Page 101 of Yours, Now and Always
“Fair,” Maddie says.
I squeeze Gage’s hand. “But he’s still here.”
Callan looks at me. “Only because Hayden stepped in and wouldn’t let Gage touch Tim before the ceremony.”
Tim’s eyes widen. “I’m sorry, what?”
Ethan laughs. “Hayden told Gage he’d help him take care of you after the ceremony.”
“That’s surprisingly conditional,” Tim says.
“You got my wife stoned on her wedding day,” Gage says evenly. “Conditional survival seems generous.”
Marin raises her glass. “To Tim. Who somehow lived long enough to give a toast.”
Everyone drinks to that.
Tim’s shoulders slump. “This family is savage.”
“You’re family now too,” Bradford points out. “Welcome to it.”
I glance around at the wine glasses tipped back, laughter spilling over old stories and new friendships, the soft hum of happiness under it all. For a family that loves through chaos, this feels like peace.
Gage’s brothers are still roasting Tim.
Marin and Blair are talking about crystals, trying to get Edmund involved in their conversation. He looks as interested in the conversation as Blair does. And I’m pretty sure she’s pretending not to notice Hayden who is three feet away.
Kristen, Maddie, and Olivia are laughing at something Colin said.
Somehow, it all fits.
Because this is what family looks like—loud, wild, imperfect love.
I love that Bradford told Tim he’s family now, because it’s true.
The Blacks didn’t just let my family in.
They made space for us.
All of us.
CHAPTER 31
GAGE
Iget the bedroom door closed behind us and finally—finally—it’s just me and my wife.
Amelia kicks her heels off immediately, sending one careening into the wall with a soft thud. She pays no attention to that. Just sighs, and I can tell she’s been waiting all night to do that.
“Holy god,” she breathes. “My feet forgot what it feels like to be flat.”
I toss my jacket over the chair near the window and reach for my vest buttons. I’m distracted though, too busy watching Amelia pad across the room in bare feet, reaching back to feel for her zipper.
She glances over her shoulder at me and her eyes drag down my body with heat as I undo buttons. “You look indecent.”
I raise my brows. “I’m fully clothed.”
“Barely.” Her gaze lingers on my forearms, then the open collar of my shirt before she concentrates on her zipper again. “Can you help me with this? I can’t reach.”
