Fearless (Broken Love, #5)(65)

“Again,” I repeated. I couldn’t explain it, but I knew without her, I’d be either in prison or dead by now.

“Well, in that case, you’re welcome… again.” I smiled because no matter what, she would always be a handful. “Come on. I’m sure Dash is just as anxious to see you. I told him we were coming.”

We walked hand in hand as she led me to his room. When we reached his room, I saw Keenan in the corner whispering—likely something dirty—in Sheldon’s ear while she giggle and fingered his shirt. Ken sat in one of the chairs, clutching a tablet.

“Did the Ninjas save the day again?”

Her head popped up at the sound of my voice. Keenan and Sheldon also ceased their make out session. “Uncle Keke!” She tossed the tablet in the seat next to her and wiggled her way down to run over to me. I was ready for her and scooped her up. Lake casually disappeared inside Dash’s room. “Daddy said you were playing hide and seek. Did you win?”

I looked over her head and raised an eyebrow at my brother. He shrugged as he walked over with his arm around Sheldon. “It’s nice to see you walk among the free again.” His tone was light, but his searching gaze was heavy with uncertainty given the last time we spoke.

“I’m okay,” I offered and set Ken down. He didn’t look surprised that I read his mind. He nodded and let go of Sheldon to embrace me. Sheldon took her turn next, and when I let her go, the door to Dash’s room opened and Willow came out. She froze when she saw me but then rushed forward and threw her arms around me.

“I thought we lost you again,” she whispered.

“Me too.”

“So you’re not going to turn into crazy, evil douche again, right? Because I’ll put you down. I’ll do it.” I burst out laughing—not because I thought she was joking but because she looked completely serious.

“I promise if I do, you have first dibs.”

She offered a satisfied nod. “Dash is awake, but Lake is in there right now.”

It was my turn to nod and say, “I’ll wait.” A few minutes later, Lake emerged deep in thought. I watched her, willing her to look up, but she didn’t. She simply walked into a nearby restroom and shut the door. I sat there for another moment debating whether to go after her, but then Willow placed a hand on my shoulder.

“I’ll talk to her and see what’s up.” I hesitated because I knew Willow would talk to her, girls had a code just like we did. Most rarely kept to it, but girls like Lake, Willow, and Sheldon did.

Whatever it is… I’d get it out of her later.

I let Willow go after her and made my way into Dash’s room. He was sitting up and fiddling with his phone.

“Were you waiting for an invitation?” he smirked and lowered his phone.

“I had to stave off the welcoming party.”

“The girls can get pretty emotional,” he agreed. “Keenan included.” He laughed but then leaned his head back with a frown as he rubbed his chest.

“Hurts like a bitch, doesn’t it?”

“I still can’t believe Keenan took six of these.” He truly looked bewildered as he breathed deeply in and out, probably willing the pain to pass. “You know… women say nothing beats childbirth on the pain scale, but I can’t see how anything could be worse than getting shot.”

“Don’t let Willow or your sister hear you say that.”

“Shit. You’re right. Her emotional state these days is… delicate. Borderline psychotic. I sleep with one eye open and one hand over my dick because I have no idea what to expect from one day to the next. Wait until you have your first.”

“That’s not going to happen.” I took a seat to disguise the fact that my legs had turned to jelly from his remark.

“Still afraid to have kids?”

I didn’t know what I felt so I chose not to answer. “Do you think it will be a deal breaker for Lake?” I asked instead.

“I think she loves and wants you. Anything else is a bonus.”

“I’ll remember you said that when I ask her to marry me, and she says no.”

He sat up too quickly and groaned in pain as he slowly fell back.

“You’re asking her to marry you?”

“I need a ring first and to figure out how to ask her—”

“I’ll call my family’s jeweler and you only need to say, ‘Lake Monroe, will you marry me?’”

“If it’s that simple, why haven’t you asked Willow yet?”

He smirked and nodded toward his jacket. “Get my bag.” I walked over and grabbed his bag and looked back at him. “The inside pocket,” he answered. I reached and pulled out a small velvet box.

“Are you serious?” I didn’t need to open to know what it was. I opened it anyway and was impressed by the large diamond and two smaller purple stones that flanked it. On the inside of the platinum band read, ‘Summer Will Never End.’

“I was going to ask her later that night but that bastard shot me.”

“Congrats, man.”

“I haven’t asked her yet.”

“There’s only one answer, and I’m pretty sure you know that as well or you wouldn’t have gotten the ring.” I put the ring back in his bag and sat in the chair next to his bed so I could gather my thoughts. It seemed like yesterday we were seventeen and eighteen and plotting to ruin one girl’s life until she crumbled into nothing, and then fast forward six years, we are talking about marriage.