Page 74 of #Lovestrong

Declan

Jaz and Lena are trying to kill me, I think. We just got home, and in the last ten hours we've hiked over ten miles, went swimming in a river, hiked back from the river, and stopped at the cattle ranch her dad owns and helped move hay bales. I'm in good shape, but my arms and legs feel like they're going to fall off. Her dad does that work every day and I don't understand how he hasn't died yet.

It's only seven and I'm ready for bed. I plop on the couch as the girls head into the kitchen, chatting happily as they start taking food out of the fridge. They seem to have more energy, even after all the excitement from today. No wonder my girlfriend is so sexy. Living here made her look like that. All this time, I thought it was soccer. But no, it's just life in her hometown.

"How are you two still going? I need a nap. Seriously," I say, heaving myself off the couch and going to stand in the kitchen doorway.

They both laugh and it lifts my spirits. I love seeing Lena this happy. Being here makes her nervous, that much is obvious, but Jaz showing up this morning was good for her. Jaz is not only an awesome person, but she's truly loyal to Lena and loves her. She has this protectiveness toward Lena, like a mother has to a child. It's heartwarming.

It's going to be cool having Jaz at college with us next year. I can't wait to see what kind of shenanigans she, Lena, and Candice get into.

"You can go lay down, babe," Lena says as she sets two frying pans on the stove. "Jaz and I are going to make dinner. My dad won't be home for another hour anyway."

"Come here," I say in a low voice.

Jaz's eyebrows shoot up as Lena walks toward me, her face already turning red. When she stops in front of me, I lean down and press my lips to hers. She tilts her head and dips her tongue into my mouth, and my entire train of thought goes from a nap to craving her.

My arm goes around her and presses into the small of her back until her body is flush against mine. She lets a moan escape into my mouth, and my other hand tangles in her hair.

"As cute as you two are, you're making me sexually frustrated," Jaz says, shocking us back to reality.

Lena pulls back and laughs before gently kissing me again. When she turns and walks back to the stove, she stops to playfully punch Jaz in the arm.

"Ouch," Jaz says, rubbing her upper arm as she smiles at me and winks. "I'm just saying, it's a good thing you can't get pregnant just by a guy looking at you. If you could, you'd be pregnant already."

"Oh my gosh, Jaz, shut up." Lena shakes her head as she leans over the stove to turn one of the burners on. "Declan, go take a nap."

"Funny thing," I say, smirking. "I'm suddenly not tired."

Lena looks over her shoulder at me and rolls her eyes. Jaz cracks up laughing.

I sit at the kitchen table and spend the next hour watching them make dinner. Just as they're putting the last of the food on the table, Mr. Harrison comes in from work, letting the front screen door bang shut behind him.

"Something in here smells good," he says, walking into the kitchen. He claps me on the shoulder as both girls turn and hug him. "What's for dinner?"

"Pork chops, corn on the cob, collard greens, and cornbread," Lena says as Mr. Harrison washes his hands in the sink.

"Ah, that sounds good. This is why I miss you being home. It's boring not having someone to cook for or with." He gives her an affectionate smile.

Sitting down at the table, Mr. Harrison bows his head and we all follow suit. "Lord, thank you for this food. Thank you for having us all together tonight. We're all blessed in different ways, and more importantly, we're blessed for the amazing lives and opportunities you've given us, and for all the things you provide for us each day. Amen."

We say "Amen" in unison and everyone digs in.

Mr. Harrison and I talk about his life as a cattle rancher and I find it more fascinating than I thought possible. He's a hard working man and has been his whole life. It's admirable.

"Has it always been just you and Lena," I ask. Lena glances at her father out of the corner of her eye, her face tightening as she sits up to sip her drink.

Mr. Harrison sighs as he takes a sip of his drink as well. "Lena's mother, Shari, left when Lena was five. By the time Lena was ten, she knew her mother wasn't coming back and we found our groove."

"I'm sorry," I say, realizing the bond between Lena and her dad is stronger than anything I'll ever understand. I also see why Lena checking out on everything after the shooting was so bad. It's only ever been them, and he almost lost her in the shooting, then lost her for a while after that.

"Mr. Harrison is the dad we all wish we had. No one could have raised Lena better," Jaz says with pride in her voice. I look over at her, my brows pulled together in confusion. "My dad was killed when we were nine. Accident at his job. Mr. Harrison stepped in and has helped my mom raise me since then."

"I had no idea," I say, looking from Jaz to Mr. Harrison.

He shrugs, clearly uncomfortable with being praised. "It's what we do here. We take care of our own."

Lena lets out a bitter laugh. "Yeah, until someone shoots up a school, then we condemn our own."