Page 96 of Tangled Hearts
That makes me smile. God, I love this family. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” Dad blows out a breath. “Okay, so you’re good with it. Now I just need to talk to Beck.”
“Please call me when you’re done.” I know he’s going to say yes. I know it, but I still want to be included. Not because I’ll feel left out otherwise, but because if my family is growing, I want to be included. I want a part in welcoming Lexihome.I want to help her set up her bedroom. “She’ll need a makeup station. She loves makeup. And we need to make sure she has a night-light. She’s afraid of the dark.”
Dad laughs. “You really will be the best big brother. I’m so proud of you.”
I hold a hand up. “That’s enough, or I’m gonna cry. This is supposed to be a happy moment. You’re not allowed to make me cry.”
“Itisa happy moment, though,” Dad argues, swiping at his own eyes.
“Oh my God, you’re such a sap. It’s embarrassing.”
Dad scoffs. “Has anyone ever told you thatyou’re a brat?”
I can’t help but laugh at that. “Yeah, from time to time.”
There’s a new lightness in my chest. I’m so happy and so excited. “She’s going to be so happy. Hell,I’mgonna be so happy. And Dad’s gonna be super happy that he’s not the only blonde anymore.”
Dad lets out a barking laugh. “You’re not wrong.” He gives my hand another squeeze, and I gently pull away from him.
Ugh, now I have to finish writing my speech all emotional and shit. This is annoying. Only I can’t seem to wipe the smile from my face, and I can’t help the excited buzz tingling under my skin.
Our family is going to grow. Again.
I can’t believe that I get to have this life. That I’m in this place right here. And it’s all because of Roman. I peek up at him through my lashes and scrap my entire speech. I’m going to make it about him instead.
Nic
I’m about to leave Holden’s now, baby. I’ll see you soon.
Honestly, thank God. I love that Holden and Nic are getting closer, which is mildly hilarious to me, considering how much I was worried about it at first. Looking back, I’m not even sure why. There was really no reason for me to think that Nic would affect my place in my family.
Like Lexi, he’s an addition, and he takes nothing from me.
Only he’s not my family. That would be fucking gross. Nah, Holden can claim that title. Nic can be my… well, he’s kind of my everything. And that’s enough for me. More than enough.
I honestly think part of me was just worried he wouldn’t like me. That he wouldn’t want me around or that he’d consider me a nuisance. I’m not sure why my mind still always jumps to the worst-case scenario, but it’s no fun.
The sound of Nic’s Jeep pulling into the driveway makes my heart pound furiously in my chest. Will this feeling ever go away? Will I ever stop being so damn excited for him to be around me? No. I don’t think I will.
I open the door, too impatient to even wait for him to get inside, a smile stretching across my lips when he jogs up to me. He scoops me up, making me squeal in surprise, then he slams the door shut behind us and strides across the living room. He drops onto the couch, hauling me in closer, and buries his face against my throat. “Not that I mind, but what’s this?” I ask, breathless.
He inhales deeply, squeezing me even tighter. “I missed you so much. I’m sorry it was so late when I got home. Warren was telling me about his plane ride, and Wren was showing me her art project.” He sits back so he can look at me, but he doesn’t loosen his hold at all. “I love them so fucking much, Eli.”
I nod slowly, my heart pounding. I’m not sure that I like where this is going. “I know,” I whisper. “They love you too.”
“I know.” He blows out a breath. “It’s just… so fucking hard. I hate this. I almost told Holden.”
My eyes blow wide. “What?”
Nic nods, his eyes dropping. “He just… he’s so fucking good, Eli. But you already know that. He didn’t have to accept me into his family. None of you did, and I fuckinghatelying to him.”
My stomach sours because, yeah, I hate keeping the truth from him too. “I understand. Do you, uh—well, it’s almost to our month mark now. Is this still what you want? AmIstill what you want?”
Nic looks at me like I’ve grown three heads. “Of course this is still what I want, doll. Even more than I did before. I just told you that I almost told them. I’m tired of hiding. I’m tired of trying to pretend I’m not in—” His voice cuts off, and he shakes his head. When he speaks again, his voice is low and restrained. “Just a week.”
“Yeah,” I breathe. “Just a week.”
