Page 64 of Second Chances with my Billionaire Bosses

I hadn’t had a single drop of alcohol but I felt drunk. Without the barriers I’d erected to keep myself safe from them, I couldn’t help but experience how much happiness they brought me. It was a hard pill to swallow that the eighteen-year-old me had known better than the twenty-eight-year-old me. She had, though. She’d known the joy she felt when she was around the guys. She’d been open to it. She’d recognized a home in them that she hadn’t felt anywhere else.

I looked up and found all three of them staring at me, watching and waiting. Without them having to say it, I knew what they wanted. I took a long drink of water and gripped my hands together in my lap. I was petrified of what could go wrong but I didn’t want to live my life so cold and numb for a second longer. I wanted them and the fire they brought to my life. I wanted the acceptance and love I felt from them, no matter how I looked or acted.

“I’m still not sure about what kind of mother I’ll be. I know what kind of fathers y’all will be, though, and that’s enough to make me believe this is possible. I want to give our childreneverything I felt like I didn’t have growing up, all the love and support they can stand. If I fail, each of you will be there to help me. As long as you don’t expect perfection, I want this. I want to make a family with you.” I swallowed around a lump in my throat and kept my eyes down. “I’ve wanted this since I was eighteen and I don’t want to let the decade between then and now get in our way. I think I’ve loved all of you since I was a teenager and I don’t think it’s ever going to change.”

Arlo gripped the back of my neck and turned my head to face him.

“It’ll never change. We’ll never give you a reason to fall out of love with us, baby. We know we’re the lucky ones here and we’re going to make sure we work to be good enough for you for the rest of our lives.”

“We love you, Maxine. Whether that means the old Maxie or the new Maxie, we accept you no matter what. We want you for every part of you, from the hidden attitude to the insane sweetness that never seems to quit. You’re ours, sweetheart.” Rhett reached out and stroked my cheek. “And we’re yours. This is it for us. You’re our home for the rest of our lives and into the afterlife if we have anything to say about it.”

Shep grinned at me.

“I can’t say it better than that. I love you, Max. I loved you before I should and I’ll love you more and more until I’m no longer a thought in this world. What I feel for you will never fade. Believe me when I say you’re stuck with us, one way or another.”

Mom’s voice had no room left in my head, not with their love and support filling me so thoroughly. I felt peace and I suddenly wanted to lock them into forever with me. It was crazy and out of the norm and maybe they wouldn’t appreciate it but the words were spilling from my lips before I could overthink it.

“Do y’all want to marry me?”

Arlo’s mouth dropped open. Rhett’s eyes went as big as I’d ever seen them. Shep, though? Shep took everything in stride. He just kept grinning, a knowing look settling in his eyes.

Arlo let out a string of swears and then stood up so fast his chair tipped over.

“You did not just propose to us.”

Shep laughed.

“She did.”

“No!” Rhett stood up and dragged me to my feet. “I mean, yes, but no! You don’t get to ask that question. We do the asking. Not because we’re old fashioned, even though maybe we are, but because we want you to know how insane we are for you, how in love we are. Take it back, woman.”

“I refuse to acknowledge that you asked. No. You’re not stealing our thunder, Maxine Hellstone. Not a chance in hell. Get your sexy ass out to that truck and buckle in. As soon as we get you home, I’m going to bend you over and spank you until you take it back and let us do the asking.” Arlo didn’t wait to slap my ass as he pushed me toward the door. “I can’t believe you. Doyouhave a ring? Because we do.”

I looked at Shep with wide eyes as he tossed several bills down on the table.

“Help!”

“Oh, no, baby. You insulted their pride by jumping the gun and stealing their moment. You’re in big trouble now.” He winked. “I think you’ll like it, though.”

When I didn’t move fast enough Arlo picked me up and carried me out. I laughed and flailed to keep myself covered but I should’ve known I had nothing to worry about. Arlo made sure I wasn’t flashing anyone as he carted me out. “Arlo! I take it back! Wait! You have a ring?”

Rhett growled. “Yes, we have a ring! We’ve known you’re our woman for long enough to know what we want. You were going to get it tonight but I don’t know now.”

Arlo put me in the truck and leaned over to buckle me in. His eyes were alight with mischief as he leaned in. “Maybe if you’rereally, reallygood you’ll still find yourself with a ring by the end of the night.”

Tears filled my eyes as I cupped his face. “Y’all were going to ask me to marry you?”

Rhett looked back at me from the driver’s seat and bit his lip as he slowly nodded. “Still might.”

Knowing how much they loved me and how much I loved them, I wasn’t worried. They’d ask. I knew before the night ended I’d be the future Mrs.- I gasped. “Wait. Whose name will I take?”

Shep’s laugh was teasing. “You’re making big plans for a woman who hasn’t been asked anything yet.”

CHAPTER 45

Arlo

“Upstairs, Maxie.” I pushed her toward the stairs and watched as she giggled over her shoulder at me before kicking off her heels and taking off. “Go to my room and bend over my bed, little girl.”

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