Shattered Girl (Emmy)

Chapter 85

After a quick shower, we met up with the rest of the guys downstairs. Our time at the lake house was flying by, and I knew all too soon we would have to return to the city and our regular lives. We still had several days left of our trip though, so when the thought of seeing my mother and Clint again made y stomach roll. I told my brain to shut up. I was going to enjoy every last second with my guys, in this beautiful place.

my

After some discussion, we decided to head into town to explore a little. We would have lunch, pick up anything we needed, and then we would come back and go swimming off the dock. We were on our way into town, with me sandwiched between Patrick and Jake, when something crossed my mind. I turned to look at Patrick, giving his arm a nudge to get his attention

"When we get back to the city, are you still going to stay with us?" I motioned to the rest of the guys, hoping the answer would be yes.

"That is actually something we have been talking about, love, With Drew and Mike both getting out of the army in a few months, their current place is going to be way too small for us. We were going to bring it up with you tonight about finding a bigger place still close to the university for the three of you, but secluded enough to give us privacy and security."

"Yes, yes, yes. I love that idea. The excitement in my voice made the guys laugh, as fake pulled me in for a kiss. A few minutes later Jamie pulled into a parking spot on the main street of town. Getting out of the car he waited for the rest of us on the sidewalk. Patrick stopped to speak quietly with Sean, and after a few moments, Sean nodded and went around to the driver's side of the SUV, got in, and drove away. When I looked at him questioningly, Patrick just gave a vague explanation about Sean running an errand for him.

1 reached my hand out, and Patrick took it, pulling me close to him as we began walking down the sidewalk. The downtown area we walked through was adorable. In the center of town, there was a large park, complete with a playground where children swarmed the various structures. Small shops lined the other side of the street, everything from boutiques that catered to tourists to mom-and-pop shops that had probably been there for generations. As we headed away from the center of town, I spotted a diner at the end of the block that looked like it would be our destination.

1

We stepped inside the diner, to be met with the delicious smell of fried food. A waitress hurried up to us holding a tray of drinks. After doing a quick head count of our party, she pointed to the back of the diner, to a large circular booth, telling us to sit there and promising to be with us in a second. I ended up in the middle between Drew and Patrick. They were both holding my hands, teasing me as the waitress walked up. I froze and tried to pull my hands away, but both of the guys tightened their grips, not letting me go. The waitress gave me a quick glance and smiled reassuringly at me before asking what we all wanted to drink.

left to fill them, I looked up to see all five of the guys watching me. I smiled nervously at

anything. Don't get me wrong, there are always assholes who will stick their nose in where it doesn't belong, but we are

hack between Drew and Patrick right as the

"What's your

favorite here? Josh asked.

The bacon avocado is my favorite, though, the waitress replied. The cook also makes amazing fried chicken, which is the special of the day "Sounds good; I will have the bacon avocado

me,

said, raising my hand

rest of us will have the fried chicken and a large basket of fries for the table," Mike

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03:14

of fried chicken, and a basket of fries. It should be out soon, the waitress said, walking off

to talk to you all about something Drew said after the waitress had walked off. I turned toward him, eyes full of

a call this

concerning our retirement date. Mike

the remainder of