I feel the emotions thick in my chest. The feelings coming to the surface I’ve been fighting for so long. Knowing she stayed, and saying it out loud is two different things.
It’s acknowledging everything at once.
She fucking stayed.
Dallas whistles low. “Well, look at you. Emotionally vulnerable.”
I smile at the teasing—again, exactly what I need. “Don’t start.”
“That’s a big deal, Tucker,” Griffin says, and when I turn to face him, his mouth is curved into a faint grin.
The bell over the entrance chimes, and Griffin groans.
But for the first time, I don’t laugh. He notices. Of course he does.
Dallas elbows me. “You want to tell him? Or are we going to keep pretending you keep it up because you like pissing him off?”
“But I do like pissing him off.”
Dallas laughs. “Oh, we know.”
But when my gaze lands on Griffin, his face is hard, concerning.
“It’s notjustto piss you off,” I say, trying like hell to keep theteasing tone. “I…uh…I like to keep track of how many people come in and out. I like to know that if there was ever an emergency here…”Like a fire. “Then I know how many people I need to get out.”
Something like understanding morphs in Griffin’s features.
But he doesn’t say anything.
Instead, he drops the dish rag and walks away, right into the kitchen.
I run a hand through my hair, worried I said too much. Maybe I should have kept it to myself like everything else. He doesn’t need to carry this the way I’ve always carried it. He doesn’t need to think about what’s going through my head every time he hears the chime of the bell now.
Dammit.
“Don’t stress about him, Tucker,” Dallas says next to me, hooking an arm around my neck and pulling me into him. “He just needs a breather. You know we got you.”
“Are you hugging me? Is Dallas Westbrook really hugging me?”
He barks out a laugh. “There’s my weird friend.” He releases me from his hold, clapping a hand on my back. “For what it’s worth, you know I’m always here for you. You know if you need anything, I’ll drop whatever to be there in a heartbeat. We’re family now.”
I purse my lips. “Are you going to marry my cousin? Say yes.” I throw up prayer hands.
He rolls his eyes. “Here I am trying to be a good friend.”
I turn in my chair, fully facing him, and grab his face in mine. “You’re my bestest friend, Dallas.” I reach up and press a kiss to his forehead.
He backs away quickly, swatting me off. “If you ever fucking do that again, you’re going to be demoted from that title real fast.”
I laugh, and it feels so good.
It’s not the fake kind that I put on for show either. This is myfamily, and they’re doing exactly what they know I need. Lightening the mood. Making me laugh. Allowing me the chance to joke. Allowing me to be myself. It’s not because they don’t care, it’s because theydo care.
“Now, before Griff gets back. Scottie. Talk to me,” Dallas says.
I sigh. “I wish I understood what I’m feeling, Dallas. Everything is so new for me. It’s so intense. It’s…”
“Love.”
