Page 67 of Right With You
“Glad to have you back,” I said, relieved I’d stolen a moment to update him on everything so I didn’t have to lay it out now… not that whatever was coming would be fun.
Happily, every little bite I took was delicious, as always, and I realized I probably should’ve had lunch instead of coming here after a run and no recovery food and gorging myself on all of Stone’s hard work.
“Have as much as you like. There’s plenty.”
Bear settled at Stone’s feet and tucked his head over his paws.
I nodded in thanks as I chewed a bite and Kenny grinned.
“You know, you’re such a gruff, quiet guy on the outside, but I feel like your hospitality skills are top notch. The world out there’s missing out on you.”
Beast hummed, his mouth full, apparently echoing Kenny.
Stone shifted and frowned, not looking at any of us. Kenny recovered it immediately by gently setting a hand on his shoulder. “No pressure, big guy. Just saying you’re doing great.”
This was why I’d come. These were my brothers, and whenever I feared the hollow dread of being disowned, which might indeed happen, I needed to remember I wouldn’t lose these men. I wouldn’t lose Aurelie and Michele either, though I didn’t know how complicated my grandfather might make their lives if he did want to disavow me completely.
“Okay, it’s time, man. Let me cut to it.” Kenny waited for me to signal and when I raised my teacup to him, he bowed. “You asked Elise to be your fake fiancée thinking she would be unattainable as someone who’s pretty public about not wanting to date. But, since you are a sensitive soul who doesn’t actually want to be single until he dies at a hundred and two, you ended up opening up, and now?”
The teacup bobbled in the saucer as I set it down, hand shaking ever so slightly. “And now?”
Stone and Kenny had nearly identical expressions.
“And now you’ve fallen.” Beast’s words cut to the quick.
Scrubbing my hands through my hair, I flopped back against the sofa and stared at the ceiling while they waited, two of them far more patiently than the other.
Finally, I admitted, “Yeah. I’ve fallen.”
Kenny let out a whoop and a low, quick laugh came from Stone. Beast’s low, satisfied chuckle topped it all off.
“This is great news,” Kenny said, holding a hand up for me, which I slapped.
“It feels good for the most part, though she has no interest in anything beyond this. She made it clear she doesn’t date and doesn’t want to before we ever started this.” I reached for one of the snacks, a little sandwich I didn’t look too closely at because whatever it was, it’d be delicious.
“After seeing you guys at the gala, I am not concerned.”
Beast’s matter of fact delivery sent a bolt of longing through me while Kenny winked as though he had insider information.
I wished they were right. And yet I dreaded the same, because then we would both end up hurt, wouldn’t we?
“I hope you’re right. And I also…” I hated admitting this, but I had to be honest with them. “I also don’t.”
“Because you’re scared.” Stone’s words were not a question.
“Yes. This feels big and I’ve never even approached this level of feeling for someone. Some of it was already there if I’m honest but I thought I could contain it. But the more I get to know her, the more I see her be herself, the more I think I was always doomed.”
Kenny clasped his hand over his heart and sighed dramatically. “Doomed to love!”
I rolled my eyes, and the jerks next to me chuckled. Well, Beast rolled his, too.
Kenny sobered and held my gaze.
“Your dad lost it and that was scary for you to watch—traumatic in some ways, even. So this fear makes sense. But you’re not your dad, nor is Elise your mom. If I could implore you for one thing, it’d be to let yourself take a chance. Elise is a good woman who deserves a good man and that’s you.”
I swallowed hard, hope and fear warring in my chest. But I wanted what he challenged me to. I wanted to take the chance. I could at least… confirm she felt the same as she did in the beginning.
I just didn’t know if I could.
