Chapter b33/bb: /bAJ bPOV /b

I know what is going through Hunter’s mind as he sits across from me during dinner that I’m having second thoughts about my involvement bwith /b,

He couldn’t be more wrong. I’ve always been quiet and contemtive when I dedicate my thoughts to something important.

He fails toprehend though that La Kincaid is the most important thing in my life back when we were neighbors and even more so now after I found her again. She is my end goal in life, no matter how much baggage, trauma, or issues she believes she might have.

We all worry in some way, shape, or form that we might not be good enough, or mentally healthy enough to allow another person close to us. But that is the beauty of finding “your person“. Helping each other ovee those hurdles, aiding your significant other to heal, and bing better versions of yourselves, together, is the most beautiful and rewarding experience.

Hunter and Cade are bantering on the other side of the ind. After they came to the mutual understanding that they would share La, their dynamic shifted somewhat. I can’t put my finger on it, but it’s almost like they are less guarded.

Initially, because society teaches us that monogamy bis /bwhat a rtionship should look like, the idea confounded me.

How can a guy, who ims to love his girl, be okay with seeing her with another guy as he holds herb, /bforts her, kisses herb, /band eventually is intimate with her? Wouldn’t he get jealous and ultimately possessive? That is not healthy, for any rtionship.

But sitting here, thinking back to those short sexy moments earlier at the bowling alley, no jealousy made itself known as I watched her flirt with them. It would have been different if she left me out, but her attention was divided equally, and each enjoyed a different aspect of her as she discovered her sensual side.

She deserves to have multiple men at her feet as they worship her like a goddess, pampers her like a newborn kitten, and nkets her in love and affection. And being the selfish bastard I am, I want to be one of the lucky ones to bask in her lifeblood.

Xavier, the sulking bastard, hasn’t spoken a word since we left his dad’s house. I can only imagine that the argument he had with Cade is bthe /bmain reason for his broodiness. But none of bus /bwill be letting him off the hook easily after the shittyments he made.

I get that he is conflicted and feels confused. But that does not justify his actions, all because he has some deep–seated issues with his dad and an aversion to cultivating meaningful rtionships with women.

But I for one, will not hide my interest and affection for La so he doesn’t feel neglected. Fuck that shit.

Hunter’s phone chimes and when he reads the message on his

“Moira just texted that La is home safeb./bb” /b

Treen, bI /bsee his shoulders visibly rx.

Cade and I immediately perk up. Knowing she’s safe is ba /bgreat brelief/b. I don’t know what bI /bwould’ve done if something happened to her after she left.

“Do you think we contact La, check in with her, and find out how she’s phone.

holding bup/b?” Cade asks, already reaching into his pocket, presumably for his

Hunter, bever /bthe bvoice /bof reason, bsays/bb, /b“Let’s give her tonight. I imagine her emotions are btopsy/bb–/bturvy and bwe /bdon’t want to overwhelm her.”

Before Cade and I can concede that he’s right, Xavier pipes up, “For fuck’s sakeb, /bstop babying her. She should pull up her big girl panties and get over itb./b”

The subsequent silence that engulfs the kitchen speaks volumes. What bdid /bthis motherfucker just bsay/bb? /b

Before bI /bcan beven /bget to bmy /bbfeet/b, intent onying him out, Cade bis /bon him like ba /bcheap suit.

forearm is bpressed /bup against his throatb. /bbNot /bbenough /bto In the next second, Xavier is shoved off his barstool and mmed into the wall behind him. Cad cut off his air supply, but enough to make sure he stays bput /band shuts the fuck up while listening carefully.

“The bnext /btime byou /bspeak about La like that, I will knock byou /bbthe /bfuck bout/bb. /bContinue bwith /bbyour /bbullshitb, /bband /bI’ll make bsure /bthe whole boffensive /bbline /bbforgets /bto protect their QB during our next game.”

bXavier is /bmomentarily stunned, and his beyes /bwiden in shock. Truthfully, bCade’s /bthreat bhas /bbtaken /bbme /baback btoo/bb, /bbbut /bbI’m /bbhere /bbfor /bbit/bb. /bbXavier /bbneeds /ba bwake/bb–/bbup /bcall and maybe getting his bass /bhanded to him on the football field, will bmake him /bbthink /bbtwice /bbabout /bbdisrespecting /bbLa /bbagain/bb. /b

Chapter 33: AJ POV

During the scuffle, Hunter stepped up behind Cade. cing a hand on Cade’s shoulder, it seems he intends to pull Cade away from Xavier, but he writes me with his next words.

b“/bWe’ve been friends forever, but make no mistake, if you ever word vomit about La like that again, I’m done with you. If you don’t want anything to do with her, then fine. We’ll respect your wishes and not rub our rtionship with her in your face. But from now on, as a somewhat decent human being, you, will show her respect when she is in your proximity. If you don’t want to listen when we talk about her, you will shut your trap and walk away, Clear?bi” /i/b

Before Xavier can answer, I saunter over to Cade’s other side. “And even though we haven’t known each other long, I will have no queims bin /bganning for your position as QB on the football team. Just because I decide not to y does not mean I can’t. Remember that the next time you want to act like a fuckwit when ites to La.”

With a final shove of his arm against Xavier’s chest, Cade steps away from him, and without us even giving him a chance to speak, we turn and leave the kitchen – united in our devotion to La.

Knowing Xavier, this won’t be ourst altercation, but he now knows what will happen when he crosses the proverbial line.

As we get to the top of the stairs (Xavier can clean up the kitchen as his punishment), Hunter turns to me with a victorious smile.

“Nice to have you on board, brother.”

My answering smile is automatic and natural because there is no better feeling than knowing La will soon be mine. Or, to be more specific, ours.

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