What the actual fuck?
I open my mouth to ask, but my stomach revolts the final time, and I dry heave all over my best friend’s boots.
Oops.
Jamie
“You know, you’re really good with her.” Finn sits opposite me, where I’m lying with Kyrie asleep on my chest. I know I should have put her to bed an hour ago, but Ashton fell asleep before dinner, and I didn’t want to risk waking her if Kyrie cried when I put her down. It’s safe to say it’s been one hell of a day.
“Kyrie or Ashton?” I ask my brother, still more than a little frustrated from the showdown in the kitchen earlier today.
“Both, I guess.” He leans forward, his elbows on his knees and stares at the sleeping princess. “I need you to tell me this isn’t some fling you’re going to get tired of, Jamie. And before you say anything, remember I’m coming at this from a place of wanting to protect that woman upstairs. Even if it’s from you.”
“She doesn’t need you to protect her anymore. She’s got me,” I clap back, feeling possessive as hell. “And no. It’s not a fling. Fuck, Finn. How big of an asshole do you think I am?”
“Brother, I’ve never seen you with the same girl twice. What the hell am I supposed to think?” he challenges.
“You really don’t get it, do you?” Kyrie stirs, and Finn’s face drops. “That’s because it was always going to be her. I always knew it would be Ashton and me in the end. I’m not going to get tired of her or Kyrie or my kid, brother. I’m not going to hurt her. Never her. Not again. Can you say the same?”
He lifts his face but stays silent.
“You matter to her, little brother. That’s not going to change because we’re together,” I promise him, calmer now than earlier, seeing more clearly now too. “She might be your best friend, but she’s my fucking world.”
“You’re really going to marry her, aren’t you?” And damn, I like the sound of that.
“Yeah, man. I am.” My woman. My babies. My family.
“When?” the shit pushes harder.
“As soon as she says yes,” I groan, knowing we’ve got a few more hoops to jump through before she’s ready for that.
But I’m a patient man.
For her... For our family, I can wait.
JAMIE
Be her peace. Be her home.
Don’t be another war she has to survive.
—Advice from Aiden Murphy to Jamie
Once I get Kyrie down for the night, I knock on Ashton’s door and slowly crack it open. “Ashton...”
“Hey,” she smiles, pushing up to sit, sleep-rumpled and so damn pretty. “What time is it?”
“A little after nine,” I tell her as I cross the room and squat next to the bed. I tuck her hair behind her ear and drag my finger over the delicate line of her face. “How are you feeling, beautiful?”
“Like I’ve been run over by a truck. My head is killing me.” She turns her face and presses her lips to my palm. “And maybe like I need a bath.”
“Oh yeah?” I hold her face in my hand, wondering exactly when I fell in love with this woman. Was it last week or lastmonth or the first time she showed up at one of our football practices in her ballet skirt?
“Yeah, charmer...” Her gold-flecked eyes twinkle mischievously. “Think you can help me with that?”
“Pretty sure I can help with that, baby.” I press my lips to her forehead and lift her in my arms, loving her smile as she rests her head against my shoulder. I carry her into her bathroom and carefully sit her on the vanity, suddenly very grateful for the extra-large tubs I had installed when I built this house.
“How hot do you like the water?”
