It’s because you’re growing his baby, a little voice says.
But it feels like more than that.
It might be stupid and naive to think that when Everett has only ever shown the world that he’s a fuckboy who’s only ever committed to hockey, but…things change, right?
His best friend used to be the same, and now he’s getting married.
Or he’s just really good at faking it…
“What?” he asks. Forcing my eyes up. I find him looking between me and the mug in my hands. “Did I buy the wrong stuff?” he asks, concerned.
“What? No, this is perfect. Everything is perfect. You’re…” His expression tightens.Perfect.“Great.”
His shoulders relax a little, but there’s still so much tension there.
“I want to do everything I can to make all this easier for you. But I also don’t want to overstep.”
“I asked you,” I remind him.
“Yeah, I know.”
“If I wasn’t sure, I’d have kept my mouth shut,” I explain before taking the jump, hoping he’s going to hold my hand and come with me. “If you’re willing to do this, then so am I. We fix your reputation, secure your place here so you can be in our baby’s life, and in turn, I’m able to claim my inheritance, clear my debts, and get a better place.”
His jaw tics at the mention of my apartment. “You can stay here.”
I shake my head. “I can’t do that.”
“If we’re engaged, it would be weird if you didn’t.”
My mouth opens to argue, but I can’t deny that he has a point.
“B-but this is your home.”
“It’s my apartment. I’m not sure it’s really home yet. I still have some of my shit in boxes just in case,” he confesses.
I study him, my chest tight. I hate that he’s always waiting for the other shoe to drop. He truly believes he isn’t good enough to be kept around. But he is. Sure, he was a bit of an asshole the night we met. But underneath that act, I’m learning that he’s one of the most caring and thoughtful people I’ve ever met.
“If we’re doing this, we’re going to make this place your home.”
“If? I thought you said?—”
“I’m in if you are,” I assure him.
He sinks back into the couch, his eyes on mine.
“I’m in.”
I release a huge breath as some of the financial burden I’ve been living with recently lifts from my shoulders.
As he continues to watch me, something warm wraps around me, and for the first time in quite a long time, I feel safe. And I don’t just mean financially; I mean physically. No matter what happens in the time that we’re “together,” I have no doubt that Everett will protect me.
I nod, my smile growing once more. “So, we’re doing this?”
“We are. Although this probably goes without saying—I’ve never been anyone's boyfriend before, let alone someone’s fiancé. I have literally no idea what I’m meant to be doing.”
“You’re already doing it,” I tell him, lifting my mug before taking a sip.
Oh yeah, that’s what I’m talking about.
