All we’reevergoing to be. That’s what stuck with me the most.
Alec was right. We’ve neverjustbeen friends. We’ve always been more.
“Alec,” I murmur softly.
I look in the rearview mirror and see him shake his head. Fuck.
“Baby, please,” I whisper.
Rory pretends to not listen, giving us the illusion of privacy as Luc ‘sleeps.’
Seconds tick by before Alec’s eyes finally meet mine.
“Don’t do this, Dom,” Alec whispers. “I can’t deal with–” he abruptly stops but struggles to tear his eyes from mine.
“I’m sorry, Alec,” I breathe. “I know I didn’t say it before butI’m sorry.You were right—you’re always right. We’ve always been more than friends.”
Alec whispers my name, silently begging me to stop but Ican’t.
“I wanted to protect our friendship but in doing so, I lost you anyway. Because I was a coward. Luc was right, it’s justbullshit.God, I could have lost you in the accident.” I shake myhead. “IknowI hurt you and I fucking hate myself for doing that to you but I can’t be without you, Alec.”
The second I glance back into the rearview mirror and see tears, I wish I wasn’t driving so I could pull him into my arms.
“How do I know you mean it, Dom?” Alec asks, tiredly.
“I’ve never lied to you, baby,” I tell him softly.
Alec’s quiet again. Accepting that he probably needs time to process this—Alec never makes a snap decision—I let him retreat back into himself.
I just hope he comes back to me.
An hour ticks by before Luc wakes up, asking if we’re there yet and the three of us shout at him to stop.
Rory and I burst out laughing. A faint smile ghosts Alec’s lips before it’s gone.
The whole drive I watch my rearview mirror to check we don’t get followed. As we get closer, I notice Luc doing the same.
We go through the small town that’s now our home and up the long ass driveway to the house.
Rory sits up when she sees the house, an excited smile brightening her sleepy eyes.
The exterior is a soft grey with white lining and a light coloured roof. The wrap around porch was my input on the landscaping and the guys were quick to agree.
Rory’s lips part as she stares up at the house as we get closer.
I reach over and grab her hand. “Welcome home, Sweetheart,” I tell her softly.
Tears fill her eyes and her grip on my hand tightens. Alec leans forward and places his hand on her shoulder.
Luc starts bouncing around in the backseat. “Come on,” he whines. “I want to show her around!”
Rory laughs softly and releases my hand when we park.
The construction guys must not have finished up yet because there’s a few utes here.
I shake my head at the red RAM down the end. I told them not to come.
Luc bounds out of the car like a puppy who’s been locked up too long.
