Page 138 of Make Us Yours
She laughs elegantly. I don’t know how she does it, but everything Aubrey does is done gracefully. I swear she must have been a princess in another life. “It’s hardly a manor, but it’s been… fine.”
I scrunch my nose and let go of her. “Oh no, don’t tell me they’re going at it like horny hippos?”
“Horny hippos? Really?”
Gabe joins our side and kisses Aubrey’s head then throws his arm around my shoulder as she flushes. “Oh yeah, you should see how they woo their female companion. It’s pretty disturbing yet impressive.”
“I’m so confused right now…” She stares with wide eyes.
“Don’t ask, we watched a very strange documentary about animal reproduction last night.” I giggle.
“It’s given me a whole bunch of new ideas to get in your pants.” He nibbles atmy earlobe, flicking my four piercings with his tongue.
I slap his chest with the back of my hand. “Don’t even think about throwing your shit around to get to me. I can assure you, that will not work in your favor,” I warn him as he laughs.
“Well, for your information, yes, they are. I really have no idea how Gracie sleeps through all of that. I really didn’t miss hearing my brother… doing that. I think it makes it even worse that it’s with one of my best friends.” She blushes once more talking about it.
“Do you think you’re going to turn red like a tomato every time you have sex, baby Ford?” Gabe asks, chuckling behind his fist.
I smack him again. “Shut up. Leave her alone.”
She looks behind us, peering at the car. “Noah’s not coming?”
A tightness forms in my chest at her question. “No…”
She offers me a sympathetic smile and rubs my arm.
A voice across the street catches our attention, and we all turn to watch Shane stepping out of Jessie’s house as he waves goodbye. He takes the few steps down, watching his feet, but then looks up and stops in his tracks when he spots us and stares straight at Aubrey.
I turn my head to her, finding her blushing with her lips slightly parted. I elbow her and whisper through my smile, “Say hi.”
She jumps into action, throwing her hand up high. “H-hi, Shane!” she shouts a little too loudly. She quickly pulls her arm back down and rests her hand along the base of her neck as her cheeks burn brightly. “Oh God… that was embarrassing.”
I turn in Gabe’s arms, hiding my face in his chest as I try not to laugh, but it’s impossible. I feel Gabe’s chest rumbling as he tries to suppress his own laughter. When I peek a glance toward Shane, I find him smiling brightly at her, he slowly raises his hand and waves back.
Aubrey quickly grabs my elbow and pulls me away from Gabe. “Okay, I said hi, now let’s go inside before I do something stupid again.” She drags us along toward the front door as Gabe and I wave to Shane as well.
We step into the house and find Clay, Morgan, Cecilia, and Silas sitting around in the living room. Cecilia notices us first, climbing off Silas’s lap. “Yay! You finally made it.” She claps her hands together and comes in to hug us all.
I giggle. “You thought we wouldn’t come?”
“No, of course, I knew you would. But I feel like we haven’t been all together under good conditions in a while.” She smiles tenderly.
“Yeah, you’re right. These past two or so weeks have been pretty brutal for all ofus, I think.” I sigh.
Morgan joins her side, coming in for a hug as well. “They have. How are you holding up?” She leans back and cups my face like a mother would, and it instantly makes me long for my own.
“I’m… still okay, I guess. Gabe has been wonderful for my spirit.” I smile at him.
“I knew he would be a good boyfriend someday.” Morgan beams with joy.
Once she steps back, Gabe takes a good look at her as his eyes widen. “Oh wow, look at you! Your little bump is starting to show already!”
“I know! The doctor says it’s normal since there are two of them, even though I’m only fourteen weeks along.” She lights up at the mention of her babies, and we all can’t help but smile along with her.
“Hey, where’s Adler?” Silas calls as we finally sit down on the couch, Gabe taking the end seat with Aubrey beside him, while I sit sideways on his lap.
That tightness I felt earlier in my chest now moves to my throat. I shake my head. “I don’t know.”
