“And then we can see one another at the wedding. Helena can’t wait to meet you.”
“That’s a boner killer.”
Dean swatted my chest playfully. “Stop. She’s engaged now. You have nothing to worry about.”
“Why do I feel like Helena just wants to make sure I’m not going to break your heart?” I raised my brows.
He made a zipping motion over his mouth. “You won’t know until you meet her, will you?”
Then he squealed with laughter when I grabbed him and flung him over my shoulder. I carried Dean into the bedroom, where I carefully tossed him onto the bed, where he stared up at me with wide green eyes. Then I climbed up to blanket his body with my own.
“You won’t forget about me, will you, Pink?” I murmured as I pressed hot, wet kisses against his jawline. “Find someone else you might like better? Someone younger?”
Dean grabbed my head to force me to look at him. “Stop saying shit like. I don’t want anyone else, Beau. I want you.” He kissed me hard on the mouth. “Only you. I won’t forget about you.”
“And I won’t forget about you,” I promised.
He smiled. “You better not, or I’ll sic Maverick on you.”
“Now that’s someone I don’t want to piss off.” I dropped onto the bed next to him.
Dean twisted onto his side to face me. “You won’t, though, right? Forget about me or ghost me? Because I can’t go through that again, Beau. If you don’t want to be with me or if you change your mind, you just have to say so. I’ll understand. I’m a big boy. I need you to treat me like an adult.”
“I know, and I’m sorry about that. I shouldn’t have done that to you. It was wrong.” I reached over to tuck a piece of stray hair that had fallen out of his ponytail behind his ear.
Dean slid closer to me and wrapped his arms around my waist, pressing his face into my chest. “I thought we would have more time together. I hate that I have to leave again. This whole rockstar thing is getting a little old.”
Now was my chance. I could suggest Dean move in with Cole and me, but somehow the timing didn’t seem right.
“I’ll miss you,” I said instead, my hands combing through his ponytail.
“I’ll miss you, too,” Dean whispered as he started to fall asleep.
I’d ask before he left. There was plenty of time.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Dean
The city of Boston knew how to throw a parade. It felt like the entire population had turned out to celebrate the Terriers’ Stanley Cup win. I wasn’t sure I had ever seen so many drunk people before in my life. Not even at one of our concerts. But people seemed to be really enjoying themselves, laughing, cheering, and screaming for their favorite team. Maverick and I had stayed hidden by the Garden Arena, where the crowds wouldn’t see us. Where we could enjoy the celebration without worrying about anyone realizing who we were.
Maverick hadn’t stopped smiling. I couldn’t remember the last time I had seen my brother so happy. The glow on his cheeks. The sparkle in his eyes. It felt like Mav had finally found himself, and that was all because of Jackson. He was wearing a Terriers baseball cap on his head, the bill pulled down to cover his face, as he clapped his hands along to the crowd, laughing and shouting along with everyone.
“What?” He nudged my arm. “Why are you staring at me like that? Are you not having a good time?”
I was. I was having the best time, and I hated that I had to leave tomorrow to go back to California. I shook my head. “I’m having a great time,” I assured him.
“But?” Maverick’s brows shot up. “Come with me.” He grabbed my arm so we could move into the arena, where it wasn’t so loud. “Are you having second thoughts about Beau? I thought the two of you were getting along.”
I chewed on my bottom lip. “I don’t want to go home.”
“Oh.” Maverick’s mouth formed a little circle. “Does Beau know this?” He pushed the hat back on his forehead. “God, I hate wearing these. I don’t know how other guys do it.” He finally yanked it off his head and dragged his fingers through his white hair before he spoke again. “You could stay, you know. Our couch is always open, or you could get your own place. Maybe something will open up where we live. We could be neighbors.”
Fuck, I had missed this version of my brother. The one that loved me and wanted to protect me. “That would be great. I’d love that.” My thoughts went to the house Maverick had in California. The one I had been to once before he slammed the door in my face. “What about your place back in LA?”
“I found someone to buy it. Had a lot of my stuff put in storage because I honestly don’t want or need it right now.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Dean, I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my entire life. The only thing I care about from that house are some pictures, my drums, and the Grammy’s we won. Fuck everything else.”
I reached out to wrap my arms around him. “I love you, Mav. I hope you know that.”
