Page 67 of The Hang Up

I pushed my hand against my chest. The pain wasn’t there, but the memories were. Sean screaming. Accusing me of ruining his life. Collapsing in pain. And Brock right there. Always there.

“Joshua?” Brock took my arm, fear in his eyes. I shook my head, trying to reassure him. He turned to Sean, his hands clenched at his side. “Jesus fucking Christ, Sean.”

“Language,” Regina said, covering Angel’s ears. Angel pushed her hands away.

But Brock didn’t seem to notice. “Are we really doing this again? Go ahead and leave if that’s what you want. Run away. Break your father’s heart. Again.”

The betrayal was plain on Sean’s face. “You’re my best friend. How could you do this?”

All the fight seemed to leave his body. His shoulders sagged, and he shook his head. “I didn’t do anything. Falling in love with your dad…” He sighed. “It just happened. He makes me happy. I don’t want to lose you, but I can’t lose him.”

“It’s not fair. I just got him back, and now you’re taking him away.”

“Sean,” I said, reaching for his hand, but he shook his head. “I can still be here for you. Still be your father and love Brock.”

He was still shaking his head, but not as if he was saying no. Like he was still trying to figure everything out. Ben wrapped his arms around him, and Sean hugged him tight.

“Can I say something?” Roan asked, biting his lip and shooting nervous glances at Sean.

“Go ahead.” I nodded at him.

“Okay, well…. You guys got eighteen,” he said, throwing a quick glance at Sean, “and I don’t think we’re playing the rest of this round—so you won the game.”

Ben glared at his brother. And Matthew slapped him on the arm. “Dude, timing.”

“I thought they’d want to know.”

Things weren’t perfect. Sean had some adjusting to do. At least he hadn’t stormed out. I took that as a good sign. So, no, things weren’t perfect, but we weren’t hiding anymore.

“We won,” I said, keeping my voice low and taking his hand.

“We did.” Brock grinned. I wanted to kiss him. But would it be cruel to do that in front of Sean? He’d have to get used to it eventually—

“Oh, for Christ’s sake,” Mitch said, “just kiss him already.”

“Ben took Sean to the kitchen.” Regina tilted her head, giving me a smile. It was nice to have her approval. Sort of. I still remembered her threat.

“We have an audience,” I said to Brock, focusing on his blue eyes.

He raised an eyebrow at me. “Performance anxiety?”

“Brat,” I growled, placing my hand on the back of his neck and the other one cupping his face as I pulled him closer and kissed him. There were cheers and whistles. Sean had to have heard, but I tried not to worry about that. This moment was for Brock. For us.

“That’s it?” Brock grinned, a challenge in his eyes. “Come on, Grandpa, you can do better than that.”

So I did. And I didn’t care who was watching.

CHAPTER16

Brock

Everyone started leavingafter that since it was late and the drama of the night was over. Sean didn’t say goodbye, but Ben did. He hugged me and shook Joshua’s hand. “Don’t worry. He’ll be fine. He just needs to get used to his best friend possibly becoming his stepdad.”

I stared at Ben.” Seriously?”

“Too soon? I’m not good with timing.”

Mom grabbed me and tried to squeeze the life out of me. She also gave Joshua a hug and an I’m-watching-you gesture, but at least she was smiling. Angel grinned at me and then Joshua. “I knew it.”

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