Page 82 of Power Play
He confessed he loved me during our wedding night, but I hadn't said it back yet. The moment never felt right.
He shakes his head as if in disbelief. "I never thought I'd love three little words so much. I never knew love was real until you."
He rests his hand on my belly. His meaning is clear.
He felt love that night, and I hope afterwards. But now he knows what it's like to be loved.
He knows both loves now, because of me and our babies.
Chapter forty-six
Garrett
My chest feels lighter than it has in a long time. My hand rests on the back of Lacey's neck. My thumb rubs up and down the side of it, playing with the short hair there. I have to be touching her. It's a compulsion.
She chats easily with the people around us while I sip my whiskey and simply watch her.
Her words replay in my head.
"Because I believe in him. You may not, but I do. He's going to be ten times the father you ever were. He knows what unconditional love is because I give it to him. And he can't wait to love our babies just the same."
And just like that, she put all my fears to rest. I am going to love her and our babies unconditionally. It's no longer a question in my mind. I don't know how to be a father, and part of it terrifies me, but I know between her and Coach and Ski, we'll figure it out. Where I'll fail, one of them will pick up the slack. And maybe that's the way it was always meant to be. To have partners, to be a family, is to be a team. Where one has weaknesses, the others have strength, and it's not a weakness or a flaw to rely on other people to pick up your slack.
What I have with Lacey, Scott, and Ben is a home, a feeling of belonging. I tried to run at first, but Scott didn't let me. Where Scott came in heavy-handed and demanded I grow up, Ben was right behind him, softly encouraging and reassuring me that I could do it. All while Lacey waited for me to make my choice, but I always knew she wouldaccept me no matter which choice I made. That kind of unwavering faith in me shook me to my core, but it was exactly what I needed. All three of them were exactly what I needed.
And I know, going forward, no matter what challenges we encounter, each of us will play a role in navigating it. As long as we have faith, trust, and love in each other, there's nothing we can't overcome.
"Can I get you a refill, baby?" I lean over and speak against Lacey's ear. Her pomegranate mocktail is running low and I adore taking care of her. My warrior woman.
She turns, smiles, and presses a kiss to my cheek. "That would be wonderful, thank you."
Gone is the fierce woman who defended me against my father. Here is the soft, sweet, feminine Lacey. I squeeze her neck gently, letting her know I'll be right back and head to the bar.
I order another whiskey for me and a pomegranate mocktail for Lacey, but when I turn, both hands full, I'm confronted by Tiffany.
"Hey baby," she coos, running her hands up my chest. Ew. I don't want her hands on me, but my back is against the bar and both of my hands are full. I give her a tight smile and try to step out of her reach.
"Hey Tiffany, how are you?"
"Excuse me." I look up to see Lacey standing behind Tiffany. Fuck, this looks bad.
Tiffany ignores Lacey and presses her fake, hard tits up against my chest. Tiffany and I used to hook up at these boring upper-class events. Usually, a quick and dirty fuck in a storage closet or my car afterwards, but I'd completely forgotten about her or the possibility she'd be at this thing.
I try to shuffle to the side to get around her, but there are people in the way.
"Excuse me," Lacey says again, a little more force in her voice. Tiffany thinks Lacey's trying to get to the bar, so she tugs us away from the bar and continues her assault. I cringe. Fuck, I don't want this. I want to put my drinks down and remove Tiffany's hands from me and tell her to fuck off, but it's crowded and "fuck off" isn't exactly proper etiquette at these events. And etiquette was important to my mom.
"Wanna go find a broom closet, baby? It's been forever since we've had a little fun."
Before I know what's happening, Tiffany's on the floor, looking just as shocked as I am. I look up to Lacey and she simply shrugs, taking her drink from my hand.
"Did you just..." I start at the same time Tiffany scoffs and shouts in indignation.
"Who the hell do you think you are?" Tiffany shuffles to stand, but between her tall heels and long dress, she's struggling. I should be a gentleman and help her up, but honestly, that's just not who I am.
"I'm his wife," Lacey spits, disgust lacing her voice.
I can't help the laugh that bubbles up out of me. I set my whiskey down on the bar behind me. Now, with one hand free, I step over Tiffany and wrap my hand around the back of Lacey's neck, pulling her to me. "Did you just body check her with your belly?"
