Page 84 of Let Me Love You
“Because I want her to be happy for me,” I mumble as Theo cuts the engine in front of my childhood home. “She’s my only parent, Theo. If I don’t have her support…” My voice trails off, and I let out another sigh. It doesn’t do shit to ease the weight in my chest.
This is scary.
Terrifying.
And I’m not used to being scared.
Well, most of the time.
I’m a grab-the-world-by-the-balls kind of girl. But disappointing your mom? I can’t be the only one terrified of doing it, can I?
“You’re mom loves me,” Theo quips. “She’s gonna be fine.”
“She’s gonna think I’m too young,” I argue.
“Which is why we’re waiting a couple years before tying the knot.”
“She’s gonna ask why we felt the need to get engaged so quickly.”
“And we’re gonna tell her it’s because I’m afraid you’re gonna be scooped up by someone else when you realize you’re out of my league.”
I smack his shoulder. “I’m being serious, Teddy.”
“So am I. But if she wants a real reason, then let's tell her I wanted to be sure if something happens to me, you get the house. The 401K. And everything else.”
My brows furrow. “You have a 401K?”
With a bark of laughter, he asks, “That’swhat surprises you?”
“Well, no offense, but you aren’t always known for being responsible or thinking of the future.”
“Which is why I proposed. To prove Iamthinking of the future. And you”—he grabs my throat and tugs me toward him—“are my future.” He lands a lip-smacking kiss against my temple, and I grin.
“Fine. You win,” I mutter. “Let’s do this.”
The front door’s locked. I’m not surprised. It’s almost 9pm, and my mom has no idea we’re coming. To be fair, I didn’t know we were coming either until Theo pulled onto my street and told me I couldn’t procrastinate over telling my mom about our engagement any longer. After all, we told his parents this morning and asked if they could keep it a secret for a few days. Theo and I know we’ll be lucky if Mama Taylor waits a solid twenty-four hours to spill the beans to the entire neighborhood.
Regardless, Theo promised me three orgasms tonight if I get it over with and rip the whole thing off like a Band-Aid.
The man found my weakness way too easily, and clearly, he isn’t afraid to use it against me. But seriously. Who’s gonna say no to three orgasms in one night? Not me.
My stomach is a jumble of knots as I tap my knuckles against the front door and wait. A few seconds later, the lock unlatches, and my oldest brother opens the door.
“What the hell?” I blurt, but it’s muffled by the massive chest pressed against my mouth as my oldest brother envelops me in a bear hug.
Garrett swings me around. “Hey, sis! Long time no see.”
When he finally lets me go, I ask, “What are you doing here?”
“Colt suggested I visit, and since I had the weekend off from residency, I figured why not? Come inside. Mom’s FaceTiming Knox.”
He retreats toward the couch, but Theo and I stay in the foyer, sandwiched between the family room and the front porch, both of us reeling from the turn of events.
“Did you know he’d be here?” I whisper.
Theo shakes his head. “I told Colt we were dropping by, but—”
The revving of an engine cuts him off. Theo looks over his shoulder out the still-open front door. I follow his gaze in time to witness Colt’s black truck turn onto our street.