Surrendering (11 page)

I know it’s Abbi so I don’t bother to ask. I think she’ll tell me if she wants me to know and I don’t want to get in the middle. I’ve been watching the guys hook-up with girls for years and I’ve been in the middle of some shitty situations. As soon as one of them brings a girl around me, she decides she wants to be best-friends because it’ll help the relationship. I have more ‘fake’ friends than I do real ones. Once the boys get tired of them, they cling to me thinking I can change their minds. But with Abbi, I’ll kick Jimi’s ass if he screws her over.

I lean back in my seat while we head north and think back on the last few days. I have several messages and texts from Declan. He’s been so sweet.

How are you feeling?

Have you eaten yet?

When are you coming home?

Can I come see you?

Missed you at the show, had plans to show you off.

Call me when you feel like it.

And then there’s the last one.

I miss you. Can’t wait to see you.

The first night I woke up after passing out, I read his first message over and over… “
Let me take care of you. Let me take care of you. Let me take care of you…”
Each time I read it my heart fluttered. I had answered all of his text messages except that one. It was so intimate and raw. I wasn’t sure how much he meant it, but I knew he was upset I hadn’t told him how bad I felt that morning. I know he found out about me from the girls, but I wasn’t sure how much he told them about us. My plan was to lay low until we could talk.

As we drive up to the house, I see Finn’s truck. Jimi, Tripp, and Finn are waiting on Robbie. I jump out and hug each of them, then head inside. As soon as I walk in, I’m engulfed in two sets of arms holding me tight.

“We’re so glad you’re here!” Both of them screech at the same time. I hug them back and laugh out loud.

“Jesus, it was just two days. I’m fine. No need for drama.”

“Raven, we know you’re fine, but I was terrified when I found you passed out on your bathroom floor. I had no idea what was wrong and all kinds of terrible things went through my mind. You do realize I’m a nursing student, right? I’m thankful it was only a migraine.”

“Ella, I’m sorry I worried you. And believe me, it wasn’t just a migraine. It was the worst one I’ve ever had.”

As I let them both go and step back, I instantly feel him in the room. I look over their shoulders and he’s standing there with his arms crossed over his chest with a small grin on his face. He looks me up and down with heat in his eyes. Both girls part and I have a direct path to him. I run to him and throw my arms around his shoulders. He braces and picks me up without hesitation. My legs wrap around his hips and his mouth is in my ear. I feel his ring gliding over my lobe and my body reacts.

“Don’t you ever send me away to play fucking football again when you’re sick. I mean it Rave; let me take care of you.”

I don’t even get a chance to respond before there’s a roar behind me.

“Who the fuck are you and why is your tongue in my sister’s ear?” Shit! Robbie. I forgot we had an audience. So much for being subtle. I try to dislodge myself, but Declan only lets me slide off of him before he tucks me underneath his shoulder.

I need to diffuse the situation quickly before things get ugly. “Um, Robbie, these are my roommates, Abbi and Ella. And this is Declan Collins, their brother.”

I feel Declan go tight at my side and I wonder if I said something wrong.

“RJ, I asked him a question.”

Declan slowly releases me and starts toward Robbie who becomes tight right away. He raises his hand in gesture and says, “To answer your question directly, I’m Declan and I was telling Raven how glad I was that she’s home.”

“With your tongue in her motherfucking ear?” I swear he’s spitting fire. “RJ! Your room now! Finn, you too.” He starts forward without acknowledging any of the Collins family. I reach for him and shove him into my room and everyone looks at us with weary expressions.

“Raven,” Declan growls.

“I’ll be right back.” I shut Finn and Robbie in my room and turn around with enough force to hit Robbie in the chest, sending him back against the wall. “You just embarrassed the hell out of me! How dare you?”

“Who is that motherfucker?”

“I think we established who he is; what do you want to know?”

“Why the fuck did he have his hands on your ass and his tongue in your ear? Are you fucking crazy?”

I take a minute to get myself together. I’m not sure how much I want to explain, but I know I’m on weak ground here. “We’re seeing each other. Nothing serious yet, but we are seeing each other.”

He turns his attention to Finn and roars, “What the fuck, Finn? I thought you were watching out for her? Who is this douchebag?”

I see Finn flinch, but only slightly. “Rob, I just found out myself, but I checked him out. He’s clean and I already know about the family. You need to calm down.”

I decide right there that I need to have a talk with Finn, but at a later time.

“How dare you?” I screech at both of them. “I like him. I’m not sure where this is going, but because of you, I bet nowhere.” I poke my hand in Robbie’s chest and push.

“I’m able to make my own decisions. You need to go out there and apologize, now!”

He looks at me for a brief second, “Finn, man, we need to talk. She needs to be safe and I don’t want her dating some street thug…”

I lose it. “Fucking street thug? You are incredulous. Declan is a college graduate with a band. He’s smart, caring, protective, and hot! You need to go back to Mom and Dad’s and keep your ass out of my business! He wants to take his time getting to know me, meaning my interests, my friends, my school, and everything. I should kick your ass for humiliating me! You need to leave. Call me when you get your shit together.” Then I point to Finn, “You and I are going to talk tomorrow! I’m going to calm down, but prepared for an ass-chewing like you’ve never had before!”

I turn to leave, but Robbie isn’t done. “RJ, I may have been an asshole, but you’re my little sister.”

“For fucks sake, Robbie! I’m still a virgin and you’re still riding my ass. I finally found a guy I like and you’re ruining it! Get your shit together, walk out there, and shake his hand.” Dammit, I just told my brother I’m a virgin. I’m such an idiot.

He flinches, but stares back at me. Minutes pass before he seems like he’s calmed down. Finn grabs his arm and starts out of my room. Finn looks at me with passion in his eyes, “I may have just found out about this, but I don’t like it. He seems like a good guy, but if he fucks you over, I’ll kill him myself. I’ll watch how this plays out, but you call me if you need me.”

I nod and tears pool in my eyes. “Robbie, Finn? I love you both, but please don’t worry about me.” They both look at me and smile.

We hit the kitchen and everyone is in a festive mood. Jimi, Tripp, Abbi, and Ella are doing tequila shots. They seem oblivious to the earlier drama. Declan’s sitting to the side with a beer and watching everyone around him. I walk to him and settle on his lap. He situates me so my head’s lying on his shoulder. I edge my way to his face and he looks at me. I press my lips against his, trying to display that I’ve missed him. He instantly moves his lips against mine and wraps his hand around my head. Someone clears their throat behind me and I look up. Robbie is inches away from us. I freeze again.

“I’m Robbie Hayes. My sister tells me you’re seeing each other.” He reaches out his hand to Declan.

It’s a declaration. Declan can either deny or retreat. But either way, the whole room has turned to watch us. I’m sure that Robbie has messed this up for me. I get nauseous again, but it has nothing to do with a migraine

“Baby, move off my lap,” Declan says into my ear. He just called me baby!

“Declan Collins.” He extends his hand to my brother and they shake. “You could say we’re seeing each other.”

“She’s a part of my heart. We’re a protective bunch. You need to know when you date her, you date all of us.” He motions around the room. “She’s special and I mean that in the most emphatic sense. I would say it’s nice to meet you, but you have to earn it.”

I almost die because all the boys have gathered next to Robbie. I try to step in, but Declan urges me behind him. “I’ve only known her a short time, but she has taken over my mind. I promise you, don’t worry.”

I sink into the chair and watch this play out in front of me. Then I look at Abbi and Ella and their stunned expressions. I feel like I need to break in.

“Um, guys, want a few beers before you leave?”

Tripp steps up, “No, Raven Haven, we’ll get out of your hair. I have plans for us tonight. Glad to see you’re feeling better.” He turns to leave and hits Jimi and Finn on the arm. My brother stares at me and then opens his arms. I leap up and go to him. He gives me a huge bear hug.

“RJ, be careful.”

I swallow my tears; he’s used to being the man in my life. “I will, now please, leave before you scare off my possible boyfriend.”

He leans over and whispers in my ear, “Possible boyfriend my ass, that boy just laid down for you. He thinks of you as his. And by the way, your roommates are hot!”

I swat his arm as I walk him to the door.

“TY, big brother. ILY.”

“ILY too.” He responds.

This is the way we communicated when he was away. I’m used to the abbreviated words that we used.

I walk back to the living room and see that it’s empty. I hear Declan in the kitchen.

“Girls, don’t panic. I’m serious about her. She’s amazing.”

I want to hear more, but decide I need to break up the tension. I walk in the room and feel the heat at once.

“Raven, come here.”

I walk to his side. He situates me in front of him. I need to talk.

“I’m sorry about my brother; he’s a little overprotective. He thinks everyone is out to get me, but he means well,” I say, pausing as I wait for someone else to talk.

Declan starts first, “Don’t apologize; I have these two to worry about. I’ve tried repeatedly to beat the shit out of their boyfriends.”

I look at both of them and notice they’re uncomfortable. I try to change the subject.

“Dec, how did you know I was coming home? I thought you were hanging with the band tonight?”

“Ella let me know you were coming home and I brought dinner. She may have mentioned you were starving.”

I turn around and put my arms around his neck. I lean into his ear and whisper, “You gave up band night to bring me dinner?”

He leaned forward, “Yeah, I have my priorities straight.”

There’s a noise from behind me and I realize- again– we are not alone.

Abbi says, “I’m going to meet Jimi and the guys for a few drinks. I’ll see y’all later.”

“Rave, your brother is hot! I think I’ll go with Abbi. See ya,” Ella adds.

They both exit the kitchen, but not before Declan says, “Be careful- both of you!”

“Be cool, Dec. We won’t be back for HHHOOOUUURRRSSS!”

He laughs softly and I turn to face him.

“Hey.”

“Hey back.”

He starts to nibble on my neck and I moan. In this position, I have full access to his neck and jawline so I nibble back. Soon enough, he’s looking at me with those eyes that make my heart race and my body heat up. I take a chance and slide my tongue over his lips. He immediately picks me up again and I lock around him. He carries me to my room and lies down on top of me. Without breaking our kiss, I start to move under him. I lift his shirt and he pulls away.

“I was told you were hungry, are you?”

My stomach rumbles loudly. “I guess so, but I’m enjoying myself right now.”

“Sparkle, we aren’t quitting; we’re just pausing. I plan on coming right back here.”

I sigh and allow him to lift me up. He leads me back to the kitchen where he serves me dinner.

“How and when did you do this?”

He grins slowly and looks directly at me, “When you texted Ella you were coming home, she let me know. I had everything ready to cook. I’ve been waiting for you.”

I swallow and look straight at him, “You did this for me?”

“Absolutely”

“Why?”

“Raven, I wasn’t kidding. I want to know you. You’re amazing in a way I can’t explain. This is all new to me, just let me know if it’s too much.”

I reach under the table to squeeze his leg, “It’s not too much at all. I missed you these last few days. Do you have plans later tonight?”

I see him swallow hesitantly and I instantly recoil. Of course he has plans; he is fucking DECLAN COLLINS!

“No, I don’t have plans tonight. I was going to stay here.”

My heart races with excitement and I blush. He’s planning on staying here.

“Did you tell the girls you were staying?”

“No, I wanted to talk to you first.”

“Why?”

He sighs, “Raven, I want to stay here with you and I don’t want my fucking sisters involved. Do you want me to stay?”

Gulp.

“I want you to stay with me.”

“Thank Christ! We just need to put away the left-overs. Ella and I have a deal; she’s cleaning our dishes tonight so we can get some sleep.”

The way he says sleep makes me melt all over. I help him put the food away and we head towards my room. “Can I bring in my stuff, or do you want me to change in the hall bathroom?”

“Of course you can bring it in.” I tug him close enough to murmur in his ear, “You can shower in here as well.”

He slowly looks me up and down before he speaks, “Are you one-hundred percent better?”

“Yes.”

“Do you want to watch TV before we go to bed?”

I swallow, I know what he’s asking, “No.”

“Are you ready for sleep?”

“No.”

“Good, then let’s get ready for bed. I have a story for you.”

After we got ready and changed our clothes, we get into bed. Declan tells me all about Saturday morning when he returned from football. He isn’t wearing a shirt again, but has athletic shorts on. They are silky against my bare legs and I’m having a hard time concentrating on his recap of the conversation with his sisters. Somewhere in the middle of the story he realizes I’m not paying attention. Instead, I’m rubbing my thighs against his.