“I’ll go next,” Rudy says. “I’m glad Goose is back in my life.” He chokes up instantly, and I reach underneath the table and cover Erin’s hand with mine.
“Hayes was the only one who knew about you,” Rudy begins, taking shallow breaths, as if the truth is too heavy to carry. “He told me I should try to find you, but I was scared. Scared that if I found you, and you were no better off, it would destroy me. And then suddenly you were here.” Rudy sniffles. “Goose, you’ve always been the light in my life, even when you weren’t around, and I’m so glad you’re back.”
Erin’s head bobs, communicating with her brother through silence. A mixture of relief and protectiveness washes over me. I silently vow to shield her from more trauma, even though I know I can’t control everything.
Oliver goes next. His words are raw and vulnerable, a side of him we don’t always see. “For a long time, everything I did was for Au—” He stops, and I sigh because for as long as I’ve known him—apart from one drunken night a few years ago when he thought he saw his first and only love in a crowded bar—he’s never been able to say her name. I remember the pictures he showed us that night and how in love they looked. Hayes is the only one who knows what went wrong.
With a quick shake of his head, the mask locks back into place. “I’m glad to be part of this team. This family shows me I’m enough. I choose to call you my brothers, but I wouldn’t mind a sister-in-law,” he says with a playful wink to Erin.
Oliver nudges me. “Take it away, Pretty Boy.”
I glance at Erin. Her eyelids bat slowly as she waits.
“After the accident, I never thought I’d be okay again. Then you happened.” I reach for her hand, holding it tight. Her fingers tremble, and it sends a jolt through me. “You are everything I never knew I needed. I’m glad for you every day.”
She keeps hold of my hand, her faith in my truths clear.
“These past few months have been rough,” I continue. “But we’ve survived. We’ll keep pushing forward—together. You’re my family, Erin.” I swipe the water that sneakily falls down her cheeks. “I love you, baby, so much.”
“Can I go next?” Her question is almost swallowed by the quiet, but then her confessions fill the space between us.
“I’ve kept secrets my whole life because I was afraid to talk and come forward. I’ve witnessed everything that’s come from staying silent, and some days, it makes me want to disappear.” She turns to face me, and I stare back at her, holding my breath. “I don’t think that guilt will ever go away,” she says, not looking away. “I promised you I wouldn’t run, and although I’m still here, I don’t think I’ve been living up to that promise.”
I take her hand and kiss her knuckles.
She lets out a shaky breath and continues.
“I don’t know how I got so lucky, but I’m glad I ran into you at the bar. I’d really like to keep you—all of you,” she says, looking around the table to make her point known. Everyone looks at her with pride, and then her eyes search mine. “I’m terrified of what’s coming, but I’m here with you. I’m not going anywhere.”
A protective fire surges through me as I lean in close to her, the distance too much.
Roman groans dramatically, severing the moment. “If you’re gonna kiss, can you, like, not do it in the kitchen?”
Erin laughs, tugging me into a different room for a moment of privacy. Once we’re alone, I press my lips to hers. It’s a kiss that tastes like sweet relief.
“That was a really nice speech,” I say, grinning.
“I meant it. I’m really trying, and on the days where it looks as though I’m not, I’ll try harder.”
“You don’t need to do anything, sweetheart. I know how hard this is for you. You just have to keep talking to me. Okay?”
“Griff said he and the guys staged an intervention.” Her eyes bounce between mine. “Did you tell them about the investigation?”
“Yeah. Brax and I told them a couple days ago. They were worried about you. You’re one of us, Erin. You’re family to them as much as you are to me. They see you’re hurting, and they want to be there for you. For us.”
“I’m afraid this is going to get a lot worse. I know you’ll stay through it all, but I’m scared you might not want to. That your promise to be here will only make you resent me and not?—”
“Listen to me,” I say, placing my hands on her face to stop her because I know where she’s about to go next and there is no fucking way I’deverlet her think I don’t want her—not in this lifetime or the next.
“I willalwayswant you. That will never change. This thing with Elliot? Yes, it’s messier than we realized, and there’s still so much we don’t know. And you’re right, it probably will get worse. But as long as we’re together, we’ll be alright. And if we’re ever not, we don’t have to pretend to be. Not with each other.”
“You are one of a kind,” she murmurs.
“And I’m all yours.”
Erin hugsRoman after she helps him with his coat. He’s full of energy and sugar, even though it’s late. I have no doubt he’llconk out in the car, despite him insisting he’ll stay up all night on Santa patrol.
“We’re here for you, Erin,” Hayes says, wrapping his arms around her.
