Page 29 of Spring Forward

I look over at my older brother to find the biggest smile I’ve ever seen on his face. Eden is tucked into his side, right where she belongs. My brother hasn’t let her be farther than an arm’s reach away since she walked down the aisle to him on her father’s arm.

Honestly, I can’t blame the man. It’s not like I’ve been much better with Delaney, and she still won’t admit she’s mine and is staying.

Something shifted the night she came to me after my parents arrived back at Limitless. I’m not sure if she’s even aware of itor how this feeling of yearning is coming off her in waves. She might want to stay, she might crave it, but I can’t force her to make the leap.

It’s something she’s going to have to do on her own.

My gut is telling me she’s almost there. I just need to be patient.

If only waiting was in my nature. Letting her make up her own mind feels like torture, even if it is the right thing to do.

Hopefully, she won’t take too much longer to figure out she’s right where she belongs. And not just for her, for August too.

It only takes a moment when I look around to find the boy who has wormed his way into my heart. He’s laughing as he tugs on Mom’s hand while pointing to the dance floor. Mom has the biggest smile on her face and a blush covers her cheeks.

That’s not the funny part. No, what has me choking back a laugh is the scowl on Dad’s face. His eyes are narrowed and he’s saying something to August. If I had to guess, he’s telling the boy, who is on the cusp of becoming a man without even knowing it, to stop trying to steal his woman.

August won’t listen though. He’s turned the charm up when it comes to Mom and she’s loving every second of it.

I’m damn proud to call these two my parents. Not only have they opened their hearts to Macklin, which I knew would happen the moment they met, but they’ve done the same with Delaney and August. Dad can protest all he wants, but I can see the love shining in his eyes for the boy who is both like a son and a brother to me.

“So, she’s the one, huh?” I glance over to find Carson looking between the show August and Mom are putting on and where Delaney is chatting with Morgan and Aubrey.

Fuck, she’s gorgeous. There’s a light and warmth inside of her, one I’m drawn to. She has no idea how she has blown into my life and twisted me up from the inside out. The need to move toward her, to bask in her glory is almost too much to ignore.

But I also love watching her from a distance. It gives me the perfect vantage point to see the way she shines her light on everyone she comes in contact with. It’s in the way she listens with her entire focus when they’re talking. It’s in the way her eyes soften with understanding. It’s in the way she always endeavors to meet them where they are instead of expecting something they’re not capable of giving.

I’m in awe of her. Pure fucking awe.

“Yeah,” my voice is rough with the gravity of how she makes me feel. We haven’t said the words, not outright, but I’ve hinted. “She’s it. They’re it. My family.”

I love Delaney.

I love August.

The thought of them leaving, of not being able to wake up and know my day will be filled with them, has the darkness I’ve worked so hard to keep at bay threaten to take me under.

“I’m happy for you,” Carson murmurs.

Something about the tone in my sister’s voice has me turning in her direction and studying her, really studying her. There’s a sadness in her eyes I’ve never seen there before. Every time Carson’s been back in the last few years, she’s always seemed so happy to be out in the world on her own.

“What’s wrong?” My question comes out more like a demand, but I can’t help it. The thought of anyone making my sister sad or scared or anything less than amazing has me seeing red.

Carson gives me a small smile and shakes her head slowly. “Nothing.” I shoot her a look which tells her exactly what I think about her lying bullshit, and she heaves out a very heavy sigh. “Honestly, big brother,” her smile is brighter as she teases me a little, “nothing is really wrong.” Her focus goes back to the tent and everyone in it, everyone that she put in her rearview since she left Wintervale. “It’s just that Fletcher finally has Eden back in his life. They have a little boy and I’m sure it won’t be long until they’re adding another little one to the mix. Then there’s you,” she glances at me before looking over at Delaney, “finding your other half. Before too long Huxley will find whoever has been put on this earth with the ability to put up with him.”

I snort out a laugh and shake my head, not at all surprised when I find our youngest brother flirting with one of the ladies working the wedding. “I doubt that’s going to happen anytime soon,” I tell my sister honestly.

“I don’t know,” she muses, “I feel like a change is coming for him. He needs something to ground him and give him something of value to care for. Whoever she is will make him a better man, that much I can guarantee.”

When I focus on my sister again, there’s a wistful expression on her face and my heart clenches. “Are you happy, Carson?”

She looks up at me with glassy eyes as she swallows hard. “I’ve gone and done what I wanted to do. I learned from the best and I’ve built a strong portfolio, but I can’t deny something is missing. I guess,” she shrugs one shoulder, and pure sadness tinges her words, “I thought there would be more in my life by now. I thought I couldn’t find love in Wintervale and so I chasedmy dreams to become the tattoo artist I wanted to be. I’m just not sure what I have to show for it right now.”

My heart aches for my sister, but I’m not sure what to say to her. She’s always been the kind of person to find her own path. If I try to get involved and lay some brotherly advice on her, she’ll probably balk and then do the opposite.

Since I’m at a loss for words, I do the only thing I can—I pull her into a hug and hope that she can feel how much I love her. It’s not just me either. We all love her, but she’s the one who has to open her eyes and see what she could have here. I can’t force her to do it.

What is up with stubborn women?

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