Page 77 of Agony of Our Regret

Luca beamed. “Another baby?”

“Yeah, but not for a few years.”

“Thank heaven.” I blew out a sigh, and the guys laughed. I shifted, and pregnancy bladder meant unloading from the couch to go to the bathroom.

While I waddled away, Noah shared the bits and pieces he’d put together, things he’d already told me.

When I stepped back into my bedroom, Vince was waiting for me.

“Hey.” I walked over and wrapped my arms around his waist.

He held me against his broad chest and kissed the top of my head. “Hi, babe.”

I closed my eyes. We hadn’t had much time alone, and I missed him more than I realized.

“I wanted to tell you something, away from the others.” I pulled back and looked up. “I’ve been seeing a therapist, virtually. We do video calls since I’m in Santa Fe most of the time.”

I nodded.

“We started with three times a week.”

“That’s a lot. I was shocked he dove in that deep right from the get-go.

“I had a lot to work through. In fact, after the first two weeks, I realized that most of my issues stemmed from my parents. I called them, and we spoke for a while. They agreed to join the calls once a week.”

“Really? Your dad, too?”

He nodded. “He was surprisingly supportive of the idea. He’s changed a lot since we left. He’s a much better dad to my siblings, and while I’m grateful for that, it just added to the resentment.” He paused. “I couldn’t understand why he would hit me and scream at me and make it so that I felt unsafe at home, but could be this amazing version of himself for them.”

My heart broke. A long time ago, he told me Gavin’s parents got involved before I moved to Arlington Park, and things had slowly improved back then. Now it sounded like he was a different man entirely.

“He had a lot of things he needed to work through. Trauma he experienced at the hands of his parents. He thought for a long time that the way he treated me was normal because it was the way he’d been treated.” Vince shook his head. “He’s been going to therapy for years. I didn’t know that. He was glad I asked for them to join me.”

“So, your relationship is getting better?”

He finally grinned. “Yeah, I’m not sure we’ll ever be as close as some of the guys are with their parents, but it’s better. I’ve let go of the anger, pain, and resentment. Something I didn’t know I needed to do to grow. Those were blocking me from being the man I wanted to be.”

I rested my head on his chest and held him tight. “I’m proud of you.”

He cradled the back of my head. “I’m still a work in progress, but I wanted you to know that I’m trying.”

“That's all I want. I want you to see your worth, not for me, but for yourself.”

“I understand now.”

I stifled tears as I looked at him. “I love you so much, and you have me to rely on, but I need you to be able to hold yourself up and be strong without leaning on us as a crutch.”

He nodded. “You’re pretty smart, and I feel like I’m getting there. I want to be the man you know I can be.”

I lifted to my toes and kissed him. “I love you.”

He sighed against my lips. “I love you so much.”

For the first time since they all came back, I had hope we could make our relationship last.

I didn’t think I’d survive another heartbreak if we didn’t.

SEVENTEEN

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