We Just Need Us (Second Generation Book 5)

Chapter 27

ROBBIE

“You’re what?” Somebody, I think it was Jace let out from behind us as Akira and Graham shared their good news to the entire cast of characters at the ranch.

“We’re getting married before I report to Spring Training. So...within the next week.” Graham explained, once again. Based on the chatter and the cheers though, I think most everybody got it the first time around, but they were just in too much shock to let it sink in.

Graham and Akira were full of surprises today, but that is fine because I think it will allow the news that Clementine and I are going to move in together to be brought up at a later date. When I told her yes this morning, I meant every word of it, but I’m not stupid, I know how her family still sees me. In the time that I’ve been here, I have worked my hardest to show them that I’m not the guy that left before, but it hasn’t been easy to break down those walls.

I was actually amazed that it took so little to bring Clementine around. I know that I hurt her so much and she had been through so much as a result of my bad choice. She could always see right through me though and maybe that is the reason why her forgiveness seemed to come easier. I was trying hard to be there for Vivienne and Clementine. I wanted to show Vivienne that I could be the dad that she deserved and the boyfriend and life partner that Clementine deserved and could be proud of. Moving in just seemed natural. I’ve never been happier than when I’m sharing space with the two of them.

That same happiness was radiating from Graham as his family members surrounded Akira and him to share hugs and congratulations. I’m happy for him. I didn’t keep in touch with him, for obvious reasons, but since I’ve been home, Clementine has told me about the two of them. They also speak as frequently as they can, so I haven’t actually spoken to him before today, but I’ve been around when she did. 

“Now wait a minute,” Brooke talks over the group, “why don’t you two seem as surprised as the rest of us?” She points over to Bev and Walker, Graham’s parents. 

“Oh please,” Bev waves her off, “we’ve known of these plans since he got the phone call from the Colorado team.”

“And YOU kept a secret?” Miles teased his step-mom.

Bev gasped, feigning offense to the statement, “I’ll have you know that I can keep a secret.”

“Since when?” This question coming from Brooke again.

“Leave my wife alone,” Walker speaks up in defense of his wife. “This has been a very hard couple of weeks for her. She practically talked about it every single night when we were alone and a bunch of random people on our drive to Hillshire to have dinner with them last night heard about it as well.”

“So THAT is why you went to Hillshire last night. All these pieces are coming together now,” Britt says to her little sister.

“Of course I was there last night. There was no way in hell my baby boy was going to finally be in the States and I didn’t go see him as soon as I possibly could.” Bev joking reaches over and pinches Graham’s cheeks, but he swats his mom’s hand away.

Graham pulls Akira closer to him and I find myself mimicking the action with Clementine, I move to her in the crowd and slide my arms around her waist, pulling her back into me. Right away I see Jace’s eyes meet mine from across the room. He glances down at my arms and back at me, but I look away without giving him any attention. I’m tired of these guys thinking they get a say in what I do with Clementine. She’s clearly not pulling away from me and her words last night were very positive of me touching her in many different ways.