Page 134 of Tangled Hearts
“Literally anything,” I choke out around the emotion tightening my throat.
“I want you to call HoldenCTat least once. Just one time. And then you can marry my son.”
I gape at him, then an incredulous laugh bubbles up from my chest. He just stares at me. “Oh my God, you’re serious.”
Beck grins. “You said literally anything.”
Roman’s silent for a beat, and then he bursts out laughing. After a second, I join in. Oh my God, what did I sign up for? I guess it could be worse. I could be expected to join in the prank wars the two of them have. I wasn’t kidding when I told Beck I was on my brother’s side.
“Fine,” I mumble. “Just one time?”
Beck nods. “Yep. Just one time. But I have to be there.”
“I guess I didn’t expect anything less.” I chuckle. “If he disowns me, I’m making you take full responsibility.”
“Worth it.”
Oh God. “So…”
Roman pats my hand. “Yes, you can marry Eli. Of course you can.”
I swallow hard again. “I, um—I was also hoping you guys would be okay with me taking his last name. It’s just—you’re my family, you know? And that means something to me.”
Beck’s eyes go a little glassy. I’d be concerned if I didn’t know what a sap he is. “Of course,” he breathes. “I think that would be amazing. Nicolas and Eli Hart. Has a certain ring to it, huh?”
My breath hitches in my chest. It definitely does. Although… “You know my name isn’t actually Nicolas, right, Beckett?”
Beck’s jaw drops open in playful outrage, and Roman lets out a choked laugh.
Eli
It’s loud. It used to not be this loud. But it’s not a bad loud. It’s happy. My favorite type of all-consuming noise. Wren is chasing Warren and Lexi through the house, and Uncle Holden is fussing at them to quit running. Roman is laughing at something Julian is saying, and Beck is teasing Nic.
It’s perfect. All of it.
Nic catches my eye and smiles at me. It’s my favorite smile of his. Lopsided and boyish. The same smile that used to irritate me to no end, mostly because I fucking loved it so much.
I smile back as I finish setting the table for dinner. Honestly, I’m starting to think Holden was right, and we do need a bigger table. But for now, and for however long, we’ll all squeeze in, bumping elbows and listening to the kids argue about who’s in whose space.
When we all sit down for dinner—Uncle Holden’s favorite—I can’t wipe the smile off my face.
Nic grips my hand under the table all through dinner, not letting go of me even once. Conversation flows, the kids giggle, and we all laugh. It’s everything I ever wanted and everything I thought I’d never have. God, if fourteen-year-old me could see us now. How full our life is. How happy. How peaceful.
Nic gives my fingers a gentle squeeze, then lets go, standing up. “Can I say something really quickly?”
I glance up at him, my heart tripping over itself.
“Of course,” Holden answers.
Nic takes a deep breath, his hands shaking a little at his sides. “The last year has been… honestly, one of the best of my life. And it’s because of you all. I came here looking for Holden. For my brother. For family. And I found that. With all of you.” He looks from person to person, lingering on me the longest before he turns his gaze back to Uncle Hold. “You, especially. You didn’t have to open your door and let me come in when I showed up and told you my name three times in less than two minutes. You didn’t have to open your heart to me and invite me in, but you did.”
Holden blinks a couple of times, his eyes welling up with tears.
“You guys changed my life,” Nic says softly. “You’re the best brother I could have ever hoped for, CT.”
Beck fucking loses it—laughing so hard, I’m not sure that he’s even breathing. My brain does a hard reset as I jerk my attention to Holden. He blinks twice, then his brows furrow. “What… did you just call me?”
Nic clears his throat. “Let’s not focus on that right now.”
