Page 66 of Tide Over

He nods slowly. “She said your dad died on the boat.”

My heart skips a beat, and my eyes quickly drop to the coffee in my hands. I pause for a moment as I watch the steam curl upwards, until I nod. “Yeah.”

“That’s why you stayed,” Liam says softly. “Why you do all this.”

I swallow hard, feeling the familiar ache in my chest whenever I allow myself to think about Dad. When I lift my eyes to Liam’s again, he’s watching me with understanding. Because he knows exactly what this feels like.

“Yeah,” I say, nodding again.

He sets his coffee on the counter and steps forward, pulling me into his arms. He says nothing as he holds me, and my arms wrap around him as I take a deep breath in, finding comfort in his touch.

And he’s right. Staying here in Torrin Cove and taking over the family business was never my choice… it was my promise. I couldn’t even consider leaving to pursue anything else, and selling off everything my grandfather and my dad worked sohard for. Dad loved it on the water, and I do too… even on the hard days when all I can think about is him.

So I stayed. And I continue to put everything I have into his passion, our town, and our family.

For him.

After a moment, Liam pulls back just enough to meet my eyes. His gaze is full of understanding, and a strength I didn’t expect.

“Doing what’s best for your family is brave,” he says quietly. “But being brave means knowing when to think of yourself too.”

My chest rises and falls with a heavy breath as I look into his eyes, and he brushes a thumb across my cheek.

“Your family loves you,” he says. “And not because of what you do, or how much you give. They love you for exactly who you are.” He then drops his hand from the side of my face and rests it over my chest. “Mo chridhe.”

The Gaelic words flow over me, soothing even though I don’t know what they mean. But the sound of them, and the way they feel coming from him, makes my heart soar. My head drops to his shoulder as I breathe him in, and Liam holds me tight against him.

I know his words are true. I’ve suppressed myself for so long, burying who I really am, so my family won’t have to face yet another heartbreak if everything falls apart. I know they will accept me for who I am… but the fear is for them. If the store crumbles, if the crew leaves… all my family’s hard work and passions could be gone in the blink of an eye. Even if I know deep down that won’t happen, I can’t even let myself consider the risk. The weight of that fear has been enough to keep me silent and hiding.

But Liam’s words still echo in my mind.Being brave means knowing when to think of yourself too.I’ve held it all in for so long, pushing down the truth that I’m gay, and afraid to admitit even to myself to protect my family. And finally letting that part of me out, even just here behind these walls with Liam, has released years of relentless pressure. Here, with him, I can finally breathe.

And it feels so good.

I lift my head from his shoulder and find his lips with mine, letting everything fade away so I can appreciate this moment with him.

Because I’m pretty sure I’m in love with him.

His hands slide up my back, pulling me closer as he kisses me with the same need I’m feeling. And as we stand here in the kitchen, wrapped up in each other and bathed in the soft morning light, Miss Bobber rolling around in a sunspot on the floor… it all feels so right.

Liam then chuckles against my lips as I feel Miss Bobber at our feet. He pulls back to look down at her as she goes full attack mode on his foot. We both laugh as she nearly climbs his leg with wide, wild eyes, and he gently shakes her off.

“Wild cat…” he mutters with a smirk. Then he looks up at me. “The kids will be here soon, good thing she has energy.”

I huff out a laugh as she darts around the kitchen island and the jingling of the bell on one of her toys sounds from the living room. “I’d say she’s ready.” My gaze then drops to his bare chest, and I run a hand over his pecs, taking in the feel of him under my touch. “But I don’t want you to have to get ready yet.”

He draws a slow breath in as his eyes follow my hand on his chest, then lower to my sweatpants. His hands grip my hips tighter as he pulls me against him, his lips hovering over mine. “Same.”

He steps into me, backing me up against the counter as he presses his lips to mine again. This time with heat and urgency. His tongue slips past my lips, and I immediately open for him, wanting everything he has to give me. His hips press into mineand I moan into his mouth as I feel him against me. I want to pull him even closer, take more and give him everything I?—

A knock on the door brings us both back down to reality, and Liam steps backwards with wide eyes, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “Well, shit,” he says with a heavy breath.

I shoot him a pointed look and shake my head. “You’re the one who invited them over.”

He rolls his eyes and exits the kitchen, heading towards the stairs. “Just answer the door.”

I watch him for a moment as he disappears into the hallway to go upstairs and grab a shirt, then I head to the door and open it to Heather, Isla, and Mason.

“Uncle Theo! I brought my diggers!” Mason happily holds up his bag full of toy trucks with a big smile on his face, and dirt already smeared across the front of his shirt.

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