“She chooses,” I speak up for Beau. “We’ll swing by sometime later today and fill out a restraining order against her. I want to make sure she’s banned from Beau’s house and place of business.”
“You got it,” Adam says as he handcuffs Robin.
“I cannot believe this shit! I’m the injured party here!”
I tune her out and look at Dad and Skull, then shake my head at Spider and Pez who are standing beside me. “You guys staying for breakfast?”
“I’m sure as hell not going to miss Beau’s French toast. That woman can outcook your mom and if you tell her I said that that, I’ll gut you like a fish—son or no son,” Dad growls, making me laugh.
“It will be our secret. Although if Skull tells Aunt Beth?—”
“He wouldn’t dare because he knows Beau can outcook Bethie, too,” Dad explains.
“Mi cielo has many wonderful skills and attributes. Cooking is hit or miss,” Skull murmurs.
“But you eat it all,” Torch laughs. “Even when she made that minute rice and pork casserole. God, I thought we were all going to end up in the hospital with food poisoning.”
“It wasn’t that bad,” Spider grouses, obviously trying to take up for his mother.
“Says the man who stayed in the bathroom all night worshipping the porcelain gods,” Skull laughs at his son.
“Shut it, old man,” Spider chuckles. Do you remember Diego’s face after he took his first bite of the pork?”
The air shifts around us and gets harsh. I don’t think any of us dare a breath. The look on Skull’s face reflects pure agony, before he pushes it away. Then, my breath stalls as the man smiles. He lets out a chuckle and it doesn’t sound forced. “He and Gabby both managed to eat one whole serving. Then, they swore it was the best thing they’d ever eaten in their lives. Beth was so happy she fixed it for them for their birthday for three years before they both developed a weird pork allergy,” he explains, this chuckle moving into a full-blown laugh.
“Wait. I’ve had Beth’s cowboy cookies, they’re awesome,” Pez grumbles.
“Some things she makes awesome,” Skull concedes.
“But stay away from her casseroles,” I tell him slapping him on the back, as we walk back inside.
The men continue to talk, but I don’t. My breath stalls in my chest. I see my son, Slider, and Beau at her island laughing and dumping ingredients in a bowl.
“You okay, son?” Torch asks.
“Everything I want is right in front of me, Dad. I’m just not sure I’ll be able to hold onto it.”
His gaze moves from me to Beau and the kids. Skull, Pez and Spider join them and Beau’s laughter echoes in the room. The sound hits me right in the gut. I close my eyes at the joy and hunger that slams through me. I want her with me for the rest of my life.
The. Rest. Of. My. Life.
I knew it before. I knew it down in my soul. Yet, after this morning’s mess with Robin, I crave it. The thought of being without her makes me panic. Since the birth of my son, I’ve lived my life closed off to anything and everyone except my son and family. I’ve been half a man—completely damaged. That’s why it was so easy to push Beau away that first morning with her. I wanted her even then but couldn’t open myself up to her. When you spend as much time as I have alone, it’s fucking painful to let someone in.
But fuck if Beau isn’t there in a way that I know she always will be.
“Be the man I know you are, son. Make sure Beau knows you’re in this for the long haul and that you will always have her back. Trust me, she needs that more than you understand right now—probably more than she realizes herself.”
I nod, thinking Dad makes it sound simple. I can’t help but think that it can’t be. After all, nothing has ever been simple in my life. I doubt it’s going to start now.
Chapter 18
Beau
I’m freakinglight-headed by the time I make it into my bedroom. Hunter’s shirt falls far enough on me that it could be a dress. Still, I’ll feel better dressed. I would have preferred it before now, but Ty seemed to want me with him, so I stayed. I didn’t want to rock the boat. The poor kid had been through enough this morning and honestly, I wanted to watch over him. That sounds silly, because it’s not my place, but he needed a gentle touch. I needed to give him that. I can’t explain why, I just knew I did. I close my eyes, trying to ignore the bed where Hunter and I spent the morning before life interrupted us.
God, my brain is a mess.
I walk to my bathroom, locking the door behind me. I need a shower and clean clothes before I head back out there. The guys are still eating so hopefully I’ll have some quiet time to get my head together before having to face anyone again.At least that’s my plan.
