Chasing You

30

LACEY

Everyone is stuffed. We all are just sitting around the dining room table laughing and chatting. I can't even think about eating anything else today. The turkey and mashed potatoes were amazing. Miss Fletcher made sure that we had third helpings of everything. I don't know how the boys are still eating right now.

"I think I have a baby," Carter moans, leaning back. Asher pauses his eating with wide eyes. I release a loud laugh as Jeremy puts a hand on his shoulder.

"Dibs on Godfather!" Trey yells excitedly. Asher releases a loud cough while Carter's eyes widen.

"No! No, food baby!" Carter exclaims. She shakes her head violently while Braden and I let out a loud laugh.

"Don't get me excited for a grandbaby," Miss Fletcher says, pointing a serving spoon at Carter. Asher chokes again, shaking his head.

"Mom! We are not ready for that yet," Asher says, shaking his head. Carter smiles at the 'yet' and so do I. Carter has told me all about how they have discussed marriage and kids. Trust me, they will be popping out babies sooner rather than later.

I shiver just thinking about it. I'm pretty sure talking about kids right now gives me an eye twitch.

"That isn't a no," she comments. Asher looks horrified and his mom and brother laugh. Miss Fletcher continues cleaning up with the help of Carter. I stand up as well as Braden's mom.

"It's your turn little brother," I hear Cody respond. Trey, Jeremy, and Robbie add in making me shake my head.

"You are going to give that poor guy a heart attack," I say, bumping hips with Carter. She rolls her eyes at me waving a free hand at me.

"We might as well be popping out babies with as much as-"

"Maybe don't finish that sentence," I say. I am currently trying to resist the urge to gag right now. I'd prefer not to hear about their sex life, like I really would prefer to never hear about it.

She glances around the kitchen at Braden and Asher's mom and smiles, "Yeah maybe you're right."

I chuckle at her as we head over towards the sink. We place the empty plates and bowls in the sink and get to washing.

"Deb and I are going to get ready for dessert, you girls got the dishes?" Miss Fletcher asks. Carter shoots her a thumbs up as they head out of the kitchen. Ashley took Cora upstairs for a nap or else she would be helping us too.

"The boys will be bringing in the rest of the dishes," Deb comments. I smile at her and nod. I know it's going to take the boys a long time to get up from the table. Carter and I wash the dishes and chat about her time at home. I can't help but feel a bit of jealousy hearing her talk about home. I know my mom is a jerk and I know I shouldn't be jealous but it sucks. Not being able to be home.

But, I am grateful for all the guys and their families. For inviting me here and probably giving me the best Thanksgiving I could ask for.

"Lacey, you are off dish duty," Asher's voice says from behind me. I turn around confused as does Carter. I put the plate in the dishwasher and grab a dish towel.

"What! No, this is girl time and you will just distract me!" Carter says.

"Bye Lacey," Asher says, ushering me towards the door. He grabs the dish towel from my hands and guides me out the door. Carter is bitching behind him and he ignores her. He sent me a white toothed smile before closing the door of the kitchen. I narrow my eyes at the closed door.

Horny little bitch.

"Hey."

I jump forward and whip around. I hold a hand across my heart staring at Braden. He wiggles his eyebrows around me making me tilt my head at him. One hand is behind his back making me stare at him cautiously.

"You little shit, Asher and Carter aren't going to get anything done," I say, throwing my hands up. He grabs my arm lightly pulling me into him.

"I just wanted some alone time and-" he says. He moves his arm away from his back and shows me a birthday gift bag. My jaw drops. With everything going on, I honestly forgot my birthday is in a few days.

"You did not," I say, shaking my head.

"You did it and that was before we were even together," he explains. I frown, shaking my head again. He untucks his chain and shows me the charm I bought for him. I can't help my lips twitching into a smile.

He got me.

"Are we together?"

"Oh my God this again," he says laughing. He shoves the bag into my hands, "Just please open this."

I sigh, shaking my head at him but take the bag. I remove the tissue paper shoved in the bag and grab the box at the bottom. I place the bag underneath my arm and flip open the ring box. I smile when I look at the gold band with tiny diamonds equally separated from each other. I can't help the tears in my eyes.

"This is too much," I say. I try to put the ring back in his hand but he takes a step back.

"No, that is to hold you over until I can get you a real one," Braden comments, giving me a cheeky smile. I stare at him with an unconvinced look.

"Stealing Asher's lines now are we?" I chuckle. I whip my eyes with the back of my hand as he laughs too.

"Shut up and let me put the ring on you," he says. I laugh but don't say anything else. I hold my hand out as he places the ring on my finger. It sparkles in the light as I move my fingers. "Looks good on you."

"It does, doesn't it?" I ask, holding up my hand to him. He rolls his eyes at me and brings me into him. I meet his lips, pushing up on my tippy toes. I wrap my arms around his neck as he cups my cheek. My stomach is doing flips but good flips. Braden makes me feel something I have never felt before. It's stupid and I know it but I don't want to be with anyone else. His hands move down to my waist pulling me closer to him. The gift bag is on the floor as well as the ring box.

Long, long, forgotten.

Someone clears their voice behind us. We both pull away but stay embraced with each other. Trey stands there with a cheeky smile on his face.

"Dessert is served but Braden might've already had his," Trey jokes. Braden gives him a middle finger while a blush creeps up onto my pale skin.

"You're just not fucking funny," Braden says holding me tight. I chuckle but push away from his chest.

"C'mon," I say. I tug on his arm and he follows me while I follow Trey. Who still has a cheeky look on his face.

"If it makes you feel any better Robbie found Carter and Asher were also getting hot and heavy," Trey states. Braden and I both make faces at the thought as we head into the dining room. I halt to a stop when I see a bright pink birthday cake on the table.

Candles are lit at the top of it with 'Happy Birthday, Lacey!' written in purple. I turn around and look at Braden. He shakes his head nodding his head at Carter.

"Surprise! I got it from that bakery you love!" she exclaims happily. Asher smiles at her proudly. I move away from Braden and wrap my arms around Carter. She squeezes me back. "I know I won't be here for your actual birthday but I had to do something. Then when we get back we can all celebrate!"

"No thank you, Car. This means a lot!" I say giving her a genuine smile. She claps her hands together, turning me around. Everyone begins singing happy birthday as I stand in front of the cake. I never know what to do when people sing me happy birthday. All I do is stand there and try to take it all in.

Everything these people have done has meant so much to me. I want to cry because of how happy I am. They end off the song and I blow the candles out on the cake. I don't need to make a wish because I have everything that I want right now.

"Thank you all so much," I say, smiling at everyone around me.

"Of course honey!" Deb says, wrapping an arm around my shoulder. I smile at her.

"Now the cake though," Tyler says. Deb smacks the back of his head making all of us join in laughter. I turn and gaze at Braden. The way his dark facial features crinkle when he laughs. His white smile and his chain with the charm I bought him twinkle under the light. He meets my eyes and shoots me a wink.

It's true. What I said about a wish. I don't need a wish, I have everything I want right here.