Page 52 of Could Have Been Us
“Really?” I ask, turning to see what my eldest brother is focusing on. Ah. Yes, Delia. “I guess it’s a man thing.”
Jack’s head jerks back. “What is?”
“Being stupid and letting the woman you love pine for you.”
“Sometimes there are reasons.”
“None of them are good enough.”
“Life with you is going to be interesting, isn’t it?” Jack asks as if he doesn’t already know the answer.
“Always.”
“Good.”
I smile and slide my fingers through the hair at his nape. “You have no idea how much I’ve wanted this. Us. I’ve waited and hoped for so long that we would figure it out.”
There’s a slight tinge of hesitation in his eyes, and I know this thing with Grayson is weighing on him. Jack doesn’t have any family, the Parkerson brothers have basically adopted him, and I know that being with me is a risk he’s struggling with.
“Jack,” I call his attention back to me, “I promise that if Grayson or any of them . . . well, if they aren’t . . .” The words lodge in my throat. I’m going to offer him an out because the only thing worse than not having Jack is hurting him. “If they won’t support us, I won’t let it destroy your friendship. I’ll walk away.”
“No,” he says with an air of finality.
“I’m serious.”
“And so am I. You were right when you said that we weren’t doing anything wrong, Stella. Once Grayson gets over this, it will be fine. We will be fine. For twelve years, we’ve stayed apart, and I’m not doing it anymore. Christ. I’m not even sure I could if I had to.”
My lips turn up, and I want to kiss him right here in front of everyone, but I don’t have to make that choice because Jack does. He kisses me quickly and softly while my entire family watches.
I hear Oliver’s voice above the rest. “And so it begins.”
Chapter 15
Stella
Jack and I are official. I’m still struggling to wrap my head around it, but there’s no going back now.
As soon as the kiss ends, I can actually feel the stares of my brothers. I’ve dealt with their overprotective bullshit since I was born, and as much as they’d like to think I give a shit about what they think, I don’t.
I wrap my arms around Jack’s middle, rest my head on his chest, and walk to the edge of the dance floor where Oliver stands. I might not care what they think, but I also know Oliver is the least likely to be a complete asshole.
He laughs as I approach. “Chicken shit.”
“I went with the safest option.”
“You just want me to take them on.”
There is some level of truth to that. “Which you’ll do because you love me the most.”
Oliver can’t deny it.
“Jack, I have to admit, that took balls.”
“I just figure we get it all done at once,” he says, gazing down at me.
I hope he knows what he’s asking for because before we can say anything else, Joshua and Alex approach.
“Did I see what I thought I saw?” Josh asks with his arms crossed.
