Page 62 of Damaged Prince
“Yes. Of course.” Well, Owen is... I’m not gonna talk about that right now.
“Good.” He nods. “Because I’d have to kick their asses if they hurt you. It’s what fathers do.” He shrugs, and god, I want to cry. Even though this is a really awkward moment, it’s also kind of... sweet? I’ve never had a dad to be so protective over me.
“What I’m getting at is that I want to thank you for being there for my sons. They are good boys, and all I’ve ever wanted is for them to be happy, to find someone who will treat them well and love them hard. Logan has been through so much, and he’s trying so hard to be the best dad for Benny while keeping up his grades and doing good in football. I try to do the best I can for him, but there’s only so much I can do. Having you here, the way you impacted their lives... I truly don’t think Logan would have been able to get through everything that’s happened if it wasn’t for you. I’m so proud he found himself a woman like you, Laney.”
“James...”Yup, and now I’m crying. Great.
“Do you love him?”
“Yes,” I say without hesitation. “I love Logan and Benny so, so much.”
“They love you too,” he states with a smile, his own eyes becoming glassy. “And Eli,” he sighs heavily. “For the longest time, I was so worried about him. Medication, therapy, none of it seemed to work. I knew sometimes teenagers suffered from depression, and I did whatever I could to help him, but nothing worked.” He sighs heavily, eyes red now. “I felt like I failed him for so long. I’d stay up at night wishing my wife was here because she would know what to do. She would be what he needed. Things got better a few years ago. He seemed to come out of his shell, opened up more. But I’ve never seen him so happy and alive as he has been since you came into his life.” James reaches out and takes my trembling hand into his. “Thank you for being what my boys needed when I couldn’t be. You have mine andyour mother’s full support, okay? You’re adults. You're free to love who you want. Just treat each other well.”
“Okay,” I sniff, nodding my head. “Thank you.”
“Would it be too much to ask if I can hug you?” he questions softly.
“No,” my voice cracks on that one word. Getting to my feet, I make my way around the table and wrap my arms around James. I try my best not to cry, but I fail. James hugs me for a few moments before letting me go. When I take a step back and wipe at my eyes, I see my mom watching from the kitchen entrance. Her eyes are also wet, and her smile wobbly.
I give her one back, now that one of the many weights has been lifted off my shoulder.
Maybe now I can let myself enjoy the good things without expecting something bad to happen.Just enjoy being happy, Laney. You deserve it.
***
“Laney!” Winter’s high-pitched, excited voice can be heard from across the school parking lot.
Turning around, I smile wide, laughing when I see my best friend running towards me.
“Hey.” She wraps her arms around me, giving me the biggest hug.
“I missed you so much!” Winter groans.
“I missed you, too,” I laugh. “Like a crazy amount.” Winter is up to date on everything that’s been going on, but it’s nice to be able to talk to her in person versus texting and phone calls.
“What about me?” Justin pouts. “Where’s my excited greeting? It’s been weeks since I’ve seen you, Laney Girl. Did you forget about me already?”
“Oh. My bad.” I give him a mock gasp. “Oh, Justin. I’ve missed you so terribly. These few weeks without you have just been downright dreadful. Never leave me again, please!" I clutch my chest dramatically before schooling my face. “Better?”
Justin grins like an idiot, looking over at Logan. “Hear that, man?” Justin asks, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. “She can’t live without me.”
“She didn’t fucking say that,” Logan grumbles.
“Okay, maybe not, but she did say I can’t ever leave her again. You know what that means, right?” Justin shoves at Logan’s arm. Logan just glares back at him.
“That you need to get your arms off my fucking girl,” he growls, and god, watching him get so possessive over me is such a turn on.
“No.” Justin rolls his eyes. “It means we’re brother boyfriends now.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?” Logan’s scowl grows.
I’ve missed this so damn much. Seeing Justin pick on Logan and Logan giving in and getting all pissy. Ah, home sweet home.
“You know! Sharing the same girlfriend.”
“She’s not your fucking girlfriend,” Logan curses.
“I don’t know about that. She just confessed that being away from me is dreadful. I need to put the girl out of her misery and make her an honest woman, Logan.”
