Read Falling Together (All That Remains #2) for Free Online Page B

shoulder. “Put me down!” I cry, still giggling.
    “Sure
thing, darlin’,” he drawls. Letting my body slide down his chest, he plants his
leg behind mine and falls back into the mud, taking me with him. I’m soaked and
covered in grime from head to toe.
    “You
asshole!” I laugh, splashing him.
    “Traitor.”
Grinning, he lies back in the mud hole as if he’s reclining on the beach, slips
his arm around me, and pulls me onto his chest. I can hear the others laughing
and hooting. I’m lying on top of him, face to face. His eyes are lit up, alive
and dancing with happiness as they gaze into mine. No woman in the world could
resist him when he’s like this. We kiss, warming our lips against one
another’s. “This would be perfect if we were naked,” he murmurs, too low to be
heard by our snickering audience.
    “You’re
terrible.”
    “Let’s
get Joseph,” he whispers. Muddy hands pull me to my feet and we climb out of
the puddle. Our intentions must have been shining on our faces. Joseph takes a
cautious step back a second before we dart toward him. Eric and Carson hold him
until Airen grabs his waist, and we drag him into the mud with us.
    “It
was Abby’s idea!” He laughs, glancing at me.
    “Oh,
you backstabber! You’re so full of shit! Who brought me the water balloons?” His
lie earns him a muddy splash. After a minute or two of wrestling to keep him
submerged in the goo we let him go and climb out. I sling an arm around each of
them, and we head for the water barrel to wash off the worst of the mud, still
chuckling and teasing. My boys, how I love them.
    After
a quick shower, we’re all ready to eat. Joseph gets the honor of serving the
roasted pork since it was his arrow that brought it to our table. Who knew he
was so good with a crossbow? Is it strange I find the thought of him firing it
sort of sexy? I’ve become a prehistoric barbaric cave woman, or maybe it’s the
hard lemonade.
    After
dinner and a few too many drinks, we gather around the bonfire. Jayla brings
Airen his guitar and tries to convince him to sing. It’s been ages since he
played and sang for us; not since Julie, Eric, and Troy joined us, and I
suspect they’re the reason for his shy refusal. It’s one of those rare
occasions when he lets his confident, dauntless façade slip, showing the
insecure little boy hidden beneath.
    “Play
the bottom of the sea song, Uncle Airen, please,” Walker begs. Joseph glances
at Airen with an impish grin. Walker has only recently begun calling him Uncle
Airen and it’s clear from his expression he’s pleased with the moniker. He
reluctantly picks up the guitar and begins tuning it. Walker beams from ear to
ear and winks at me, and I laugh aloud. That little rascal knew Airen couldn’t
resist those puppy dog eyes.
    He
plays a few children’s songs for Walker and everyone sings along with him.
After a rather humorous rendition of “I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly”,
he attempts to lay the guitar aside.
    “Play
a song for Mom,” Jayla suggests, and smiles at me.
    “You
don’t have to do that,” I reply hastily, trying to let him off the hook. With a
soft grin, he scoots over, and motions for me to sit beside him. The flames
cast a glow on his gorgeous face, making his dark eyes glitter. They focus on
me lovingly, and he leans to plant a chaste kiss on my cheek before he begins.
Everyone is hushed, and his cheeks flush a soft pink as all eyes are on him. I
half expect him to play something silly to break the tension and make them
laugh.
    Instead,
he pivots to face me and begins to play and sing softly. I recognize the song
immediately and a lump forms in my throat. “God Only Knows What I’d Be Without You.”
An oldie for sure, by The Beach Boys. It’s a beautiful love song and hearing
him sing it to me in his husky voice affects me deeply. His eyes never leave
mine while the words spill from his lips. I forget I’m surrounded by people,
forget everything but him, my