In the Crease
Page 30

 Toni Aleo

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For her.
“Yeah.”
“So you’re going to call everyone.”
“Yeah.”
“And I get to watch?”
“Yeah. I need your support and Tricksie’s,” he said as the pup licked his chin, snuggling in his lap. “I’m sort of freaking out.”
“Okay, let me pop some popcorn and get a beer first.” Vaughn was up before Jensen could stop him.
“Dude, I’m freaking out.”
“Okay, well, I can get popcorn and deal with that. What’s up? Talk to me.”
Jensen leaned back in the couch as he cuddled with Tricksie. “What if everyone hates me?”
“Then you’re fucked.”
“Vaughn!”
“What? Is she worth it?”
“Yes,” he said without reluctance. “But what if she tries to end it?”
“Oh, you know she will.”
“How do I stop that?”
“Who knows? You’re the one doing this. Not me.”
Setting his best friend with a look, Jensen shook his head. “You are absolutely no help at all.”
“I know. It’s a personality flaw.”
“You have a lot of those.”
“I do,” he agreed, leaning on the bar in his kitchen. “But I think if she sees how to be loved right, she might not try to end it. You’re charming. Charm her pants off.”
Charm her pants off. Wow, okay. While, yes, he did very much want to get her naked and in his arms, it was more than that. He wanted her heart. He wanted it all. Closing his eyes, he could feel his lips still buzzing, and he could still taste her. Lord. Her kisses were better than he thought they’d be. He’d always known they had chemistry, he just did, but when their lips touched, it was like a cannon going off inside of him. It felt right. Perfect. She was a perfect hot mess he couldn’t help but want.
The list… Man, he was still laughing about it. It was so in his favor, but she had still stalled. He got it. She was scared, so was he, but that was okay. They’d be okay. Together. He knew it. He knew it deep down. He just hoped she did too.
Letting his head fall back, he smiled as he looked around the bare house. Brie hadn’t had time to do anything with it, but she had apparently hired Lucy Paxton to come in and do the design. Which it needed. Even empty, the little ranch style house was gorgeous. It was obvious Brie had picked it because Vaughn would have picked some big ole mansion that neither of them needed. But this house was perfect for them. Big back patio with a huge yard, and the best thing about it was their backyard butted up against the back fence of NateWay2. Though, word was, Marl, the grounds keeper of NateWay, wouldn’t let Vaughn put an entrance in back there. Said he didn’t trust it. He was kind of crazy, but they all loved him dearly. Jensen thought it was funny that Marl had said no to Vaughn, the owner of the whole damn place.
When Jensen’s phone sounded with a text, he reached for it and saw it was the girl who starred in all his thoughts.
Wren: Smooth.
Jensen: ??
Wren: I just got done with my client, and this is the first time I could text you, but I saw your message. First and last kiss, huh? You have some closet game, I see.
He laughed as he shook his head.
Jensen: Maybe I’ve always had game, just had to wait for the moment I could use it on you.
Wren: You’ve had plenty of moments.
Jensen: Maybe, but now I’ve got the next six months to give you all of it.
Wren: I’m not sure if I should be scared or excited.
Jensen: Both.
Wren: Intriguing, Mr. Monroe.
Jensen: I thought so, soon-to-be Mrs. Monroe.
Wren: …
Wren: You sure?
Jensen: I am.
Wren: I’m a hot fucking mess.
Jensen: And you’ll be my hot mess.
Wren: Confession.
Jensen: Yeah?
Wren: That is probably the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me.
Jensen: And to think, I’m just getting started.
Wren: Crap, well, then I have another confession.
His heart stopped.
Jensen: You’re on a roll, so let me have it.
Wren: I’ve always associated love and all that crap with pain. So you’ll need to be patient.
Jensen: You won’t anymore, and don’t worry, love is patient.
Wren: Okay, I’m not touching that. So, dinner tonight? Tacos?
Jensen: Send me the address.
Wren: Okay.
Jensen: Have a good rest of your day.
Wren: Thanks. You too.
Jensen: I’m about to call your parents and brother.
Wren: Oh, thanks for letting me know. I’ll make sure to block their numbers for the rest of the night.
Laughing, he set his phone down as Vaughn sat back down across from him. “Okay, I’m ready.”
“We’re flirting.”
Vaughn’s brows went to his hairline. “Shit, I thought you weren’t gay.”
Rolling his eyes, Jensen sighed. “Not us, dork. Wren and me. We’re flirting.”
“Oh, good. I mean, you’re marrying her.”
“I know, but it’s nice. Hot.”
“And I just puked in my mouth.”
Laughing, Jensen shook his head. “I’m excited.”
Vaughn shot him a grin. “Good, you deserve that.”
They shared a long look before Jensen glanced away, nodding his head before he went to Wells’s number. “Wells first.”
“Good choice.”
But he didn’t hit the number. He was freaking out. Looking back up, he asked, “Where is Brie?”
Vaughn gave him an exasperated look. “Shopping with Lucy. Call him.”
Jensen paused. “What if he hates me?”
“Well, you should have thought about that before you basically did Wren against the wall to get her to say yes.”
“I didn’t do her against the wall.”
“I’m sure you didn’t just peck her lips. You’ve wanted to kiss that girl your whole life, ever since that poor excuse for a kiss when we were younger.”
“It wasn’t that bad!”
Laughing hard, Vaughn sputtered, “Her friends called you turtle tongue for, like, months.”
“Why didn’t I know this?”
Vaughn’s laughter subsided as he shook his head. “It doesn’t matter now. Call Wells.”