Page 110 of Chasing Home
“I wouldn’t need to use Daisy to poke at you, Ice, and you know it. The sooner you admit to yourself that you want that girl, the easier it’ll be for all of us. I can only take watching you pine over her for so long.”
Something passes over Bryce’s face then. Longing, I think. It’s so intense I nearly flinch.
She recovers quickly, steeling her expression in a way I’m familiar with. “We need to leave before we’re the last to arrive and everyone stares at us when we walk in.”
Poppy plants a big fat kiss on her cheek, whether because she just felt like it or as an apology, before standing and offering me a hand up. I touch Bryce’s arm as we leave my bedroom, and she dips her chin at me in answer, a silent agreement coming to life between us.
One that promises we’re in this together and that I’m here for her the same way she’s here for me. I’ve never been happier to promise someone something before.
The Mitchells’ soft-blue-painted bungalow is adorable. The lawn is well-kept, with flowers in the beds beneath the windows and a stone walkway leading up to the front door with handprints sunken into every second stone. With the fence gate open, it’s easy to see into the massive backyard and the crowds of people already there.
I shut Poppy’s car door and step onto the curb. Bryce meets me first, and then Poppy joins us before we head up the stone path to the gate.
“What are his moms’ names again?” I ask, starting to panic.
“Jennifer and Rachel. And his sisters are Giana, Josette, and Daisy. I don’t think you’ll meet Giana today. She hardly comes home anymore,” Poppy says, rubbing my back.
“Right,” I whisper.
Poppy pulls the gate the rest of the way open for us to slip through. “They’re going to love you. This family is one of the best ones I know.”
“There’s my girl,” Johnny drawls, striding toward us.
I hear Bryce snort beside me as I check him out in his Wrangler jeans, boots, and that deep brown cowboy hat. I’ve been trying to scoop it off his head and plant it on mine for the past week, but it’s always the first thing he tosses off when he gets me in the bedroom. Maybe I can change that tonight.
His arms loop around my back as he tugs me into his chest and flicks his hat up before kissing me in front of everyone. My heart pounds at his proximity, and I kiss him back, throwing all my caution to the wind.
I’ve missed him, and I just saw him this morning. The ease with which I can admit that to myself goes to show how different I am from the person I was when I arrived in Cherry Peak. I think I like who I am now much more than I did then.
“Alright, Johnny. Save it for later. I’m literally right here,” Bryce mutters.
He licks at my lips, and I let him in, letting him taste the shot of tequila I took before heading over here. Chuckling low in his throat, he pulls away and blows a kiss at Bryce.
“Stop turning down every single person who tries to take you out, Bryce, and you wouldn’t have to be the only single one.”
“You make a good point, but let’s not forget about my brother,” Poppy says.
“Darren’s single because no woman can bear to be near him for longer than ten minutes at a time with his terrible romance skills,” Bryce corrects her.
Johnny drapes his arm over my shoulders and tucks me into his side with a kiss to my temple. “You could always give him a shot. You wanna be a stepmommy, Brycie?”
Bryce’s features twist into a look of pure disgust as she says, “Don’t ever say that again. I’m perfectly fine with being an honorary aunt but never a stepmommy.”
Poppy laughs beside us as we move along the side of the house toward the group of people blatantly staring at us. One face in the crowd has me a bit more alert. Wanda offers me a small smile before taking a swig of a beer.
“I’ve long since accepted that Bryce will never be my sister-in-law. We all know she’d eat Darren alive. I’ve made my peace with that,” Poppy says.
“You make it sound like I’ve done you some great disservice by not being attracted to that ass.”
“I love my brother, but he’s not good enough for you, anyway. Besides, I always pictured you marrying a woman.”
“I see that too,” I add.
“Because I’m such a girl’s girl?” Bryce asks with a laugh.
“Nah. It’s just a vibe I get. You’d look beautiful beside a woman. Maybe one with red hair.” Poppy pats her cheek and then swings out of the way as Bryce tries to swat at her. She laughs and starts to back away from us. “I’m going to find Garrison. I’m sure he’s sitting alone sulking in a corner right now without me.”
“Yeah, you run, Pops. Go hide behind your boyfriend before I kick you in the ass,” Bryce threatens.