Page 124 of Their Greatest Strength

Stroking my cheekbones, he asks, “For what? Being human?”

“For letting my emotions get the better of me. Especially here with your entire family around.”

“Nobody knows but you, me, and my dad. Even if everyone did, they wouldn’t view you any differently.”

Without uttering another word, I shut my eyes and soak up the strength in the hands holding my face. Jamie ghosts his lips over my forehead and sighs, making no move to let me go.

It should be fear that strikes when I realize why Jamie’s become my comfort in every terrifying situation or how he’s the only one who seems to see through the walls I’m too afraid to let down.

Yet, somehow, accepting that I’m in love with this man brings me nothing but the steady calm I’ve been searching my entire life for.

36

JAMIE

The basement gameroom is overflowing with members of my family, yet it’s the woman sitting beside me that I care most about. She hasn’t left my side since I found her in the hallway with my dad, and fuck, I don’t want to let her go.

Not right now or ever.

She’s sitting half on the cushion and half on my thigh, holding my hand in a tight grip that shows no sign of loosening. I’m not sure what’s happening in her head, but I’m looking forward to finding out as soon as she wants to tell me.

My dad and uncle are perched at the small bar, staring over at us. The kids are upstairs, and while Mom would have usually opted out of hanging down here with us, she’s hovering near Blakely. Her eyes are soft as she watches my wife, curious but silent, like she doesn’t want to make anything worse.

It would be alarming to see how quickly my family fell for her if I wasn’t so happy to see it. Blakely may not have told me all the specifics of her childhood and the past she’s trying so hard not to let control her, but I don’t need to know them. When she’s ready to tell me everything, I’ll be here ready to listen.

“You guys should come to Nate’s football game on Friday,” I say, continuing to run my fingers through her hair.

My uncle Oakley’s expression fills with intrigue before he asks Blakely, “Nate’s your brother, right?”

“Yes. He’s a wide receiver for the Pacific Heights Thunderhawks.”

“A wide receiver, hey? You been giving him some tips, Jamie?” Maddox asks, glancing up from where he’s playing with toy cars on the floor with his son, Liam.

“He doesn’t need them, but yeah, I’ve been helping. There’s a future for him in football, and I’m not just saying that.”

Blakely plays with my fingers, shifting even closer. “They’ve been practicing at the field nearly every night.”

“I’d love to come to the game. It’s been five years since we’ve been to a high school game, Ty. I miss the bad popcorn and foam fingers,” Mom says with an airy tone.

Oliver enters the room from who knows where and sinks onto the opposite side of the L couch beside Mom. “You can still get bad popcorn and foam fingers at a Pythons game.”

“You’ll come too, won’t you?” Mom asks.

“When?”

“Friday night. Nate’s game,” I say.

Oliver thinks for a second, pulling up his work schedule in his head, most likely. “Yeah, we’ll come.”

It’s still weird to think that he has a whole-ass family of his own now. There’s no more I for him. Only us or we.

“We’ll be back home because the team plays Friday, but wish him luck for us,” Maddox says.

He’s constantly flying between Ottawa and here whenever he and Braxton have a chance. I’ve always wondered how much longer they’ll do that. Once Braxton has the baby, will they choose to stay in Ottawa full-time until Dox’s contract with the Beavertails is over?

Blakely nods. “I will.”

“How’s marriage life, J?” Oliver asks, his stare narrowed slightly.

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