Page 169 of Finish Line

“You bought me a house?” I gasp as I stare at the guys.

“Sort of. Dad put up half, and we covered the rest. It’s in Westridge, so you can always go racing,” Mav says.

I shake my head. “It’s too much.”

“We figured you say that, but it’s perfect,” Luke says. “It even has an apartment above the garage for Cin and Nick. There are enough bedrooms for everyone.”

“It’s down the road from us,” Ricky adds.

My head shoots up, and I gape at Ricky. “You knew about this?”

“I told them when it went up for sale,” Ricky says.

“Wow.” My mind blanks. A house. “Thank you.”

The guys also give me jewelry and some other items. Peter asks if he can talk to Hannah, me, and Nick. We move off to the side.

“What’s up, Dad?” Hannah asks.

“I’ve been thinking about selling the house, but I want your thoughts.” He adjusts his glasses.

None of us say anything.

Nick and I discussed this, and we figured this would come sooner or later.

He rubs his hands together. “Too many memories of your mom and Patty haunt the house. I can’t live there anymore. I’ll keep it if one of you wants it, though.”

“Dad, do what you feel is right. I don’t know when or if I’ll be coming back.” Hannah glances over her shoulder.

“I figured you’d be doing this at some point,” Nick says. “You spend your time at work, and your downtown apartment is closer. I say go for it.”

“Shelby, what do you think?” he asks.

“Me?” I point to myself.

“Yes. How would you feel if I sold the house?”

“Umm. I’ve only lived there for a few months. It’s the first place that felt like home to me, but my life is now with the guys. I agree with Nick. Your apartment is closer to work, and you don’t want to go back there.” I swallow. “My opinion shouldn’t matter.”

“Why? You’re family, silly,” Hannah says.

For her to call me family after everything we’ve been through breaks me, and tears run down my face.

“Thanks, Hannah, that means a lot.”

“Why? It’s true. We might not see eye to eye all the time, but I hardly ever agree with my twin. We had a rough beginning but are moving in the right direction. So, your voice counts.”

“Wow, okay. Hannah is in Iowa, and Nick and I have a place with the guys. Peter, you have your apartment. You should sell it.”

“Okay, then I’ll sell it. You need to figure out what to do with the items you have in the house.” Peter looks at us again.

“I wouldn’t mind taking some over to the new place,” Nick says.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

SHELBY

The next day the guys show me the house, and I fall in love.

---