“You’re full of shit, but alright.” I take a deep breath. “Thanks for… you know.”
His mouth tips up. “Always. No one talks shit about you but me.”
I shove his shoulder. “Shut up.”
His arm wraps around me, and he pulls me to him. “Who knows where you’d be without me here to scare off all the losers you drag in.”
I laugh, letting my head fall back.
“You might be married with a half-a-dozen tiny losers by now.”
I swat him. “Fuck right off!”
“I’m serious! You really owe me one.”
My brows shoot up. “No, sir. You oweme.Who would you call if you didn’t have me to pretend to be your girlfriend and shoo away all the clingers?”
“Oh, I’ve been dealing with that since long before you came along, babe. I’d figure it out.”
I wrap my arms around his middle and breathe in his crisp woody scent. He barricades me into his chest with his arms around me and presses his mouth to the top of my head.
Someone starts counting down before everyone else joins in. Letting him go, I turn to look out at my chosen family.
JT stands with his arms slung around Katie with the biggest grin on his face before picking her up and wrapping her legs around his waist. Nik sits on Shane’s lap, staring down at him. Theo’s at the bar next to his parents and Colette with a smile painted on his face.
“3…”
This is where I belong.
“2…”
This is my home.
“1…”
I’m startled when Gabe pulls me to him with a big palm on the back of my head before crashing his lips into mine.
It’s soft, and he tastes like nicotine, and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.
He pulls back with a grin. “Happy New Year, Lil.”
I rest my head on his chest and hug him tightly. “Happy New Year, asshole.”
Chapter Five
The rest of the night consists of alcohol, dancing, laughing, and of course Katie and JT fighting.
Sitting at a high-top table, I try to mind my own business as Nik practically writhes on Shane’s lap.
You’d think after all the years they’ve been together, they’d be able to keep it in their pants until they get home, but nope. They insist on mauling each other in front of God and everyone.
Is his hand down her—holy shit!
I snap my eyes away to stare at the wall in front of me.
“Wanna go upstairs?” Gabe asks, leaning an elbow on my table and nodding toward the pair. “Or were you hoping to finish the show.”
“I’m good.” I chuckle, hopping off my stool. “Let’s go.”