Trusting Nicole (The Last Hangman MC #4)(70)

“What if he doesn’t want what you want?” Viv asks putting a downer on my mood until I think of it for a minute.

“I do want everything with him, but if he doesn’t want that then we compromise and work on things. He’s got to see it my way too, but I guess we’ll have to wait and see how things go. So far, he’s still too stubborn to come back.” I pout.

“He’ll come around. He’s probably with the others having a drink. You know how our men are when they start talking, they are worse than us.” Line says and we all burst out laughing.

“What’s so funny?” We hear Ant say from behind us, scaring all three of us.

“Daddy!” Cameron screams and runs towards his dad, jumping into his arms.

“My little slice of cake.” He chuckles and kisses his cheek. “I missed you buddy.” We all sigh happily and look at them fondly. Perfect husband material right there!

“Mama let me have cake!” Cam squeals happily.

“I can tell.” Ant squints his eyes at Ayd who looks at him innocently. They both grin at each other, the love emanates from the two of them. He walks towards her and bends down, kissing her softly, but the passion is unbearable. Viv and I both squirm in our seats.

“Can’t wait to have one of those.” Gabe smiles and ruffles Cameron’s hair. He walks over to Viv and sits next to her and kisses her as well. He surprised all of us with that statement. He’s never been very open about wanting kids, it’s the first time he’s announced it and we are all grinning wide.

“Really?” She looks up at him, hopeful.

“Really.” He beams and kisses her deeply.

“We should get going,” Ant tells Ayd.

“Why?” She pouts.

“Because these two need to talk.” He motions between me and Jase who must have walked in behind him

“Oh. But I want to watch!” She’s about to throw a tantrum just to annoy him.

“Don’t make me pull your pants down and spank you in front of everyone.”

“You’re no fun. And you missy,” she points at me “Tomorrow 8 am, I’m calling you and you better pick up or I’m here at 8:15 am without donuts or 8:30 with. Your call.” She narrows her eyes at me.

“I’ll make sure to have my phone on, but keep a box of donuts ready.” I grin at her.

“That’s my girl.” She hugs me and gathers her stuff. “Dibs on the cupcakes!” She squeals and packs them back into the box, making us all laugh.

“We should go too,” Gabe says, kissing Viv’s head before coming to me. “Be nice and patient with him.” he whispers and hugs me.

“Have fun!” Viv and Ayd squeal while walking away with the leftover cake and cupcakes. Gabe and Ant look at each other shaking their heads and pick up Cameron’s stuff and their women’s' bags since they didn’t bother picking anything up.

“They are something.” Jase says uncomfortably.

“That they are.” I sigh and sit down.

“Can we talk?” he asks sitting down next to me.

“That’s why you’re here.” I shrug.

“Don’t fake being uninterested in this talk.”

I can’t help but smile. “You’ve got me. I’m all ears.”

“I’m sorry about earlier. I didn’t mean to upset you and make you think I didn’t want to be with you. I’m still adjusting and I know it’s a lame excuse, but I really am. I never felt like I belonged anywhere besides with you. Those few times we got to spend together while you were away at college were amazing and I cherish those moments. Shit got real when you moved back here and I’d see you all the time. It wasn’t easy to stay away from you and I didn’t want to but I had no choice. I di-”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.” He looks slightly worried.

“Let’s say none of this happened. I mean the bad stuff. Jenny getting killed and all of that. What would have happened?”

“I would have ended things with her to be with you. I was never in love with Jenny. I just wanted to protect her and she was there to give me what I wanted, a family. Things didn’t go the way I planned because simply, there was no real love.” He sighs.

“I’m sure she always knew and just wanted to make things work.” I squeeze his hand.

“You’re probably right. I just hate what happened to her. I hate what happened to you.” He brushes his fingers over the fading but still evident bruise.

“I’m alright. I’m tough. I can handle it. Strangely enough, even though these past few days have been f*cked up, I’m glad I came back. I’m glad we got the chance to be together and open up about our feelings.”

“Or that your brother accepts and approves of me.” He chuckles.

“What?” I look at him, puzzled.

“We had a nice talk. He approves of me.”

I squeal, something I rarely do, and jump on him. “That’s f*cking amazing!” I squeeze him tight, unable to control my excitement.

“It really is.” We both sigh happily. “When I met you, I never wanted to fall in love with you. I knew you were trouble, but I can’t help it. I do. I love you. I don’t know how to live with you and I don’t even want to imagine living without you.” He says as he strokes my cheek and I nuzzle into it.