CHAPTER ONE
Amber
Iinsert thekey into the lock and open the door to my new home, a simple one-story ranch that represents a whole new life in a brand-new state.
“Surprise!”
I jerk back, startled, as I realize the most important people in my life are here to greet me.
“Uncle Landon!” My ten-year-old son, L.J., dashes past me and runs into his uncle’s arms. Landon’s twin, Levi, who passed away before I knew I was pregnant, was L.J.’s father.
Standing beside Landon are Tanner Grayson and Jason Dare, my son’s other godparents, the men who made it possible for me to purchase this house with their generosity. When I look at these three men, who I’ve known for the last ten years, I see three handsome, accomplished guys who worked hard to get where they are in life. Who overcame pain and hardship and stuck together through it all, including me in their long-term, deep friendship. They are like brothers to me and uncles to my son. With their brown hair in varying shades and muscular forms, at a glance they could be brothers, although on inspection, each has their own distinctive look. They only recently found their own happily ever afters, and I am so thrilled for them all.
“Welcome home,” Jason says, pulling me into a hug, then passing me to Tanner and then to Landon, who still has his arm around his nephew.
“Can I go check out the rest of the house?” L.J. asks.
I nod, looking around the still-empty space. The movers will be here later this afternoon. “Go for it.”
He dashes off, the echo of his footsteps and shrieks of excitement bouncing off the walls and making me smile.
“What are you guys doing here? You’re supposed to be in Manhattan.” And in a little while, Landon’s parents, L.J.’s grandparents, are due to arrive and take him to the city for his summer adventure, leaving me ready to start one of my own.
“We decided to surprise you. Help you unpack and move in,” Landon says with a grin. He’s always been easygoing, even after the tragedy that befell all of us.
They never fail to do right by me, and I smile. “You didn’t have to drop everything for me. You already helped enough, lending me the money to buy this place.” Something I feel guilty about already.
“Givingyou the money,” they all say at the same time.
I shoot them a glare. They all know how important it is for me to be independent just like I understand why they feel obligated to help me. Not just because Levi was Landon’s twin but because all three men were there the night he died in a tragic college hazing incident when the guys were freshmen, and I was a sophomore, and they feel guilty for not being able to prevent his death.
I discovered I was pregnant while I was grieving, but the guys were always there for me. As have Landon’s mom and dad, Carrie and Samuel Bennett, as well as my own parents, Lydia and John, in Florida. When I quit college, packed up, and moved home, they stepped in to help me raise my son.
“Mom, look at the size of my room!” L.J. calls to me.
Laughing, I shoot the guys a warning look and head toward the hallway leading to the two bedrooms in the house, hearing their footsteps behind me.
“Do you like it?” I ask from the doorway of the room across from my own.
“It’s going to be cool. You said we could paint it blue, right?”
“Light blue,” I remind him. I don’t want a dark-looking tomb for my son’s bedroom.
“Can I get a Spiderman Fathead?” he asks of the life-size removable wall decal he’s been asking for… for what feels like forever.
“Of course—oomph.”
I shove my elbow into Tanner’s side as he answers without asking me.
I’ve been saving to buy it and have already decided the superhero will be on L.J.’s wall when he returns from his trip in a few weeks.
“We’ll see,” I say, ruffling his hair. I want the gift to be a surprise.
“Stop spoiling him,” I mutter under my breath to the guys.
Just because they own a hugely successful nightclub in Manhattan and can afford whatever they want doesn’t mean I will take advantage. I already feel guilty for how much they are doing for me now, paying for this house and my classes. But I desire to make a better, more secure life for L.J., and borrowing money allows me to get my degree in education and hopefully a minor in business.
I’ve already been taking classes part-time at home in Florida, and I need the ability to complete my studies more quickly and obtain a job that gives me summers off for my son. The guys have offered their financial help for a while. I’ve just been too proud, reluctant, and scared to accept.
