Page 9 of What About Now

“Maddox.” She sighs, and I get the feeling she’s going to be sighing my name a lot.

“You promised me we would talk,” I remind her.

“My place.”

“Okay.” I nod and continue to carry her bag and mine to the parking garage. When I don’t stop at Legend’s SUV and keep going to my truck, she calls my name.

“Maddox.”

I stop and turn to look at her. “Yes, dear?” I smirk.

“I rode with Legend and Monroe.”

“I know you did, but we’re going home, baby. You can ride with me.” I watch as acceptance washes over her face. She turns toward Briar and gives her a hug, before doing the same with Forrest. I’m too far away to hear what they’re saying, but close enough to know it’s about me.

Then she kneels and tugs River and Rayne into a hug. The girls giggle before they wiggle out of her hold and take off, racing toward me. I have just enough time to drop the bags and crouch down to catch them.

“Bye, Uncle Maddox.”

Uncle Maddox.

Damn.

They’ve called me that hundreds of times, but this time, it rings more true than ever, and I’m not too insecure to admit thatit gets me in the chest. My heart squeezes. These little angels have stolen all of our hearts.

“Bye, girls. Be good for your mom and dad.”

I glance up at Forrest, and he’s smiling wide. “Come on, girls. Daddy will strap you in your seats.” His eyes find mine, and he mouths, “I’m a daddy.” It's still hard for him to wrap his head around the changes in his life most days, but it’s because he loves those three so damn much.

One more hug for me, and they’re off racing toward their dad. I stand, and Forrest gives me a nod and a silent confirmation that he’s with me on this. He understands the Pearce women. He’s married to one, too, and he knows what I’m up against. His look says, “Stay strong. I’m with you, and don’t give up on what you want.”

What I want is Brogan.

I want my wife.

I want the chance to make her fall in love with me.

I remain where I am while Brogan slowly makes her way over to me. I pick up our bags and we walk side by side to my truck. I open the back door and place our luggage inside before opening her door for her.

“You don’t have to open doors for me.”

“I know I don’t have to, but I want to.” What I don’t tell her is that she deserves to be treated like a queen. My queen.

The drive to her place is quiet, but not uncomfortable. I want to reach over and take her hand in mine, but I refrain. I know I’m coming on strong, but I’m not the kind of man who sits back and waits. I did that once in my life. With her. It was hell seeing her and not pursuing her. It’s my second chance to have her in my life as more than just a friend, or my best friend’s sister-in-law, and that’s worth fighting for.

I let fear hold me back, and that was a mistake, one I’m currently paying for because my feelings for her are like a bombin her eyes. She didn’t expect them. I just hope she agrees to give me a chance to show her what we can be.

Who we can be together.

CHAPTER

THREE

Brogan

Maddox pulls his truck into my driveway and puts it in Park. The house is dark, and loneliness washes over me. I’ve been living here on my own for a while, but tonight it feels different. The emptiness that waits for me is pressing into my chest like a ton of bricks.

“I’ll get your door,” he says, his voice gruff from the silence on the drive home from the airport.

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