings to my body. It’s a little more than I might normally wear to a family dinner, but I didn’t want jeans to be the first impression I leave on my in-laws.

I’m trying to cover it up, but I really am nervous about meeting Hale’s parents. I know how much they mean to him and that is a daunting idea. Hale doesn’t let a lot of people in, but those he does he is fiercely loyal to and loves with his whole existence.

I’m damn lucky to be one of those people.

I fidget the entire drive over to the place Hale grew up. I know I have his sisters in my corner, but his parents are a whole other level. The last time I did the whole meet the parents thing was in high school when it was almost unavoidable. Hell, I didn’t even get that far with Stephen. Which is for the best since it turned out so horribly.

I think this time it’s weighing on me more heavily because this one matters. Being with Hale is my forever and if his parents don’t like me, what does that mean for us? I don’t think it’ll change anything for Hale, but I don’t want to put him in a position of having to choose. It wouldn’t be fair.

When we’re parked, Hale turns to me and grips my jaw with one of his big, strong hands. I think if any other man touched me like this, I would feel suffocated, but not with Hale. Never with Hale. He makes me feel loved when he touches me like he owns me.

Because he does.

“They’re going to love you,” he whispers the reminder against my lips before kissing me in the way which makes me forget all my worries and puts me in a haze of lust and need.

I know exactly what he’s doing, and I love him for it. In his arms I only feel. In his arms everything else melts away. In his arms I am home.

When he pulls away from my lips, he studies my face with his dark brown eyes. I don’t know what he sees, but I can see the fierce pride and love he has for me right there. I can see so much now and I almost giggle at how different it is compared to how it was when we first met.

“Love you, Hale,” I whisper.

He smirks at me, his voice cocky, “I know.”

My mouth drops open and he lets me go with a wink before getting out of the SUV and coming around to my side. “You know?” My voice is full of indignation and sass, “You’re supposed to say it back to me.”

“Am I?” He tries to shoot me a look of complete innocence and I gasp, figuring out his plan.

I narrow my eyes at him and take his offered hand before he leads me up to the front door. “I know what you’re doing.” He glances down at me with a question of whether it’s working in his eyes. I lean into his side and give his hand a squeeze as I whisper, “Thank you.”

Hale kisses the top of my head before he knocks on the door. “Always, Starlight.”

I make a humming sound and take a deep breath, bracing myself for whatever is going to greet me on the other side of the door. Having Hale at my side, even when I’m nervous as hell, helps me a lot. Still, I want to make a good first impression.

Maybe I should have brought a gift of some sort? Crap. I definitely should have, but I didn’t even think about it through my nervousness and now it’s too damn late.

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