Page 58 of Breathtaking

Women love my brothers. They’d die if they saw the slobs they really are.

“Yeah well, yours aren’t so bad either,” I admit. But really, it’s just one. The one who refused to keep his hands off me all day. From the gentle brush of his hand, every time he was near, to the way his hand would rest on the small of my back each time he’d introduce me to another new family member... it was like he was looking for ways to get under my skin. And he did a great job if that was his goal. I’m going to have to remind him our marriage will be in name only. That’s all it can ever be. But that’s a problem for another day. I can only handle so much in one afternoon, and I’ve just about hit my limit.

I lean back on my elbows and let the late afternoon sun soak into my skin.

“Have you called Gracie yet?” Caitlin asks a few minutes later.

“No. I need to,” I admit.

“You should do that soon. My husband is her uncle, and their family is as close as ours. Word travels fast in Kroydon Hills,” she warns as I attempt to piece together the puzzle.

“You guys need one of those string boards to show how everyone in this town is connected. It’s so confusing.” I slowly push up to my feet, careful not to irritate my bruised ribs, and pull my phone from my pocket. “But thank you... for everything today.”

She smiles a beautiful smile and looks so much like her brother in that moment, it takes my breath away. “Listen, I’ve been surrounded by brothers my entire life. I’ve always wanted a sister. And you’re way better than what I was expecting.”

“Thanks, I think.” I hold my phone up and muster what little courage I’ve got left. “I’m going to call Grace.”

Caitlin nods. “I’m going to go say my goodbyes to everyone. I think it’s time for me to go home and thank Callen for putting up with my family.”

“Bye,” I whisper as she walks away. The weight of the phone is heavy in my hand because I hate the idea Grace could be mad at me... but I wouldn’t blame her if she was. I pull up her name and stare at the picture of the two of us I set as her contact photo years ago. It was taken after opening night of our first ballet together. We were babies back then, with no idea what the world had in store for us or how many ways it would kick our asses. My thumb hovers before I finally press call.

“Lennon... Oh my God, I was just thinking of you,” Grace answers after the very first ring, and I almost burst into tears.

“Hey, Gracie...”

MADDOX

Iwalk my mother to the door that night after everyone else has left. And I do mean everyone. Half my fucking family has been here today. If I had to hear one more comment about buying furniture, I was going to throw them all out. Not really, because they were all here to help. But man... it was tempting.

Mom turns before walking through the door and holds my face in her hands. “The boy who made me a mommy is having a baby... I’m not sure I was ready for that.”

“That makes two of us, Ma.” I smile, and her eyes fill with emotion. “Thanks for everything you did today.”

“You’ll see there’s nothing in the world you wouldn’t do for your children’s happiness, Maddox. From the very first time you hear their heartbeat through the rest of their lives, they’ll come first.Always. Every day. You’re going to be an incredible father. But I’d be remiss not to mention you don’t have to be a husband to be a father.”

Her words land with a solid hit, as she intended. “It’s complicated, Mom.”

“Love always is, sweet boy. And I have no doubt that girl’s life is more complicated than most. I just hope you know what you’re doing.” She pulls my head down to her and kisses my forehead, then lets go. “And when you’re ready to deal with whoever hurt her, promise me you’ll talk to your father first.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I lie, but this isn’t the kind of thing we’ve been raised to discuss with her.

“Yes, you do. Don’t ever forget I was able to handle myself long before I married your father. And you wouldn’t be the man we raised you to be if you didn’t know exactly what I meant. But like I said, promise me you’ll speak to your father.”

I nod without saying anything.

Plausible deniability.

“Love you, Mom.”

“I love you, sweetheart. Don’t fuck this up, okay? I like her.” She waits for me to agree before leaving, and my heart squeezes because I’m pretty sure all I’ve done is fuck this up for years.

Once the door is locked, I expect to find Lennon and Meatball tucked into the corner of the couch, but the couch is empty, and the room is quiet. I check outside before making a loop around the first floor but come up empty-handed before taking the steps two at a time upstairs, where I hear her crying.

One day, I’m going to make it so this woman never has to cry again.

The door to my bedroom is open, and Lennon is sitting on the center of my bed, her legs crossed and Meatball in her lap with his big head nuzzled against her stomach. “Lennon... What’s wrong?”

I cross the room as she wipes her face.

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