“That’s true,” Holden said quietly. “I know it might seem like I want to control you, Bailey, but I don’t. I justworry.”
“I’ll take good care of him,” Flynn said. “You’ve got my word on that. I understand why you might want more than an ex-con for your brother. He deserves the absolute best, but for some reason, he’s chosen me, and I’m not gonna let him go. If I lose my job over this, it’ll be worth it, and I think you know how much I want to keep working for you. But Bailey’s worth everything to me. I tried not to go there because he’s your baby brother and all, but how could I not fall for him? He’s smart, like you said, and just amazing in every way.”
That was probably the longest speech I’d ever heard Flynn make. Longer, even, than when he explained how he went to prison for manslaughter.
“Hell,” Holden said. “It’s hard to argue with that.” He shook his head. “I’m not going to fire you or come between you two if that’s what Bailey really wants. I’m not a total asshole.”
“Just half of one,” I snarked.
He barked a laugh. “Well, I wouldn’t be doing my job as a big brother otherwise, would I? Do I need to give Flynn the shovel speech?”
“I won’t hurt him.” Flynn locked eyes with me. “I love him too much for that.” More softly, just for me, he said, “I love you, Bailey.”
My heart thumped hard. “I love you, too.”
We stood, staring into each other’s eyes, until Holden expelled a loud breath. “Well, Jesus, don’t let me stop you from?—”
I threw my arms around Flynn’s shoulders and jumped. He caught my thighs and hitched me around his waist as I pulled his head down for a kiss.
Holden broke off speaking, muttering something under his breath, but I had more important things to focus on.
Flynn loved me. That was a fucking momentous occasion. Milestones like this had to be celebrated, right?
Flynn kissed me back, soft and sweet, even as his arms were like bars of iron under my weight. He supported me easily. I broke the kiss, pressing my forehead against his.
“You didn’t have to say it back,” he said quietly.
Surprise flitted through me. “Why wouldn’t I?”
“You’re young. I’m your first real boyfriend. You might want to get out there and meet other people. Younger people.”
“I don’t need to meet anyone else,” I said. “You’re it for me.”
“But—”
“Listen to my brother,” Holden said dryly. “Bailey knows his own mind.” A note of regret crept into his voice. “When he’s not being bullied by me, anyway.”
“You don’t bully me,” I protested.
Flynn set me down on the ground but kept me close. I turned, tucking into his side.
“I know how you hate getting my lectures, Bails. I know I’m too fucking bossy. I want to do better, I’m trying, but?—”
“You wouldn’t be you if you weren’t bossy,” I said. “I don’t care about that. Holden, I wasn’t afraid of disappointing you because you’d lecture me. I didn’t want to disappoint you because you’re so damn perfect at everything you do, and I know you wanted the same for me, but I’m just…not like you.”
“Are you kidding me?” Holden said, looking stunned. “Bailey, you’re the smartest one of us all. I just wanted to give you everything because I love you so damn much.”
My eyes started burning. “Fuck,” I muttered. “Don’t be nice right now.”
He chuckled. “Sorry, kid. I can’t help it. I’ll always be proud of you. No matter what.”
I sniffed. “Okay,Dad.”
He rolled his eyes. “That’s not the insult you think it is.”
“It’s not an insult at all,” I said, smiling.
“Damn, I wish I could hug you,” he muttered. “Today’s been stressful, and I don’t think it’ll go well.”
