Page 12 of Titus (Big Hot Alphas 2)

“What? This is the house I grew up in.”

“That doesn’t mean I have to let you help me dry the dishes.”

I shake my head in defeat. I grab another beer out of the refrigerator, twist off the cap, and take a swig as I lean against the counter.

“It’s really good to see you guys,” I say.

She smiles over at me as she runs a towel over a dish. “It’s great to see you too, honey. And it’s great to hear that everything’s going so well for you.”

I nod. Set the beer down on the counter. Clear my throat.

“Do you still have that family ring, Ma?”

She sets the dish in an upper cabinet and looks over at me with surprise. “Grandma’s engagement ring?”

“Yeah.”

“Are you telling me you already feel that way about Madison?”

I nod.

“Oh, honey…” She tears up as she steps closer and reaches out to touch my arm. “I always dreamed of this moment. Yes. Of course I have it. Hold on. Let me go find it.”

She hurries upstairs and I hear the sounds of her walking around on the second floor and opening and closing drawers. When she comes back down, I push back my shoulders and straighten up, the moment suddenly feeling very real.

My mom giddily hands over the vintage ring box. I carefully open it up and take in the sight of the ring inside.

The band is set with a stunning ruby surrounded by tiny sparkling diamonds.

It’s perfect.

Without any cargoin the trailer, it feels like I’m flying down the highway. Every mile that passes beneath my tires is one less mile separating me from my girl.

And it feels like I’m going home.

It takes close to three days to make it back to her. It’s early afternoon when I arrive in the town where Madison lives. I park the rig out of the way, quickly shower, then change into the nicest clothes I own. On my way to the café, I stop by a floral shop and pick up a bouquet of flowers, buying the biggest damn one I can find.

My heartbeat is going crazy as I walk up to the café. I can see my girl through the front window, and I keep my focus on her as I open up the door. She’s such a vision of beauty. No one will ever compare to her. Not in the slightest.

Madison looks up when I walk in, a smile still on her face.

But when she sees me, she blanches.

My stomach drops. Fuck.

“What are you doing here, Titus?” she says.

Chapter Five

Madison

Why, oh why, did he have to come back?

The only reason I’ve been able to deal with my predicament is because I’d accepted the fact that I was never going to see Titus again.

But now he’s back.

And by the looks of things, he didn’t come back to the café just to get another burger.

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