Page 101 of My Three Hometown Hard Hats
I blink, tears tracking down my cheeks.
“I was a complete idiot to let you walk away, but that’s never happening again. I want you by my side through every stage of life, even when we’re old and gray.”
I smile at him, tilting into his palm.
“I love you so much,” he says, kissing my temple. “You. That’s all I want. Just you.”
My throat feels impossibly tight as I lean into him. He kisses the top of my head one more time before turning me toward his brother.
“Hey, you,” Brooks says, his smile allowing me to drag in a much-needed breath.
“Hey,” I get out even if it’s raspy as shit.
He grips my hand with his free one that’s not holding the ring. “I never really thought falling in love was something that would happen for me, but then you crashed into our lives and put all of that to shit.”
His eyes fly to Evelyn and Austin. “I know. I know. I’ll put a dollar in the cuss jar,” he says before Evelyn can tell him. I snort out a laugh.
He takes a quick breath, focusing himself again. “I think I fell in love with you after that first kiss. There’s just something about your heart that makes sense with mine.”
I nod, knowing exactly what he means. There’s something about our connection that can’t be described with words. It just is.
“I don’t ever want to wake up not knowing that you’re mine. I want that every day for the rest of my life. Plus, I don’t think I’ll look bad when I’m old. Silver fox and all that.”
Of course, his proposal would make me laugh.I lean forward, smacking my lips against his to shut him up.
Leaning back, I draw in a deep breath, trying to find the courage to look at Austin. I can already feel more tears welling, ready to spill over.
“Angel,” he says in his deep voice.
Finally, I turn, looking at two pairs of matching green eyes that mean everything to me. I know taking a chance on this relationship was probably the hardest thing he’s ever done because it put her on the line.
I don’t want a single day to go by where he doesn’t know how grateful I am for that chance at happiness he gave all of us.
He opens his mouth, but no words come out. His eyes dart between Evelyn and me. He kisses her cheek as the first tear rolls down his face.
I grab Evelyn’s hand with my left and Austin’s with my right, giving Austin’s an extra squeeze.
He looks up at the ceiling, drawing in a few deep breaths. He lowers his head, his eyes set on me.
“You are the calm in my world, Hadley. You settled the storm inside of me that was blocking anyone from getting too close. I was so scared to let you in, but I’m so thankful I had the courage to do it because you’re the best part of our world,” he says, pulling Evelyn a little tighter against his chest.
Evelyn’s head bobs. “The best,” she echoes her dad’s words.
My thumb rubs over her small hand in mine.
“Do you know what I told your brother outside the hospital that day when he was about ready to punch me?”
“No,” I say quietly.
“I told him I loved you.”Even back then?“Yes, even then I knew.”
Oh my god.
“Angel, I love you so much it hurts sometimes because the thought of losing you doesn’t just crush me. It decimates me. I just wouldn’t exist anymore.”
I choke out a sob, opening my mouth to say something. He reaches our joined hands up to my mouth to stop me.
“But I don’t worry about that anymore because I know you love her as much as I do,” he says, looking at Evelyn.
