Page 72 of (Un)Rivaled

Before I’d fallen deeply, irrevocably in love with him.

Marta took my hand, tugging me further into the kitchen so the guys couldn’t hear us. She studied my expression. “I know that look, Devyn.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Yes, you do,” Marta insisted. “It’s that look you get when you’re scared, when those big emotions are threatening to pull you under, so you shove them into a box. It happened a lot when you were younger and you didn’t want people asking too many questions about home. Now, you’re doing it again, but it’s about my boy.” She squeezed my hands in comfort. “So talk to me. Even if Gray is my son, you know I have always loved you like a daughter. I’m here for you, just like I would be there for him.”

I exhaled slowly. “I know I do—love Gray, I mean. But I’m not good at this. I’m terrified I’m going to mess everything up, or he’s going to figure out I’m difficult and stubborn and not who he pictured being with.” Tears threatened to fill my eyes, but I shoved them back, determined to make it through. “I’m so scared, I can’t see straight, but the idea of walking away from him makes me nauseous. I don’t know what I’m doing.”

Marta smiled brightly at me. “Oh honey, you’re definitely in love.” She pulled me in for a tight hug. “It’s scary being vulnerable with someone, giving them that power over your heart. But I promise, if it’s the right person, it’s worth the risk.”

“What if it ends?” I quietly asked. “I don’t think I’d survive it.”

“All love stories end,” Marta answered, giving me a sad smile. “Through mistakes, apathy, or time, every single one comes to an end. Look at Curt and me.” She sighed and looked over her shoulder to where her husband sat. “When I met Curt, I never imagined we’d be here, with me waking up each morning praying he recognizes me. But even knowing that, I would still choose him, every single time. Because no matter how this ends, the journey made it so worth it.”

Even though I wasn’t a hugger, I pulled Marta in, holding her close for a few minutes. Someone clearing their throat made us break apart, turning to find Gray standing in the doorway.

“Everything okay in here?”

“Yes,” Marta chuckled, swatting him with a kitchen towel. “Just catching up with my girl. How’s your father?”

“Good,” Gray answered. “Talking about playing cards. Are you cool if I have everyone over for a couple of hands?”

“Of course. The more the merrier.”

Gray’s steel eyes met mine, concern flickering in his irises for a second. But as I smiled up at him, it faded in the background. “What do you say, Ace? You up for a round?”

“You’re on.”

THIRTY-NINE

Less than an hour later, the three of us transformed the living room from a cozy country home into a modern-day saloon, complete with the green felt poker table and a rolling drink cart. As soon as Gray said his dad wanted to play a couple of rounds of cards, all our friends drove over, happy to give Curt a fun night.

In fact, there was a new light in his eyes as everyone shuffled through the door, greeting every person by name and giving them a big hug. Curt was his usual self, and his memory seemed to be pretty intact. Gray watched him carefully, warning me he tended to get worse after the sun went down, but so far, he showed no signs of slowing down.

After we all grabbed drinks and settled around the table, we chatted as Curt and Marta set everything else up. At first, I felt a little uneasy, especially considering that the last time we were all in the same room, Gray spilled the news about our marriage. I thought there might have been a little animosity after the fallout, but everyone seemed to be just as welcoming as usual.

“It feels weird being out this late,” Cole’s sister, Victoria,chuckled from my side. “Usually, I’m passed out next to Emilia after reading her a third bedtime story.”

Her boyfriend, Adam, looked over at her softly, knowing the days she didn’t have her five-year-old daughter, Emilia, were tough. Even though she had an amazing relationship with her daughter’s father, Victoria had an incredible bond with her child, and she missed her terribly when she was with her dad for the weekend.

“I know what you mean,” Calla chuckled from across the table, one hand on her cards, the other on her belly. “I’m already struggling to keep my eyes open. Can’t imagine it’s going to get any better after she arrives.”

“We’ll figure it out,” Theo said as he leaned in to kiss her shoulder. “Especially if you let me hire a night nurse?—”

“Not happening, Sunshine,” Calla smirked back. “We’re going to be all hands on deck with this baby, midnight feedings and all.”

“I know,” Theo said, unable to hold back his smile. “I just worry about you.”

As my sister turned to him and whispered something in her husband’s ear, I returned my attention to the table, suddenly feeling like an intruder in their private moment. I turned to my other side, finding Alex and Cole chatting happily with Curt as he sorted all the poker chips. It was interesting to watch the couples sitting at this table. All of them had long journeys to find each other, but they were making it work, and it was obvious they loved each other.

As I glanced over at Gray, I found he was already looking at me, the same slight smile on his lips. What did they see when they looked at us? Did we look at each other like we wouldn’t survive without each other?

“Alright,” Curt said as he shuffled the cards. “Gotta let all of you in on the rules of poker in my house.No complaining, always make sure you have a drink in your hand before the flop, and aces are always high.”

Victoria scrunched her nose. “I thought they could be low or high.”

“In most cases, yes,” Curt chuckled. “But not in this house.”

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