Page 120 of Lassoed Love

Changing the subject, I ask about the altercation between himand his dad. “What happened between you and your dad, Xav? He’d mentioned some altercation.”

He sighs, and my head moves with his chest. “I was so angry. I lost it at him. I… just needed him to understand.”

“Well, I guess whatever you said kind of worked. He apologised for everything—the grudge against my father, about the money.” Xavier’s reaction is a mix of shock and something else that flits through his eyes—relief, perhaps?

“My dad apologised, huh?” he remarks, almost incredulously.

“Yeah,” I confirm, looking up at him.

He processes this for a moment, and I can see the wheels turning in his head. “I can’t believe it. I mean, I’ve been at odds with him about this for weeks, and suddenly, he just says sorry?”

I nod, my fingers tracing patterns on his chest. “It caught me off guard, too.”

He chuckles softly. “Yeah, it’s a lot to take in. Apologising isn’t exactly his strong suit.”

“This is a big step. Not just for your father, but for us, too,” I say, feeling the weight of the words hanging in the air.

“Yeah, I guess it is,” he responds, nuzzling his face in my hair and planting a soft kiss on the top.

A surge of warmth fills me. Despite everything that has happened, there’s no other place I’d rather be than in his arms. Here, I feel at home, safe. With Xavier, I can navigate through anything, and with his love, I finally find the space to breathe. No matter what life throws at me, no matter what happens with my dad, I draw strengthfrom the certainty that his love will see me through.

I find comfort in knowing that he’ll never leave me.

45

Hanging By A Moment - Lifehouse

It’sbeen a few weeks now since I told Isla I love her. She hasn’t uttered those words back to me, but I can feel it in every gesture, every shared glance. Her love emanates in subtle ways that don't necessarily need words.

Isla’s actions speak louder than any declaration of love. She’s gone out of her way to ease the tension with my father, offering a compassion that only someone who cares deeply could. The soft, lingering kisses planted on my forehead or the sweet pecks she leaves on my cheek—each gesture a silent testament to the depth of her affection.

In the quiet moments while visiting her father in hospital—when we just hold each other, I can sense her love in the softness of her touch, in the way her fingers intertwine with mine. It's in the small gestures, the shared laughter over inside jokes—that make me realise how much she cares.

The past few weeks have been challenging, especially with Isla’s father still in a stagnant state. The doctors and nurses remain hopeful, assuring us that he may regain consciousness soon.

In the midst of this uncertainty, Isla’s unwavering support and thelove that resonates between us become anchors, grounding us in the face of life's unpredictable currents.

The hum of beeping noises fills the room, rhythmic and somewhat unsettling, as we sit by Isla’s father’s bedside. Imogen breezes in just after my mum leaves, bringing with her a burst of energy and a handful of well-wishing flowers.

“G’day peeps!” Imogen chirps, tossing the flowers into a vase on the bedside table. She glances at the two of us with a mischievous smirk. “‘Bout time you two sorted your shit out.”

Isla rolls her eyes, and I just chuckle.

“Yeah, she kept waiting long enough,” I say, squeezing Isla to my side.

“Stop! You guys are just the cutest.Ugh, I went on that date with that guy I told you about the other week.”

“Oh, god! How’d it go?”

“Terrible, terrible, terrible,” she says, shaking her in disapproval. “Why is it so hard to find a decent guy in this shitty town? Maybe I need to dip my toes in the pool of city men.”

“Trust me, they’re not any better there. Just ask Claire,” Isla says with a laugh.

“Well, I might just know a few around town,” I quip, a teasing grin on my face.

“Xavier Mitchell, if you mention his name, I will walk over there and—” Imogen’s threat gets cut off with my laugh.

“Woah, take it easy tiger.” I shoot her a playful grin. I love how I don't even have to mention Harrison’s name for her to knowwho I’m referring to.

---