Page 99 of Double Dare
“Yep,” Hardin admits. “But he doesn’t even know yet. It was a pre-beating, I guess, because he accused me of doing something to Freya.”
“Wait until he finds out what,” Four laughs.
“Yeah. One of you fucks will need to sneak me whiskey into the hospital when he puts me there.”
“I know how to set up an IV drip, Hardin,” Genny says. We all look at her, wondering if she’s joking. There was no hint of a joke in her tone. When she blushes and flashes a smile, we all laugh because fuck, she’s just too amazing sometimes. Four pulls her in for a hug like he just can’t help himself.
Laken leans back, just loving everything. She’s one of those sit back and take it all in types, and I think that’s half the reason people go to her with their shit. She’s good at listening, and when someone requires a response or a reaction, she just knows what to do or say. I don’t have that skill. I just blurt the first thing that comes to mind, and usually, it’s not something very sensitive.
“You fucking knew, didn’t you?” Zahn squints his eyes at Laken. “You knew!”
Laken just smiles, not giving anything away.
“Fuck!” Bo barks out a laugh. “What’s your secret that gets you all the secrets?” Bo asks.
“She gives a shit and doesn’t judge,” Dom butts in. “Unlike you pricks who just like to be supportive while being assholes.”
He’s one of us assholes, so fuck him.
“It’s because she’s open, understanding, strong, and not in your face about it.” Dad raises a glass to Laken. “And she has the biggest heart.”
Freya leans into Laken’s side, giving her one of those weird side-hug things. “Thanks for being the one to calm me down and keep me sane, Lakes.”
Laken just nods, side-hugging Freya with a laugh. “Anytime.”
When Hardin gets up and wraps them both up in a three-way hug, he says, “Thanks for making sure my girl was okay, Lakes. And thanks for making me admit that I…” he trails off, looking panicked.
“You what?” Freya asks.
Hardin looks at Laken, who obviously knows exactly what he’s talking about because she’s fucking magic or some shit. She shrugs, encouraging him with a smile.
Oh. The love thing. Yeah.
“Shit,” Hardin mutters under his breath. “Fuck it.” He kneels down in front of Freya. “I…don’t hit me, okay? But…fuck, Freya, I love you. Okay? I just fucking love ya. Have for a long time. Not just ‘cause you’re knocked up, but for…a long time,” he repeats.
While this should probably be a private moment between the two of them, we all hold our breath, nosy as fuck. I know how it feels to say that now, so I’m really proud of him for telling her.
Freya’s barely hanging on to those tears glossing up her eyes. She’s staring at Hardin, almost shaking, face turning red. “Fuck,” she hisses.
“Oh, shit. I’m sorry.” Hardin grabs her hand. “I shouldn’t have…you don’t have to say it—”
“I love you too, you fucking asshole! You know how much I hate crying in front of people!” A scolding to go with her confession seems like the most Freya thing I’ve ever heard, so I let out a laugh as it finally hits Hardin.
“Oh, thank fuck.”
Mom’s snapping a hundred photos like she can document words in the air, and when I look at her, she still has a wetness to her eyes.
“Can’t call me baby anymore,” I tell her. “Finally.”
“You’ll always be my baby, baby. Can’t escape me that easily.” She winks and carries on with her photo documentation of this night.
“I guaran-fucking-tee you bitches I’ll be the last to shack down,” Zahn declares. “Hundred bucks!”
“Yeah, but you’ll probably be the next to have a baby,” Four says, throwing a bottle cap at him. “Hundred bucks.”
I might take that bet.
“Alright, enough of this bullshit.” Hardin pulls Freya to her feet. “Time to make sweet love.”