Page 135 of Could Have Been Us
Gray steps forward, his hand clasps my shoulder. “You all right?”
“No, but I will be.”
He nods once. “I can’t imagine, and I won’t pretend to, but just know that you have a family who loves you and is always here to support you. You’re not alone, Jack. You don’t have to hide yourself away in this cabin. Your family is here to lean on.”
I’ve always considered myself part of the Parkerson crew in some way, but hearing him call me family, it’s a feeling I can’t describe. With Stella, I am found, as though the world finally makes sense, but when Grayson says I have a family, I have meaning. People who are here.
My father leaving after my mother’s death was hard. I struggled to understand what the hell I did wrong.
My father, the strong man who took care of everyone, was gone. He couldn’t function anymore. He drank and gambled. He left, giving up everything because it was easier than fighting for it.
I’ve been lost for a long time, wondering if I could have a family. I hadn’t realized that I always have.
“Come on,” Stella says, extending her hand to Amelia. “Let’s go see if we can find cookies or KitKats.”
Grayson groans. “KitKats for lunch? Come on, Stell.”
I laugh and watch them go off.
Stella spoils Amelia rotten, but their relationship is so much more than that. She’s been there for that little girl every step of the way, never letting her down and being someone she could rely on.
I stare at her, wondering what in the world I ever did to deserve her. How can I ever make things right for her? She should have everything, and I want to be the man who grants every wish she’s ever had.
“What’s that look?” Grayson asks.
“I love your sister.”
He snorts. “No shit.”
“I’m going to marry her.”
A plan starts to form, and I know exactly what I want to happen. It may take a little luck, but I’m going to make her hopes come true.
“Today?”
I shrug. “I might.”
Grayson laughs. “If I know my sister, she might just be crazy enough to do it.”
“She should have a wedding. The one she’s dreamed of.”
“Then I hope you’ve been very smart with your money, my friend. My sister plans parties like no other, and I would bet my ass that woman is going to want one hell of a party.”
“It would be worth it to see her smile. I guess this is me asking you for permission,” I say to him, the mood shifting to a more serious tone.
“Stella wouldn’t give a shit if you had permission, but I know it matters to you, and you have it.”
“Thanks, Gray.”
Grayson shakes his head with a grin. “I should’ve pushed you to her a long time ago.”
I look to him, confusion building. “What?”
“You guys are right together, and I think I’ve known that for a while. I . . . I don’t know, man. She’s my sister, you know? I didn’t want to lose either of you, so it was better to ignore every weird look the two of you shared.”
“So you did know?”
“I had a hunch. Especially when you practically became a monk.”
