"Better not! Or I'll have to kick your ass!" she jokingly threatened. She could never mean it. Nor if she was being serious, could she actually kick Gage's ass. They both knew that but Zoe would never admit to it. Ever.
And that was true. She loved Gage just as he was from the very first moment they met. There was just this place of belonging. This place she fit with Gage. Zoe didn't really know how to explain it and most people didn't understand it. But as far as she was concerned they didn't need to. "Maybe," she finally said, grinning at him.
"Hurt your parents?" Zoe asked, immediately concerned. "What happened?" All of her jokes and any of her earlier amusement disappeared. She pulled him over the the couch and sat down next to him, tucking her legs up underneath her. She couldn't imagine what could provoke Gage to make a decision to intentionally hurt someone, let alone his family.