Gifted Connections: Book 2(60)

“What’s going on?” Jace asked.

“Rose and Drake are…talking,” I informed them.

Collin immediately looked uncomfortable and pale.

“Can she be any quieter? It’s too early for this,” Jemmy grumbled as Gavin wrapped his arms around her waist.

“It’s 8 o’clock,” I gently teased her.

“That’s early,” Jaxson grumbled as he stretched and yawn. I swear the boy hated shirts. His flannel pajama bottoms were riding low on his hips and his muscles rippled as he stretched. My mouth watered as I looked at him.

He stopped yawning and looked at me with a wink. I blushed, wondering how he knew I was lusting after him.

Jace slid up behind me and put his arms around my waist. “Since you made your last connection, your barriers have been down more often. We can feel your…arousal,” he gently growled.

I gulped. “Can I…fix that?”

He chuckled huskily. “I’ll help you work on it. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about,” he squeezed my shoulder. “Imagine a young teenage empath boy going through puberty.”

I turned and looked at him, my eyes wide. I couldn’t help the giggle that escaped my lips. I could only imagine him at 13, 14, 15 years old, having a crush or admiring a girl and projecting his feelings with his gift. That had to be embarrassing a time or two.

“Exactly,” he said with self-deprecating humor.

“Remember when he had that crush on Liz Rollins?” Troy started chuckling as he looked at Remy.

Remy shoulders shook with repressed laughter. “His thoughts definitely weren’t PG where she was concerned.”





Jace gave them an annoyed but joking look. “I was fourteen,” he explained in exasperation.

“She wouldn’t go near him or talk to him for months,” Troy nearly had tears rolling down his face.

Another scream from the den, silenced us all. Rachel grabbed Jemmy’s hand and they ran down the steps. Then they crept down the hallway. They placed their heads against the door, trying to eavesdrop.

It didn’t surprise me that they had clicked instantly again. I was still trying to find my niche with them again. I wasn’t uncomfortable around them. I just didn’t feel as close to them as I once had. I knew we would get there, I just hoped it was sooner than later.

They were only standing there for a few moments before both of their mouths dropped open and their eyes bugged out.

“Holy crap, she’s pregnant,” Jemmy blurted out.

Two things happened simultaneously. Collin cursed as he slapped his hands over his eyes, and Jemmy and Rachel screamed as they fell to the floor; the door that they had been leaning against was yanked open, causing them to tumble forward.

“Grow up, Jemmy,” I heard Rose screech as she took a step into the hall. “This is a private conversation. You all need to—" She stopped midsentence, her face flushed white. “Collin,” she said quietly. “What are you doing here?”

“Whose baby is it?” he asked with deadly quietness.

“It’s—” Drake came out of the room behind her. His eyes widened as he looked between Collin and Rose.

“I think all of you need to go talk,” I stated. “Maybe where the kids can’t hear you.”

“The music room is sound proof,” Jace suggested to them, his eyes narrowed on Collin and Rose.



Drake, Collin, and Rose still hadn’t emerged from the music room when we had finished eating, showering, and getting the kids ready. Micah, Alex, Chip, Jace, Jaxson, Gavin, and Noah left in the Land Rover, while Rachel, Jemmy, Ella, and I took the other Tahoe.

Jemmy was beyond excited at the idea of shopping, since Remy and Will had given us the credit cards with no limitations. She had every intention of buying herself some new clothes and shoes as well. Will had even insisted that I get some additional items.

I didn’t think I would be getting much. Maybe a new pair of sneakers since I abhorred my pink pair. Ella, like always, was beyond excited to go shopping. Sometimes I wondered if we were even related.

The boys told us to meet them at the food court at 1 pm so we can eat lunch and see if we had any other errands to run.

“Can we call Nadia over today?” Ella asked from the back seat.

“Maybe,” I told her noncommittedly. “It’s a school night,” I explained to her. “Her parents might not like her to go out on a school night.”

“But I’m outnumbered,” Ella said sullenly.

“Have they been picking on you?” Rachel asked teasingly.

“No, but,” Ella stuttered. “They fart and are smelly.” She reasoned as only a 7-year-old could.

Jemmy giggled, “That would never change.”

“You fart,” I said with a teasing grin.

“Ugh!” Ella groaned in frustration.

Rachel reached over and squeezed her hand. “They’re family. I know what it’s like to be the only girl, but one day when or if they’re gone, you’re going to miss them.”

I could hear the pain in her voice as she looked at Ella pointedly.

“How would you know?” Ella scoffed.

“Well,” Rachel said hesitantly. “I lost my brothers, and as annoying and smelly as they were, I miss them every day.”