If someone had told me a month ago, when I was at my lowest, that I’d be here, with the man who’s had my heart all this time and feeling like I’d never left him, I would have called them a liar. But this is what I’ve been searching for, for way longer than I realized. Grayson is all I’ve ever needed. I just didn’t know it, but now that I do, I’m never letting him go. There’s just the tiny detail of my life back in Nashville and how we move forward when we’re both based in different states.
I look around the room, a lump forming in my throat, thick and unexpected. Gracie and Wyatt are shoving at each other to get the best piece of chicken, while Kade is hovering back and letting them go at it. Gray pulls Georgia into a side hug as he drops a kiss on her head. I’m so blessed to be here, surrounded by love and acceptance, from people who have every right in the world to cut me out.
I feel Grayson’s eyes on me, and when I meet his, his brows dip low, silently asking if I’m okay. Automatically, I stand, walking into his arms and snuggling into his chest. I breathe in the smell of fried chicken and something that is uniquely Grayson—warmth, soap, and him—and let it settle over me.
I’ve never been better.
And for the first time in a really long time, I can finally say that’s the truth.
26
GRAYSON
I’d say that today has been the best family dinner we’ve had in a long time. I can’t help but think that Avery spending the night has a lot to do with that. Kade and Gracie have long gone, clearing out before we got to work on cleaning the dishes. It’s always the same with them, never sticking around when the hard work begins, but as the babies of the family, I don’t think we’d have it any other way.
I follow behind Wyatt as he leads the way to the front door. Mom and Avery trail behind us, talking in hushed tones. Normally, I’d drive Mom to her house as it’s only about a mile from the main ranch house and technically still on our land. It’s a small guest cottage that several generations of parents have lived in when their children have started families of their own and have passed the main house onto them.
“When are you meeting with Mr. Evergreen?” Wyatt asks. I can tell he’s trying to play it cool. He knows full well that Mr. Hart is going to be at the meeting. I don’t blame him for not liking the man. He doesn’t show me any respect, despite the empire I’ve built, and it’s plain as day that Wyatt hates that family.
“Not until Friday. I’m meeting with Tanner on Wednesday to go over the game plan again, and then with Reed to run the numbers. You think you can carve some time out to join us?”
We come to a stop next to his truck, and he turns to look at me with his brows raised and a cheeky smirk on his face. “Well, I’ll be damned, Gray. You finally letting me in?”
Embarrassment and guilt rush through me, but I shake them off. Holding up my hands, I reply, “Don’t get too full of yourself, Wy. I can take the offer back, no problem.”
Pulling open his car door, Wyatt climbs in before shutting it and rolling down his window. “Yeah, yeah. I’ll be there, big brother.”
I tap the window opening, sincerity coating my words when I say, “I’m glad you will. I should have asked you sooner.”
He rolls his eyes, turning to throw some trash off his passenger seat as Avery opens the door for my mom. When he turns back to me, he winks. “Yeah, you should have. Now save that mushy shit for Ave.”
Wyatt starts the engine, a rock song blasting from the speakers as he closes the window. His past history would say that I shouldn’t give him so much responsibility because he can be a little hot-headed at times, but I know he’s working on doing better, and I’m not going to hold him back anymore.
Hooking my thumb into my jeans pocket, I watch as Avery helps my mom into the passenger seat before coming to stand beside me. I wrap my arm around her shoulders as we wave my mom and Wyatt off. We lose the headlights in the dark and dust, and when all that surrounds us is a peaceful Montana night, I steer Avery back toward the house. She stifles a yawn as we trudge up the front steps.
“Why don’t you go get ready for bed? I’ll switch off everything down here and be up in a minute.” I run my hand up her back as we come to a stop at the bottom of the stairs. “It’s the room at the end of the hall.”
She looks up at me, her eyes slightly glassy but heavy. “Okay, but don’t take too long.”
I watch the gentle sway of her hips as she walks up the stairs. I’ve never noticed it before, but the house feels too big without her in the room. This place has hardly ever been empty, not since Gracie moved out a few years ago. Even though Wyatt and Kade have their own places, they often stay over after a long day.
It’s only now that I realize that this house is too much for one man, and I need Avery here to really make it a home. The thought digs in before I can shake it. It’s unsettling in its truth, and the longer I let it sit, the more I want her. Want the chance to have her here for good. Of course I know that’s not going to happen, that she’ll be leaving soon, but I can’t help but want a future for us.
With a deep breath, I force myself to finish cleaning up, turning the lights off as I go, every second feeling too long. I want to make the most of the time that I have with Avery, to savor every second. When she’s gone, I can wallow on the what-ifs. For now, I’ll ignore the ache in my chest and live in the moment with her.
By the time I take the steps two at a time, my pulse is hammering so hard I feel it in my throat. I pause with my hand on the doorknob, trying and failing to curb my excitement at what I know is waiting for me on the other side.
When it feels like I have some semblance of control, I push the door open. The air gets lodged in my throat when I find Avery laid out on top of the comforter with an emerald silk nightgown on that brings out the green in her eyes.
Resting on her elbows, she nervously dips her chin before looking up at me from under her lashes. “Come to me, Gray.”
She doesn’t have to ask me twice. I rip my T-shirt over my head, throwing it on the floor. My eyes are locked on her, my body coming alive at the prospect of claiming her in my bed, in my house.
I rip my belt through the loops, the crack of it whipping the air barely penetrating the haze of arousal I’m in. My jeans are next, undone and shoved down my legs within a matter of seconds. I stumble, trying to get them off, but manage to stop my fall at the edge of the bed.
Avery giggles, like my burning need for her is amusing, and I imagine, if the tables were turned, I’d find it funny too. But right now, I’m barely holding on to my restraint. She sits up, holding her arms out to me as I climb onto the mattress.
I settle between her legs, my cock pressing into the soft warmth of her through the silk. She’s bathed in moonlight, a hint of darkness under her eyes. “I thought you were tired,” I whisper, like saying it any louder might stop this.
