Page 107 of Stuck with my Mountain Daddies

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, my voice catching as I sat down across from him. My hands twisted uselessly in my lap. “I’m sorry for all of this. I didn’t mean to drag you into something so messy.”

Garrett didn’t look at me right away. He stared at the floor as if it might offer him an answer. Or at least a place to hide.

After a long pause, he shook his head slowly.

“It’s not just you,” he murmured. “We were all in this. All of us.”

His voice broke on the last word, barely holding together. And when he finally lifted his eyes to mine, they were red-rimmed.

Tired. But clearer. Braver, even.

“I just…” he exhaled, his voice thin. “I hate that you’ve been carrying this on your own. And I hate that we don’t even know where we stand right now.”

“I don’t either,” I whispered, my throat tightening.

There was a beat of silence, like the whole room was holding its breath.

Then Beckett stepped closer, his voice low and even. “You don’t have to know everything tonight. But you’re not alone in this, Riley. We’re here for you, no matter what.”

I looked up at him, my heart thudding painfully against my ribs.

And then Asher came to stand beside Beckett. His jaw was tight, but his eyes were soft. Uncertain but unwavering.

“He’s right,” Asher said. “Whatever you decide. Whatever happens next. We’re here.”

Garrett let out a trembling breath and closed his eyes. “Yeah,” he said hoarsely. “Same.”

Something cracked in me at that. And before I could think, I reached for Garrett’s hand.

He didn’t hesitate. He squeezed back immediately, his fingers rough and familiar.

Beckett’s hand landed on my shoulder, solid and warm. And Asher knelt beside me, his touch light on my knee, like he didn’t want to startle me.

Ever since everything had started unraveling, I hadn’t breathed until now.

It wasn’t fixed. It wasn’t simple. But it was something.

Beckett’s thumb brushed over my shoulder in a slow, calming stroke, and I instinctively leaned into it, soaking up the quiet strength in his presence.

Asher’s grip tightened slightly on my knee, his gaze locking on mine with a look that saidI see you, even if the words wouldn’t come.

Garrett’s hand stayed in mine, strong and unmoving. As if he was afraid everything would fall apart if he let go.

Tears welled up in my eyes. My voice came out in a whisper. “I’m really scared.”

Beckett crouched in front of me then, his large hands gently framing my face. He tilted my head toward him, forcing me to meet his gaze.

“We’ve got you,” he said, fierce and unwavering.

And then he kissed me.

Soft, but sure. His lips brushing mine in a way that sent my heart careening.

I melted into it, my body sagging with the weight I’d been carrying. The tears I’d been holding finally spilled over, sliding down my cheeks as his mouth lingered on mine, careful, comforting, but full of something deeper, too.

When Beckett pulled back, he caught a tear with his thumb.

And then Asher lifted my chin toward him. His eyes searched mine, stormy and soft all at once.

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