“Because you deserved it,” Mom snaps back.
I let out a chuckle because I know where this argument is heading. Turning my attention back to Uncle Rhett, I hold out my hand. “So, you’re okay with us dating?”
He shakes my hand and then pulls me in for a hug, whispering, “I’m more than okay with it, Hunter. I know how hard you fought for Jade.”
I wrap my arms around him, hugging him back. “Thanks, Uncle Rhett.”
JADE
When Aunty Kingsley sits down next to me, Mom and Mamma G leave me to fend for myself as they escape to the kitchen. My eyes dart to the sliding door leading out to the veranda where Hunter is grilling steaks with our fathers.
Suck it up, Jade.
I give Aunty Kingsley a nervous smile, and ask, “Are you really okay with us dating?”
“Before I answer that question, I have something to say,” she begins.
I meet her eyes, staring into the same blue irises as Hunter’s, and prepare myself as best I can for whatever’s coming.
“You went through something awful, Jade, and Hunter was there for you. I just want to make sure you really love my son, and that you’re not just grateful for what he’s done.”
I shake my head and have to take a deep breath when I’m overcome with emotion.
Who knew it would be so intense talking to Hunter’s mom.
I clear my throat and shake my head again. “I love him, Aunty Kingsley. So, so much.” My eyes lower to my lap for a moment before I meet hers again. “I wouldn’t have survived it without him. I admit that. But what I feel for him… it’s because he’s the most amazing man I know. He’s my sun, and without him, my life would be a frozen wasteland.” I take a moment to gather my thoughts, not wanting to screw this up. “I… I just love him so much.”
Aunty Kingsley stares at me for a long moment, then she whispers. “Please don’t hurt him again.”
A lump swells in my throat, and I swallow hard on it as my tears blur. “Never again. I promise I’ll do everything in my power to make Hunter happy.”
“Just love my baby,” she says, her voice straining with unshed tears.
“I will. I’ll love Hunter with all of my heart,” I promise.
Aunty Kingsley reaches over, and I quickly hug her back. We hold onto each other for a while, then she whispers, “I’m so happy you’re dating Hunter.”
“Is everything okay in here?” Hunter suddenly asks.
Aunty Kingsley and I pull apart, and she nods at him, giving him a loving smile. “Everything’s fine.”
His eyes dart between us, and then he frowns. “Why do I see tears?”
“Just because,” I mumble as I wipe my cheeks dry. “I’m allowed to get emotional when I speak to your mom.”
Walking over to me, Hunter leans over and presses a kiss to my mouth, then he moves over to Aunty Kingsley, and he presses a kiss to her forehead. “My two favorite women. I’m such a lucky man.”
And that’s all it takes for Aunty Kingsley and me to start crying again.
HUNTER
Sitting outside by the fire, I smile as my eyes scan over my family. When my gaze drifts over Uncle Rhett, Aunty Evie, and Miss Sebastian, the smile only grows bigger.
And then there's the moment old friends become a part of that family.
Fuck, I’m such a lucky bastard.
I tighten my grip on Jade’s hand and glancing at her, I wink. Seeing her glass is empty, I ask, “Can I get you more coke?”
She shakes her head and leans her cheek against my shoulder. “I’m so happy.”
“Me too, babe.”
Miss Sebastian gets up and pulls a wrapped package from her purse. “I got you a congrats-on-finally-getting-your-bedazzled-asses-together gift,” she says as she hands me the box.
“You shouldn’t have,” Jade says as she sits up again. Her eyes dart to mine, “Open it already.”
“So damn bossy,” I mumble as I tear at the paper.
Dad chuckles.
When the wrapping comes off, I freeze. A second later, I crack up with laughter while staring at the box of Trojan condoms.
“I got you the pleasure pack,” Miss Sebastian says, wagging her manicured eyebrows at me.
I can’t stop laughing, and when Jade reads the front of the box, she gasps, “Oh. My. God. Nooooooo!” Grabbing the condoms from me, she quickly sits on it.
“Pleasure pack?” Uncle Rhett asks Miss Sebastian.
“Rather safe than sorry,” she shrugs. “Do you want little Hunter’s and Jade’s running around here?”
“What the fuck?” Uncle Rhett complains, shaking his head, then he barks, “You gave them condoms?”
Dad can’t hold his laughter any longer, and he cracks up.
I try to reach under Jade to pull the box out, but she slaps at my hand, and hisses, “Don’t, Hunter.” Her face is on fire as she hides her reaction behind a hand from her dad.
“It’s okay,” I chuckle, and reaching for her hand, I pull it away from her face. “Let me have the box. I want to make sure Miss Sebastian got the right size.”
“Oh, don’t you worry, my little chunk of hunk,” Miss Sebastian says, winking at me. “I got extra large.”
“Oh, god. Kill me now,” Jade groans.
Through a fit of laughter, I manage to pull Jade into my arms so she can hide her face in my chest.
“Time for apple pie,” Aunty Evie says as she gets up, and it effectively changes the topic of discussion to who’s getting the bigger slice.
When our parents and Miss Sebastian head into the house to fight about the pie, Jade quickly yanks the box from under her butt. “Let’s go put it in the car before I die from embarrassment.”
We link our hands as we walk around the side of the house, and reaching the car, I quickly unlock the passenger door. Jade tries to shove the box under the seat, but when it’s too big to fit, she leaves it lying on the floor.
I lock the door again and shove the keys in my pocket. Before Jade can walk back, I grab hold of her arms and pull her to me as I lean against the car.
“I think that went okay,” I say as I stare into her eyes.
A smile splits over her face, and she nods. “More than okay.”
“Yeah.” My eyes drop to her mouth and press a quick kiss to it. “I’m just glad your dad’s okay with us dating.”
“Me too.” Rising up on her toes, she presses a kiss to my lips. When she pulls back, her gaze is filled with emotion. “I love you, Hunter.”
I bring a hand up to her face and brush my fingers over her cheek. “You have no idea how much I love you.”
Jade shakes her head lightly. “I do know, Hunter. Trust me, I know.” Her lips touch mine, then she whispers, “You went to war for me, and you won.” Her eyes caress my face. “You’ve given me new dreams. A future filled with hugs, love, and seeing your smile. You gave me back my life.”
Framing her face, I crush my mouth to Jade’s, and I kiss her with everything I feel. When I pull back, my voice is filled with emotion as I say, “A future with you. God, I’m so fucking lucky.”