Page 9 of Shameless Cowboy
Austin pulls me back into his side. “Actually, I am proud of myself. I’ve finally got what I’ve always wanted, and I couldn’t be fucking happier to be married to the woman I love. I plan to take care of her and make life easier for her for the rest of our lives.”
I melt against him, laying my head on his shoulder. “Aww, I love you too, baby.”
Brooks’ mouth hangs open as his gaze darts between his brother and me before shaking his head. “Did I get drunk, pass out, and am dreaming now? You two can barely stand each other. You only get along because of me. This marriage is fake.”
“Actually, I’ve had feelings for Kayla for a long time, but first she was too young and then I thought you had a thing for her and I didn’t want to get in the way of that. When you didn’t demand she marry you when you had the opportunity, I figured it was finally my chance.”
“I had a crush on Austin when I was much too young for him and figured he just always saw me as your friend and nothing more, especially with the way he kept his distance. I was confused when he was being everything I ever dreamed a husband could be and he confessed how he felt. Things just happened from there. He didn’t take advantage of me in any way and I’m disappointed that you think he would do that or that I would stand for something like that. I hope you can get on board with this because he’s your brother and you’re my best friend. I would hate for this to come between us.”
Brooks runs a hand through his hair while blowing out a breath, looking toward the ceiling as if seeking divine intervention. When he brings his gaze back to us, his eyebrows are furrowed. “Look, this is all a lot to digest and wrap my headaround. I want you both to be happy, and if that’s what you found with each other, then I’ll be thrilled for you, but it’s going to take some getting used to. I’m sorry if I overreacted, but I never in a million years expected to walk in on what I just did, and frankly, I hope never to again.”
“Fair enough, but just to warn you, you might want to find your own place then because I don’t intend to stop having my way with my wife whenever the hell I want, which is a lot.” Austin smirks at Brooks.
“Austin, stop!” I roll my eyes. “I think he’s been tormented enough for the evening.” The timer on the oven goes off, and I turn to pull out dinner. “You hungry?” I ask Brooks.
He shakes his head. “You seriously think I have an appetite after walking in on that? I’ve had a long drive. I’m just going to go to bed now.”
I grab his arm as he walks past. “We’re good, right?”
He studies me for a moment before nodding and pulling me in for a hug. “Yeah, we’re good.” His eyes narrow at Austin. “I’ll break your fucking fingers if you hurt her, though.”
Austin nods. “I’ll hand you the hammer to do so, should it ever come to that.”
Brooks tips his chin before heading down the hall to his bedroom. I turn and bury my face in Austin’s shoulder. “That could’ve gone better.”
He shrugs. “It could’ve been worse. He didn’t punch me. Just give him some time. We’ve had a couple of weeks to adjust, and we had hormones easing the way. He’s going to feel like an outsider for a while.”
“You’re going to have to learn how to keep your hands to yourself so he doesn’t feel like he’s intruding.”
“I’ll do my best until he gets used to the idea of us, but I can’t make any promises. After not being able to touch you for so long, I’m taking advantage of every opportunity now.”
“Yeah, well, just remember you have me for the rest of our lives, so there’ll be no shortage of opportunities anymore.”
“I suppose you’re right. Now let’s eat. I’m famished and need to get my strength up for later to make up for getting interrupted just now.”
“God, you really are shameless.”
He just grins. “And I always will be when it comes to you.”
Epilogue
Austin
Life can’t get much better than it is at this moment in time. The only way it could be would be if Kayla were already pregnant. I can’t wait until we have a couple of rugrats running around causing chaos in this place. The way we’ve been going at it, it shouldn’t be long now.
It just means I’m savoring every moment I have my wife to myself right now. Well, except when Brooks is around. He’s been keeping himself scarce for the last several weeks, but Kayla makes sure they have their weekly Bachelorette dates so he doesn’t feel abandoned and left out.
I decided I would bow out and let them have their time together since I get her the rest of the time. It’s helped bring my brother around to the thought of us being in a real marriage.
I was a little concerned with how upset he was at first, thinking I was right all along and he did have feelings for Kayla, but he told me he was just worried about her. He really had no idea we had a thing for each other. Once he finally saw how in love we are, he came around.
Now we’re working on making him an uncle. I’m betting he’ll be almost as excited as us and will be amazing with our kids. Though I think what he really needs is a woman of his own. Now he sees what is possible, he knows what he’s missing out on.
I stomp off the snow as I enter the mudroom, toeing off my boots as I hang up my coat. Dinner smells incredible. My wife is an amazing cook on top of blowing my mind in bed. I never thought I would get so lucky.
She stands at the stove, stirring what smells like stew, with a fresh loaf of crusty bread resting on the cutting board. The perfect meal to warm up from the cold. But I know something better to warm me up even faster.
I wrap my arms around her as I nuzzle my nose in the spot below her ear that makes her gasp.
