All I have to do is be brave enough to put my heart out there. And even if Garrett doesn’t feel the same, I know he’d never dropme cold. He’d find a way to let me down easy. He’d never want to hurt me.
And that thought right there is why I’m going to change up our lives in a way neither of us can come back from.
16
GARRETT
Being stuck at Boyd’s when I’d rather be sitting on my couch with Lexi is annoying as fuck. But with Carter attending some fancy ball with Livi, a ball I know Lexi would normally be at, Devon and I are here making sure the new brewing tank is properly fitted.
It should have been done hours ago. Unfortunately, a late delivery meant the guys connecting everything had to wait, and rather than stand around doing nothing, they took off for another job only getting back to start this one after five. Long past time for Carter to be getting ready.
If I’m honest, it’s not this situation that has me frustrated. I want to be able to tell my brothers I’ve met the woman I’m going to spend my life with, but Lexi and I aren’t on the same page yet, and we still haven’t told anyone we’re dating. Or together. Whatever.
You can’t really call what we do dating. We’ve never left my house. All our time is spent behind a closed door, and I know I promised myself I wouldn’t push her, that I’d be patient and wait for her to catch up, except the longer we’re together, the more I think we’ll never move past the hooking up stage.
Scrubbing a hand over my face, I let out a sigh.
“Hey!” Devon bumps his shoulder into mine. “You okay?”
“Yes.”
“You know that would be more convincing if I couldn’t see the look on your face when you said it.”
Blowing out a breath, I debate what to tell him. “I’m seeing someone. She’s important.”
“Okay.” He waits for me to go on.
It takes a few minutes of staring at the guys connecting the last of the piping for me to find the right words. “I’m in love with her. But I don’t think she’s in love with me.”
“Why not?”
“For one, we’re a secret. We’ve never been together outside my place.”
“Oh.” Devon contemplates what I’ve said before offering advice, but as usual, when he does, it’s gold. “So, ask her out.”
“I—” I suck in a breath.
Fucking hell. I’ve never actually asked her out. What if she thinks I don’t want to be seen with her? It couldn’t be further from the truth, except have I ever made that clear?
“Fuck!” Dragging my fingers through my hair, I tug on the ends.
Devon claps me on the back. “Get out of here. I’ve got this. They’re almost done and I was planning on hanging around downstairs until closing anyway.”
A glance at my watch shows it’s just shy of nine. There’s still time to convince Lexi to come over or I could do something I’ve never done before. Time to man up and go after what I want. And if she’s not ready for going public, I’ll have to decide if she ever will be.
“Okay. Thanks. Buzz if there’s any?—”
“Go,” Devon says with a chuckle. “I’m a big boy, I’m sure I can handle anything that might come up.”
Grinning, I give him a quick hug and back slap before jogging toward the stairs. As excited as I am for the new direction we’re taking with Boyd’s, I’m happy to head out and find the other thing in my life that makes me excited.
I’m pushing through the back door of the bar when my phone buzzes in my pocket. Waiting until I’m in my car, I tap the screen and see a text notification from Carter in our group chat.
Carter
We’re getting married!
A second notification pops up.
