Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 81718 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 272(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81718 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 272(@300wpm)
I hear her sniffle, and my hackles rise. I lift my head and slowly pull out of her. No condom is a hell of a lot messier, but I can’t focus on that right now. “Are you crying?”
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?” My voice cracks as panic sets in. I thought she was with me.
“No. No, of course not. These are happy tears. I never knew it could be like this.”
“It’s not. It’s never been like this for me. It’s us, Briar. It’s who we are together.”
“I like us together.”
“Me too, baby. Me too.” I kiss her softly, trying to show her that I more than like us together. I love us. I love her. “Let’s get cleaned up.”
We make quick work of cleaning up in the en suite. I slip back into my boxer briefs, and unlock and crack the door open in case the girls need us before sliding into bed and pulling her into my arms. Where she belongs.
I love you.
CHAPTER
EIGHTEEN
Briar
“Where are we?” River asks from her brand-new car seat in the back of Forrest’s truck. It’s the first week of September and we’re headed to the county fair. Forrest picked us up, and the girls were thrilled to see they had their own seats in his truck. He got bonus points because there was a pink seat and a purple one. He knows my girly girls pretty well. I turn and smile at my girls, and my sister, who is sitting in the middle of the back seat between them. I offered to sit there, but she insisted she was fine.
“This is where I work, Razzle.”
“You work here?” Rayne asks from her matching seat that’s sitting right behind Forrest.
“I sure do.”
“This is where you draw?” River asks.
“Something like that.” Forrest laughs.
“Are we going to draw?” Rayne asks.
“Not today, Dazzle. Remember when I told you we were going to go to the county fair?”
“Oh, yeah.” Rayne nods. “What are we gonna do there, Forty?”
“We’re gonna ride some rides, play some games, and eat some junk food.”
“Why are we going to eat junk?” River asks. I don’t have to turn to look at her to know she’s scrunching up her nose in distaste.
“Junk food is a way of saying food that’s not super healthy,” I explain to my daughters.
“Like elephant ears and deep-fried Oreos,” Forrest adds.
“I like Oreos, but I don’t think I’ve ever had any elephant. Have I, Mommy?” River asks.
It takes extreme effort to hide my laugh. “No, baby. But it’s not an elephant ear for real. It’s just called that.”
“Sissy, junk food is weird,” Rayne whispers.
“We’re going with a bunch of people. Everyone I work with and their families,” Forrest says.
“Are we your family, Forrest?” River asks, her voice small.
Forrest pulls his keys from the ignition, unbuckles his seat belt, and turns to face the girls. “You are my family.”
“Where you been?” Rayne asks.
“I didn’t know you until this year, but now that I do, we’re family,” Forrest explains. He looks at me, and I nod.
It’s hard to make their four-year-old little minds understand, but they’ll get it one day. I’ve been in therapy now for going on three months. I should have done it years ago. Brogan and I both have been making great progress, and for the first time in my adult life, I’m ready to move beyond my tragedy. I know I have Forrest to thank for that. He’s… well, he’s everything. My girls love him, and I love him.
No, I haven’t told him yet. It’s scary as hell to put yourself out there.
I know I have nothing to worry about with Forrest. He’s proven himself over and over again. He’s in this with me and my girls. I’m pretty sure he loves me. In fact, I’m certain of it, but he’s never pushed me. He’s given me the time I need to grow and process all these feelings.
I don’t know how I managed to do so, but I met an incredible man who has captured all three of our hearts, and in turn, we’ve given him ours.
Brogan hops out of the truck, and she and Maggie ride with Maddox and Lachlan, while Roman, Emerson, and Lilly ride with Legend and Monroe. Then there is Lyra, Drake, and his girlfriend, Lisa, who also works at Everlasting Ink; they’re all riding together. In a convoy, we pull out of the lot and make our way toward the county fair.
A family outing, as Emerson called it. I finally understand what she means. Family isn’t blood, and this family—some blood related, most not—have chosen one another, and me, my girls, and my sister are lucky enough to be included in that label.
For the first time since our father passed, we have a family.
Our Everlasting Ink family.
“Which one do you want?” Forrest asks the girls.
“I want the pink one!” River says.