“Hey, one thing. Can you stop by the training center sometime this weekend and check on the progress? The last of the equipment should have been installed today, but give them another day. I’d go, but we’re supposed to take Livie to the beach this weekend since training camp starts next week.”
I nodded. “Sure. We can do that. Maybe we’ll forgo a run to work out.”
GQ nodded and waved me off. “Go start your weekend.”
I wasn’t going to argue with that.
On my way home, I called Brent. He didn’t pick up the phone, so when I stopped at Safeway to grab some steaks and what I needed to make my homemade pasta sauce, I sent him a text.
Me: Getting groceries. I’ll be home soon. ETA?
When he didn’t respond, I pocketed my phone and headed into the store. Grabbing a cart, I made my way through the store, tossing in items I thought Brent would enjoy.
Twenty minutes later, I left with everything we needed for a luxurious weekend of seclusion in our condo. I didn't want to go anywhere or do anything outside the walls of our home. All I wanted was forty-eight uninterrupted hours to show him what life could be like. Lazy mornings in bed, sitting on the sofa watching baseball and pre-season football, kissing endlessly for hours.
When I got home, I walked up the stairs with my arms full of grocery bags. Before I could put them down, the door swung open to the most handsome man I’d ever seen. I knew the smile on my face was stupid, but that’s what he did to me.
Every. Fucking. Time.
“Hey, I was coming down to help you. Is that everything?”
I was struck dumb as he stood there bare-chested and wearing athletic shorts. Brent was relaxed and looked at me the way I looked at him. Like if he touched me, he wouldn’t be able to keep his hands to himself.
“Hey to you. This is it. I tried to call. Did you get my message?”
Brent nodded and took several bags out of my hand. “Just saw it. I was with Patrick and Phantom. Cole and Adam were having a jam session, so I stuck around for a bit.”
“How’s he doing?” I asked, unloading the bags onto the counter. “GQ wants me to train him as soon as he gets the all-clear from his doctors.”
Brent snorted and pulled out two beers from the refrigerator. He popped the tops and handed me one. “You won’t have to worry about him not being ready. Simon won’t release him until he’s fully recovered.”
I stopped and looked at him. “Simon Kincaid?”
He nodded and leaned back against the counter.“Yeah. He was the team doctor but works part-time as a private physician. When they got Parker, he pulled back because he wanted to be with Parker since his mom had just died.”
He tipped his beer back and drank half of it, but averted his eyes from me. “They love both of those kids so much.”
Brent looked up and smiled at me. “So what’s for dinner? Looks like you bought out the store.”
I put down the bag I was holding and walked over to him. Opening my arms, I pulled him in for a hug. He wrapped his around me and nestled his face into my neck. Holding him closer, we stood quietly, holding on to each other.
“You’re a good man,” I whispered into his hair. “No matter what anyone else thinks, who you are is enough. ”
Brent pulled back and looked at me. I cupped his cheek and kissed his forehead.
“I’m not enough for them. Never have been.”
“When you saythem, I’m assuming you’re talking about your parents.”
He sighed. “Yeah. Ever since Matt got sick, things have never been the same. I don’t blame them for giving all their attention to him. They were supposed to. I’ve just become invisible to them.”
Brent was still holding on to me as I looked into his eyes. “I know that hurts you, but you’re not the problem. No matterwhat, I’m here for you and you can tell me anything. I’ll always be on your side. But I’m curious. Did your family get grief counseling?”
I felt the tension in his body begin to relax in my arms.
“For a while. But it didn’t help in the long run. My parents became like pod people. I don’t recognize them anymore.”
I kissed his forehead and hugged him to me. “I want you to think about this. We cannot control how others think or how they feel. We can only control ourselves and how we process things. But here’s what you’re missing,“ I said, rubbing my hand over his back. “You share an unbreakable bond with your team. You can’t go to war and live and survive without having it. Most people will never experience this in their lifetime. Those men are your family by choice. They choose you, and that choice makes your connection stronger than biology. You’re enough for them, and enough for me. You always have been.”
