Despite their grogginess, both Tommy and Jackson perk up at the mention of video games.
“For real?” Tommy asks, suddenly more awake.
Dread nods. “Up the stairs, first door on the left.”
The boys take off, their energy seemingly restored by the promise of getting their game on.
“We need to talk.”
I follow Dread into his kitchen. It’s gorgeous—with navy cabinets, white countertops, and high-end appliances. Everything about it is a chef’s dream.
He opens the refrigerator and pulls out two beers. When he holds one up in silent offering, I nod. “Yeah.”
He twists off the cap and hands it to me before opening his own.
I take a long sip, letting the cold liquid soothe my nerves. Then I move closer to him and grab a fistful of his shirt in my hands.
“I’m so sorry,” I whisper, looking up into his green eyes. “What I said earlier—it wasn’t your fault. None of it was your fault.”
Tears start falling again, but these are different—tears of relief, of gratitude, of fear he’ll tell me to go to hell after the things I said to him. “I know it’s crazy. It’s only been a couple of days, but I’m in love with you, Caleb Reeves.”
His brows go up, and he slips a strong arm around my waist, pulling me flush against him. Eyes searching mine, he dips his head until his forehead rests against mine. “I love you too, baby. I don’t care that it’s fucking crazy and makes no sense. I knew the second I saw you that there was something special about you.”
My heart soars at his words. He loves me too.
His lips find mine in a gentle kiss that quickly turns into more, both of us pouring all our emotions into each other.
When we finally break apart, I ask the question that’s been burning in my mind. “What happened with Eddie? How did you find the boys?”
Dread’s expression darkens. “Eddie took them from the tree farm. I found them, and I made it clear that he won’t bother you or the boys ever again.”
“You can’t be sure of that,” I argue. “Eddie’s not the type to just back down.”
“You’re going to have to trust me on this,” he says, his eyes begging me to believe him.
I search his face, seeing the conviction in his eyes. “I do trust you.”
And I mean it. Despite everything, despite only knowing him for such a short time, I trust this man with my life—with my children’s lives.
He kisses me again, deeper this time, his hands tangling in my hair. When he pulls back, his eyes are serious. “You and the boys are moving in with me.”
I laugh, thinking he’s joking. “What?”
“I’m serious,” he says, his expression leaving no room for doubt. “That rental is a shithole, and I’ve got plenty of space here. Four bedrooms. The boys can each have their own room.”
“But we’ve only known each other for two days,” I protest weakly.
“And?”
I bite my lip, considering. The rental is awful, and I was already worried about how I’d afford repairs if something broke. Then there’s the fact I love this man, and he loves me.
What the hell.
I’ve never been happier than I’ve been since he came into my life.
“Okay,” I say softly.
His eyebrows shoot up. “Yeah?”
