Page 123 of Between Now and Forever
“And I’m not a very good painter,” Carter says. He tucks himself under my other side. “So Dylan said he’d paint if I let him pick the color.”
Dylan looks at me and smiles.
Black and blue. Of course.
“It looks good, guys,” I say, checking out the car the three of them have been working on for two weeks. I’m not sure what a derby car is supposed to look like. But even if this is all wrong, my guys made it. It’s perfect. “You guys are a good team.”
Dylan and Jay exchange a grin. I think my heart might burst.
Carter bounces up and down like a pogo stick.“Jay ...”
Dylan nods.
Jay smiles.
What’s going on here?
“Mom,” Dylan says, “I have to tell you something.”
“What?”
My curiosity is piqued—and not in a good way. I stare at Dylan, waiting for the ball to drop.
“I know we still fight sometimes, and I can still be a—”
“Jerk face,” Carter cuts in.
“Be nice,” I tell my youngest.
“Whatever,” he says.
Dylan laughs. “Dad would like this. And it makes me happy to see you so happy.”
“Aw,” I say. “That’s so sweet, Dylan.”
Carter shoves off me and stands by his brother. “And I want everyone to know I’mveryhappy. Like, very, very happy. I like watching movies with you guys, teaching Jay to play baseball.”
Jay sighs, making me grin.
“I like going for hot chocolate at Betty Lou’s with Jay in the morning before school,” Carter says. “I like when you tuck me in at night, Mom. I like when you cook us dinner and we all sit at the table. I like it when—”
“That’s enough,” Dylan says under his breath.
Carter covers his mouth with his hand. “Oops. Sorry. That’s all.”
Jay kisses the side of my head and then stands next to Carter.
The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, and butterflies take flight in my belly. My three guys all look at me with anticipation.What the heck is going on?
“I’ve already talked to the boys about this,” Jay says as the boys beam at his side. “I love you, Gabrielle. You gave me another chance at life. You welcomed me into your family, and—”
“And we want Jay to be a part of our family,” Carter says.
What?My heart thunders so hard in my chest that I think I might pass out.
Dylan looks at the sky. “We practiced this. How do you not remember when you’re supposed to go?”
“Because I’m a kid.” Carter throws up his hands, almost hitting his brother in the face. “I’m doing my best here, okay?”
