count on me (l.h)

"if i'm with you, i'm home"

"I can't believe you guys didn't tell me about that—that's messed up," Gabe said, directed at me, once they walked back down.

"Your baby brain probably just forgot," Cam said, which got them bickering again.

"What has gotten into the both of you? I haven't heard you carry on like this since Cam was a high schooler—I'm about to send both of you to your rooms." I laughed at my dad's annoyed tone and the boys rushed out of the room to avoid any more reprimanding. "They've been getting on so well, I don't know what's changed."

"It's annoying, but also refreshing—I think it's sorta cute," I told Dad through a laugh as the three of us moved toward the box spring that was waiting for us on the other side of the room.

"Cute? Your patience is unmatched." We picked up the box spring and placed it in the frame before repeating the process with the mattress.

"Knock-knock!" As soon as I had turned around and fell onto the bed, I heard Howie's voice downstairs.

"Madalyn!" I yelled out before pushing myself up from the bed—I rushed out of the room and down the stairs, wrapping my arms around Madalyn as soon as I found her.

"Oh, Jo! It's so good to see you—I love how much you always appreciate my presence," Howie began to speak the second I was in their vicinity, and I simply laughed at his whining. I hugged him once I had pulled away from Madalyn, and appreciated the mighty squeeze he offered.

"I can't get over how much I love it here," Madalyn said as she did a little spin. "This place is so you, Josie."

"I'm over the moon," I told her through a laugh as I shook my head in disbelief. "Maybe when I wake up here tomorrow I'll finally realize it's all happening."

I got Madalyn and Howie started on something before walking back upstairs, to find my dad and Luke both sitting on the bed.

"Did someone say you two could take a break?" I joked as I rushed up to the bed and jumped on it.

"I'm all worn out, I think that's all I can do for today," Dad teased. I sent him a look and he laughed before pushing himself off the bed. He stepped in front of where I was sitting and placed his hand on my cheek before leaning down and kissing my head. "I'm gonna go find your mom—surely she can give me a job."

"And then there were two," Luke spoke once my dad was out of the room. He pulled me closer to him on the bed and I sprouted a smile as I looked at him. "Is the bedding up here?"

"Mhm," I said, just before kissing him. I got off the bed and rushed toward the box that had all the bedding—I threw a couple of things Luke's way and then we got to work.

Once the bed was completely made, pillows and all, Luke picked me up and threw me on the bed, which caused me to yelp. He breathily laughed before getting onto the bed and laying beside me.

"This is maybe the best thing anyone's ever gotten me," I said as I shut my eyes, soaking in the pure comfort that the bed was giving me. Having the opportunity to exist in Luke's bed occasionally had become a privilege, so knowing I'd be getting that level of comfort all the time was unbelievable. "But you know what this means, don't you?"

"Hmm?" Luke asked, sounding genuinely curious.

"I don't need your place anymore—since I was just there for the bed, of course." I looked over at Luke and watched as his eyes shot open before he turned his head to look at me.

"You're such an ass." I smiled widely before leaning forward and pecking his lips. Luke fully laid on his side and placed his hand on my cheek. "It's a good thing I love you, you know."