Feels Like Love by Jenna Hartley

Chapter Twenty-Eight

“Mm. Morning,” I whispered in Wren’s ear, groaning when she pushed her ass back into me. I was already hard and aching for her again.

She reached between her legs and slid me between her thighs. I closed my eyes and slipped one hand beneath her shirt, the other down to finger her clit. She hissed, rocking into me. And I kept at it, whispering all the filthy things I wanted to do to her. All the reasons I loved her until she was trembling, falling apart in my arms.

She turned her head, kissing me over her shoulder. “Hi.”

“Hi.” I kissed her again, feeling her smile against my lips. “How long do we have until River tries to bust through the door?”

“Not long.” She grinned. “Better make it quick.”

She lifted her leg, guiding me to her entrance. The minute I was inside her, I closed my eyes. “Yes. Fuck yes,” I whispered into her hair.

I wrapped my arm around her hip, holding her tight. Loving her hard and fast. Quiet and deep. She linked her fingers with mine, and we found a rhythm, panting.

This was…everything. She was my everything.

And while sex with Wren had always been amazing, it was so much more now. Much more complete. I finally felt whole knowing that she belonged with me and no one else. Knowing that there were no secrets between us.

“Come on, baby,” I said, my pleasure building, nearing the point of no return. “I’m trying to hold out, but I need you to come. Come on my cock. Squeeze me.”

She spasmed around me, and I clenched my eyes shut. Oh fuck. Oh fuck. Oh… Her muscles pulsed around me, and I could tell she was trying not to cry out. I wished I could see her face, but if I closed my eyes, I could picture it exactly. That sent me over the edge, and I followed, jerking fast and hard until I exploded inside her with a grunt.

“So. So. Good,” she sighed.

We were still coming down from the high when the door handle twisted. So much for catching our breath. I quickly hopped out of bed and pulled on some athletic shorts.

“Mom!” River pulled on the handle, the door banging. “Why is the door locked?”

“Hey, baby.” I leaned over to kiss Wren. “You good?”

She glanced down at her silk pajamas and reached around until she’d found the bottoms. She wriggled into them beneath the covers and smiled. “Yep.”

“Mooom.” His tone was more insistent.

“Coming, Riv. Just a sec,” I said as I unlocked the door and opened it.

River’s hair was sticking up all over the place, and he smiled when he saw me. “Hi, Butter Butter!”

“Morning, Butter Bean.” I ruffled his hair. “Want to make pancakes?”

“Heck yeah!” He ran down the hall toward the kitchen.

I took one look at Wren in the bed and smiled. “Take your time.”

Instead of pancakes, River and I decided to make a tray bake we’d seen on Nadiya Bakes, and while it was in the oven, we hopped on the couch and watched TV. Wren joined us, sandwiching River between us. I tickled him, and he laughed. And I couldn’t wait for more mornings like this—with my two favorite people.

It certainly helped distract from all the shitty things going on. It had only been a few weeks since Tessa’s funeral, and Tristan put up a good front, but he was crumbling inside. Our relationship was strained, but I continued to drop off food as much as I could. Asher was talking to me at least, though I hadn’t really seen much of any of the guys since the funeral. I got the feeling Asher and Tristan were walking on eggshells, waiting for Liam and me to sort our shit out. Though I knew Tristan was too preoccupied with everything else to really give a damn.

And Liam… I sighed. Liam still wasn’t talking to me. I was grateful he and Wren were talking again. But it hurt that he’d shut me out.

“Why was the door locked?” River asked. “What were you two doing in there?” He glanced between us, clearly suspicious.

I hid my laugh behind a cough. “Sleeping.”

“No. I heard noises. Like…someone wrapping presents.” River’s eyes lit up, and his expression made me excited for Christmas morning. Though every day with these two felt like the most precious gift.

River wriggled around. I swear the kid rarely sat still. I’d asked Wren about it once, and she’d told me he’d always been this way. When she was pregnant, it often felt like he was doing cartwheels. Would our baby be just as wild? Just as unique and crazy and fun?

“Mom?”

“We were, um, working on a surprise for you,” she said.

“Anyway…” Wren fluffed one of the throw pillows. “What should we do today, fam?”

I grinned. Fam.

River was still stuck on the surprise thing. “What kind of surprise? Something for my birthday?”

If she stopped taking the pill, we might have a surprise for River by his birthday. A little brother or sister.

“Mm-hmm.” Wren nodded. “Yep.”

“Is it a dog?” He glanced to me. “I’ve always wanted a dog.”

“Really?” I feigned ignorance. “I had no idea.”

He’d only told me a thousand times every day for the past few months. Asking me questions about caring for a pet. The best breeds of dogs. Everything under the sun. If he kept it up, he was going to be more of an expert than me.

“I’ve been saving.”

Wren and I glanced at each other. “Really?” I asked. That was news to me.

“Yeah. I know dogs aren’t cheap. There’s the food. Toys. Vet appointments.”

I nodded, impressed. “Where’d you get the money?”

“Grandma pays me to help her with small tasks around the bookstore.”

“Nice.” I ruffled his hair.

“Yeah, Riv. I’m proud of you,” Wren said. “And Bennett and I think you’re ready to handle the responsibility of caring for a dog.”

River’s head whipped around so fast, I nearly laughed. “Wait. What? Are you serious?”

She nodded, biting back a smile. “Yep.”

We’d talked about getting him a dog in the past but mostly in vague terms. She’d asked me to keep an eye out for any dogs I thought would be a good fit. And last night, we’d both agreed that he was ready for the responsibility, and it would be good for him.

“But it’s not even my birthday!” He squealed.

“I know.” She laughed. “But I think you’re ready. And Bennett was telling me about this cute new puppy we think you’ll love.”

“Really?” He started jumping up and down on the couch, singing, “I’m getting a dog! I’m getting a dog!”

I glanced at Wren, and she mouthed, “I love you.”

I leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Love you too, baby.”

The rest of the day flew by. We went to the shelter and adopted our new puppy as a family. River was in heaven and named her Toodles. We were all in love with the little French bulldog, even Wren. She kept photographing the pup and River, following the two of them around with her camera.

After a quick trip to the pet store, we headed over to Wren’s parents’ house to introduce them to our newest family member. Liam’s truck was out front. My stomach was filled with dread at the prospect of confronting him, but I knew it was something that needed to be done. This had gone on long enough.

I followed Wren and River into the backyard, rubbing my palms on my thighs. I wanted this to go well. I needed it to. As much for my sake as for Wren’s.

“Uncle Liam! Look what we got!” River held up the puppy. Liam smiled, but then he spotted me and frowned.

Liam turned to Mrs. Beaudin. “You didn’t tell me he was coming.”

“Now, Liam. I think you should give Bennett a chance. Don’t throw away a lifetime of friendship just because—”

He headed for the gate, his shoulder jostling mine as he passed.

“Liam,” I called, following him out front.

He paused, then turned to face me and marched closer. We were standing in the front yard at this point, and I was positive this would end up in The Vine. The neighbors were probably eating this up.

“What do you want?” he spat.

“To talk. I want to apologize. Clear the air.”

“Why? So you can feel better about yourself?”

“No.” I stepped closer, despite the looming threat of him hitting me. “Because your friendship is important to me. You’re important to me.”

He scoffed. “You sure have a funny way of showing it.”

“I love Wren, and I really hope you can accept the fact that we’re together. If not for the sake of our friendship, then for the sake of your relationship with River.”

He narrowed his eyes at me. “What’s that supposed to mean?” I’d finally gotten his attention.

“Well…” I scuffed my fingernails on my shirt. “I am his favorite, especially now that I got him a dog.” I was teasing, but he didn’t seem to realize that.

Liam clenched his jaw as he stared across the yard. “I was here first. I was here when he was born. And I will be here for the rest of his life.”

“I hope I will be too,” I said in a more serious tone. “And I’m fucking jealous that you got those years with him. I’ll never have those memories, those experiences of what he was like as a baby.”

He turned his head slowly to look at me. “Wow. You’re serious?”

“I am.” I nodded. “And I’m serious about us moving past this. I want your support. I want your friendship.”

“Too bad I’m not friends with cowards who lie.”

“I didn’t want to lie.”

“I’m sure you didn’t.” He blew out a frustrated breath. “But you had so many opportunities to tell me.”

“Maybe.” I shrugged. “But you didn’t exactly make it easy.”

“Yeah, but if you’d just told me… If I’d known you were in love with her and not just fucking around, maybe I would’ve been—”

“What? Supportive?” I barked out a laugh. “Liam, I’ve lost count of the number of times you told me or any of us that if we touched your sister, we’d die. Not to mention the things I’ve seen you do to sabotage her dates.”

He grumbled, but I couldn’t make out any specific complaint. Just his general displeasure regarding the situation. I took it as a good sign that he was talking to me, though I assumed Wren and Mrs. Beaudin had played a role.

He was silent, so I finally said, “What’s really going on? Is it the lies? Is it that you’re worried about us breaking up? What?”

He shoved his hands into his pockets and looked to the sky. “You’re my best friend.” When he met my eyes, his were full of anger and sadness. And when he jabbed his chest with his finger and said, “Mine,” it finally clicked.

Oh. This wasn’t about me dating his sister, though I knew he still wasn’t entirely thrilled about that. Liam was afraid of losing me. We’d been each other’s number one for years. Single. Living life. But now I was settling down—with his sister. And if he was worried that our relationship would shift, I wanted to reassure him that he was still just as important to me. Maybe even more so.

“I’ll still be your best friend. And one day—hopefully in the not-too-distant future—I hope to become your brother.”

His eyes flashed to mine. “What?”

I nodded, knowing full well he understood my intent. “I want to marry Wren.”

“Shit.” He rubbed a hand over his face. “I didn’t realize…”

“I told you I’m serious about her.” I wouldn’t have risked our friendship if I weren’t. “I want your blessing. Yours and River’s.”

“Oh please.” He rolled his eyes. “Do you even know how happy River will be? That kid is going to lose his damn mind.” The corner of his lips twitched with a smile.

“I’m glad to hear that because I also want to adopt him. If he’s okay with it, of course.”

Liam shook his head, his expression going solemn. Had I pushed too far? Asked for too much too soon? He hadn’t actually forgiven me, but I wanted him to realize just how important Wren and River were to me. And what had happened with Tessa was a painful reminder that life was too short to hold back.

“We just lost Tessa,” I said. “Tristan is grieving. I don’t know what the fuck is going on with Asher. But I know that the four of us need one another, and I need you.”

“Yeah, well, you should’ve fucking thought about that before you fucked my sister. I can’t believe…Tits McGee.” He looked like he was going to be sick.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. Just when I’d thought I was making headway…

“Do you want to punch me again? Would that make you feel better?” I asked, stepping closer still. “Come on.” I held my arms wide, making myself an easy target. “Do it.”

He came closer so that we were face-to-face, his nostrils flaring, fists clenched. “I’m so pissed at you, I can barely see straight.”

“So, hit me.”

For a minute, I thought he was going to. He reared back his fist. He glared at me. But then he dropped his hand, shoulders slumped as the fight drained from him. “No one needs me anymore.”

“What?” I jerked my head back, getting whiplash from the conversation. “What are you talking about?”

He sank down onto the curb. “I’ve always been Wren’s protector. Now you’ll be filling that role. I’ve always been the cool guy in River’s life. Now, he looks to you to hang out. I’ve always been your best friend. And now that’s going to change.”

“Liam.” I joined him. “I’m not replacing you. Love isn’t like a pavlova.”

“What the heck is a pavlova?” He groaned. “Don’t tell me Wren got you hooked on that British show?”

I laughed but realized I needed to express my point more clearly. “We brought one with us tonight. You’ll love it. Anyway.” I draped my arm around his shoulder. “That’s not my point. My point is that love isn’t a competition. It’s not an either-or decision. You can love ice cream and pastries, right?”

He nodded.

“They’re both unique and delicious,” I said. “Just like River can love a cream puff like you—” I smirked, grunting when he elbowed me in the side “—and a cheesecake like me.”

“You’re a cheesecake, all right,” he deadpanned.

We sat in silence a moment before he said, “Well, I guess there’s nothing left to say.”

I dropped my head with a heavy sigh. Liam was a good friend. A good man. Why couldn’t he see past his hurt and anger to forgive me? To support my relationship with his sister? Especially when he could see how happy we made each other. And how happy River was.

Liam stood, and I resigned myself to the fact that this was going to be even more difficult than I’d imagined. But then…then, he shocked the hell out of me by offering me his hand. I looked up at him, noticing the sheen in his eyes.

“I can’t think of a man I respect more than you,” he said, his voice clogged with emotion. “Welcome to the family, brother.”

I stood and placed my hand in his, and we shook before I pulled him into a hug. “Thank you,” I said, clapping my hand on his back as relief and joy spread through me like wildfire. “Thank you. I swear I will be the best damn husband to Wren and father to River.”

He laughed, releasing me. “I know you will.” He tilted his head. “But if you ever—and I do mean ever—try talking to me about your sex life.” He sliced a finger across his throat. “We’re done.”

I chuckled. “I think I can handle that.”

“Oh.” He held up a finger. “One more thing.”

“Yeah?” I asked as we headed back to the house.

“You ask Asher or Tristan to be your best man, and you’re dead to me.”

“I was thinking about asking River,” I teased, just to get a rise out of him.

But he surprised me by saying, “That’s a great idea.”

I smiled and put him in a headlock as we reached the doors. And then we started wrestling, teasing and joking like we were thirteen and not in our thirties. Wren and River took one glance at us before realizing we were messing around. River ran over and joined us, Toodles following after him. The four of us ended up on the ground, a laughing, barking mess of tangled bodies while Wren and her parents watched on.

Liam was right—our relationship wouldn’t be the same. But that was the beauty of friendship; it continued to evolve as we aged. And I knew that no matter what, he’d always be by my side. Just like I’d always have his back.