Page 42 of Unexpected Love

Later, I pull up in front of my parents’ home and climb out of my car. As I step onto the front stoop, my dad opens the door. “Hi, honey. This is a nice surprise.” I walk to him and wrap my arms around his waist. “Chloe, are you okay?”

With my cheek resting against his chest, I whisper, “I’m falling in love with him, and I’m terrified.”

I feel him touch his lips to the top of my head. “Come inside—your pops bought that ice cream you like.”

He leads me inside and gets me situated at the breakfast bar. He’s silent while he dishes us up bowls of ice cream and then sets down a bowl in front of me before taking his seat. He’s the one who was there for me the most when I found out the extent of what Trevor had done.

“Why are you scared? Things are going well, aren’t they?” He’s started warming up to Joe more than Pops has.

“Yeah, they are. I guess I’m just worried because he’s a lot younger, and what if he decides I’m too old for him?”

My dad throws his head back and laughs. “Honey, you act like there’s a huge age difference. What is there—a four-, five-year difference?” I hold up seven fingers. “Sweetheart, seven years in the grand scheme of things is nothing. Does he say it’s a problem?” I shake my head. “Okay, then have you told him how you feel?”

“No, because I’m not sure where his head is at. That’s what sucks about being four hours away. I’m going to Beaufort next weekend to have dinner with his parents and go to a party and meet his friends.”

“If you get a chance next weekend, then just talk to him—it can’t hurt to just come right out and tell him how you feel. When you see him, just do whatever feels right.” We both dig into our ice cream, my thoughts on Joe.

“Oh, I forgot to tell you.” I tell my dad about Hailey’s sister, but I don’t tell him about Hailey being in rehab because I’d be no better than her if I shared. I do tell him that she’s on an extended vacation, though.

We finish our ice cream, and then I take my leave, promising to come over for dinner.

***

I’m just pouring a cup of coffee when my front door opens. Carter, followed by Kyle, Robby, and Eli enter my house per usual. Carter’s got a key and he’s been known to just let himself in. Who am I kidding—Eli made a copy of Carter’s key and walks in whenever he wants, too.

Kyle and Robby are cousins and look a lot alike; their dark hair is shaved close to their scalps, and they have the same hazel eyes. They’re both tall and lean, and their only difference is Kyle’s skin tone is dark olive and Robby’s is more peaches and cream. They’re Carter’s age, and they all went to school together.

Growing up with one little brother and three pseudo-little brothers made it hard to date or have friends over because those assholes would torment us relentlessly. My brother isn’t a huge talker, especially around people who aren’t family, but he got the other three to go along with whatever he planned.

“What’s up, boys? I’m surprised to see you all up so early on a Saturday. Except for you, Kyle—how are Jenny and Jayson? I need to go visit.” He’s the only member of our band that is married, and his son is two. He’s a terror, but he’s cute so I can sometimes forgive him.

Kyle comes forward and kisses my cheek. “Yeah, little man was up at five this morning. I let Jenny sleep and got up with him. They’re great, though, and I know Jenny would love to see you.”

“What are you guys doing here? It’s not that I’m not happy to see you, but I was just curious.”

“We were on our way to have breakfast and wanted to see if you wanted to join us,” Eli says, smiling widely.

“Yeah, grab some coffee and give me ten minutes to get ready.” They’re all grabbing mugs when I leave the kitchen.

In the bathroom, I pull back my hair, wash my face, and put on a little bit of makeup. I take down my hair and brush it out before quickly braiding it. I race across the hall and throw on cut-off jean shorts and a black tank top. I shove my feet into my Nikes and then head back out into the living room where everyone is lounging on my furniture. Ragnar and Lagertha are curled up next to Carter.

“You are the only woman I know that can get ready in less than ten minutes,” Robby says as they all stand up.

“That’s because she loved hitting snooze when we were younger, and if she didn’t want to miss the bus, she had to get ready quick,” Carter says as I grab my purse, and we all head outside. They rode together, so I climb in my car and follow them to our favorite waffle house.

As soon as my car’s in park, Eli’s opening my door for me and helping me out. “You are glowing. Joe looks good on you. I’m sorry I haven’t been very nice to him. No one is ever going to be good enough for you.” He wraps his arm around my shoulders and kisses my temple.

I love my crazy, overprotective family.

Breakfast is a loud crazy affair, and luckily we’re regulars so we don’t bother other patrons. I smile at my brother from across the table. He returns it and looks at Kyle, who’s shaking his head while he tells us about Jayson’s latest shenanigans.

Just like me, my brother can’t wait to have kids. One might think that because our real mom and dad lost custody of us that it might make us think twice about children. I want to have children because both of my dads taught us what it’s like to be loved and cared for…I want to share that with my kids.

Carter feels the same. He doesn’t date a whole lot, though. It’s not like he shares his sex life with me because ewww…gross, but I don’t think he’s dated anyone in a long time. When we were younger, people just assumed he was gay because our dads are. I hated that he constantly had to defend himself because of it. Maybe that’s why he doesn’t date a lot.

We finish eating and make plans to have band practice a couple of nights during the coming week; Kyle got us a gig for the end of the month.

As we head outside, I hug all of the boys bye, and Carter then walks me to my car. He opens the door for me. “You okay?” I ask.

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