“Maybe we were just meant to be.” The words come easily, like they’ve always been in the back of my mind. Hoping for a chance to be freed.
Aiden looks surprised, but then he lets out a disbelieving snort. “You’re such a fucking cheeseball!” He slaps me in the chest with a clipboard, eyes going gentle. “He needs that, someone willing to be a total sap for him.” His tone is teasing, but I hear the honesty in it.
I’ll be a total sap for Gabe. I’ll be whatever he needs.
Clients come in, Aiden coaches while I handle some admin, I’m trying to grow our social media reach. Somewhere betweenrestocking protein bars and checking the staff roster, he starts talking again. “Lucy’s got a new boyfriend,” he says. “Think that’s why she’s been missing so much lately.”
“Okay… I mean, that’s not really an excuse, though,” I respond carefully.
He blows out a heavy breath and rolls his shoulders. “Yeah, I know. If she wanted to be there for Rose, she would be.”
There’s a finality to the way he says it, like he’s accepting the fact that Lucy will never be an equal parent, and that cuts him up. When she first found out they were pregnant—they were shocked, yeah—but I could see how excited he was once it settled. I know he wasn’t in love with Lucy, but he hoped they’d stay together through it all, for Rose’s sake. He’s loyal, he would have made it work, even if that meant sacrificing a piece of his own happiness. They split before Rose was even born though.
“I can cover more shifts here if you need time off. Or me and Gabe could take Rose sometimes. You know how much we both love her.”
He raises an eyebrow. “You two wanna play daddies?”
“Oh, fuck off. You’re such a pest. Shit like this is why me and Gabe got together, bonded over dealing with you for so long!”
He lets out a booming laugh. “You love it. Both of you do. It’s actually great you’re together. Now I get to tease you, tease him, and you both together as a couple.” I can see the tension leaving him as he looks around the gym. His eyes track back to me. “But yeah, man, it would be great if you could take her now and then.”
“Anytime, man, you know I love all Shaws,” I tell him with a chuckle.
He claps me on the shoulder and squeezes firmly. “Damn straight! You’re one of us, an honorary Shaw. Play your cards right, and maybe you’ll be a real one someday.” He’s cackling when he says it, but the words send a bolt of excitement throughme, the possibility—that someday—Gabe could be my husband. I like that idea far too much.
“Wait,” Aiden says abruptly, drawing my attention back to him. “You loveallShaws? Love. Like,lovelove?”
I swallow, my throat suddenly gone dry. Jesus, I thought I’d be telling Gabe before I admitted it to his brother.
“Uh, yeah, man. I love him.”
More than anything.
He walks into my space, where I’m standing behind the counter. I tense, not knowing what he’s about to do, when a strong hand grabs the back of my neck, and he presses his forehead into mine. I close my eyes and welcome this for what it is: love and acceptance. From my family. My brother not by blood, but by choice.
When he pulls back, he looks surprisingly emotional. “That’s great, Noah,” he says gruffly, then clears his throat, and he smiles mischievously. “Two idiots in love.”
I shove him away, laughing. “Well, I haven’t told him yet, I’m not sure he’s there yet. So keep your mouth shut.”
“You’re a very loveable puppy, I’m sure he sees that,” he says, grinning.
I really hope that's true. Not the puppy part.
I scowl. “You’ve been demoted. Gabe’s my best friend.”
He just laughs, but the moment the words are out, I realize how true they are. Gabe’s the person I want to do everything with, tell every thought to, and spend every second of my time with.
Aiden’s stomach rumbling breaks through my thoughts. “Guess I need to find food. Might have some Goldfish crackers in my locker,” he mutters with an eye roll, clearly still not over that note from daycare.
“Save them for a rainy day. I’ll run out and grab us lunch, my treat. I need something decent today.”
I head down to Split Pea, ordering two high-protein power bowls with extra chicken. Thanks to the never-ending Oreos at the apartment—admittedly, usually bought by me—and Gabe always having a fridge full of homemade Italian food, I definitely haven’t been eating like I’m used to. I think back on Gabe’s reaction to the magnets last week—his eyes shining, that gorgeous smile, how he kissed me.
He’s so fucking sweet.
And now I’m smiling into thin air like a weirdo in the middle of a café. Great.
As I’m walking out, I spot Ciarán and Theo sitting outside with iced coffees. They’re chatting enthusiastically. Ciarán is wearing a sleeveless, cropped charcoal turtleneck, raw edges curling slightly at the hem, showing his toned stomach. His tailored trousers have a leather trim on the outer seams, a single thin chain running from belt loop to belt loop. His rings glint as he moves his hands animatedly. He looks like he belongs on a runway, not sitting in the middle of a small town drinking overpriced coffee.
