Promise Me Always
Page 13
Closing my eyes, I let out a sigh. She’s right; she deserves some room to grow and experience life. I just hate that it’s with this Zander kid. Fucking punk touching my sister.
“Look, I’m sorry. You’re right. You are an adult. I just don’t want to see you get hurt, that’s all. I made a lot of mistakes when I was younger, and I don’t want to see you make the same ones. I know you aren’t me, and that’s not fair to you.”
“You’re right. It’s not fair. I’m not you, Tatum. I don’t mean that in a bad way, but you can’t put your mistakes on me. I get enough crap from Dad and Ollie; I don’t need it from you, too. I’d really like to be able to talk to you and not made to feel like poop.”
I pull her into a hug. “OK. I’m here. Judgment done. But I swear, Pen, if Zander hurts you, I will end him.”
She laughs and pulls away. “Thank you.”
“What’s going on with Jesse? Heard from him lately?”
“No,” she mumbles, not looking at me.
“Want to talk about it?”
“No,” she sighs. “I really miss him. I’m just not sure he really misses me.”
“Pen, you guys have always been inseparable. I’m sure he misses you just as much as you miss him,” I say, trying to make her feel better.
“I don’t know anymore. He pulled away and everything started to feel so distanced between us before he left.”
“Probably trying to protect you both from getting hurt. I know a thing or two about that.”
“I know you do.” She smiles at me. “Sucks though.”
“That it does. I’m sorry you’re hurting without your friend.”
“Yeah…”
“Want to come for dinner tonight? We’re ordering in Chinese and it’s movie night.”
“Popcorn?”
“Uh, yeah!”
“Thanks, Tate,” she says, leaning her head on my shoulder.
“Anytime.”
We leave the Royal King headquarters for the day, and Penny joins our crazy family for our movie night. It feels good to have her with us and be a part of it.
The kids drive me insane most days with their fighting and name calling, but I guess that’s to be expected when they’re eleven, eight, and five. It’s nice to have my baby sister here to help run interference.
Penny snuggles up with Ruby on her lap on the couch with Poppy and Harry beside them. Benton and I share the loveseat, our spot, and get cozy together. These are my favorite nights. We shoot to do a family night at least once a week, but it doesn’t always happen. Sometimes it’s games, other times it’s movies, and sometimes we get creative when we’re traveling. It’s important to me to keep our family close, even if we do drive each other nuts.
I tilt my head back to look up at my husband. He smirks down at me before putting a kiss on my lips. Soon I feel his hands start to roam under my shirt and gasp when he pinches my nipple. I instantly flush that’s he’s getting so handsy with the kids and my sister in the room.
This is what he promised me from the start. He promised me we’d always be like this. Never able to keep our hands to ourselves. He still tries to make me smile and laugh as much as he can. I’ve definitely softened throughout the years, but I’ll never be one who laughs freely and openly with anyone but him and our kids.
I love this man. He makes my heart soar and my soul leap with joy. If he can promise me always, I’ll gladly give him my smiles forever.
* * *
The End
(At least for this book…)
Special Thanks
My hubs: Baby, you are the inspiration for this book. Thank you for turning me into a Moto GP fan and for cuddling me on the couch while we both yell at the screen. Loves!
Stacy: I don’t even know where to begin… I give you so much shit but truth is, I literally could not do all this without you. Thank you for stepping in and wanting to help me. I will never be able to repay you for everything you do. I am so grateful for you as not only a PA but as a friend. I love you for life!
Jenn: You might have taken a small century to get this book back to me (