Page 79 of I Choose You
We made our way into the kitchen. My father wasn’t kidding. A full roasted chicken, potatoes, glazed carrots, bread rolls, and a salad were scattered around the table. We passed the food around as everyone made their plates.
Dad grabbed Sheila’s hand and nodded to her. Her answering smile was full of nerves again. I shot a questioning look to Wyatt sitting across from me. He seemed to have clocked the tension too. He shook his head, clearly no more in the loop about whatever this was than me.
They had been together for months now, and I couldn’t think of a single time any one of us would have made her feel anything less than welcome. Why was she so anxious all of a sudden?
“Everyone,” Dad started. “Sheila and I have some news.”
Immediately, my eyes went to Sheila’s hand. No ring.
All eyes were on them, waiting to hear what they had to say. Jane squawked loudly, breaking the tension that had been building.
“Sheila is moving in,” Dad said with a rough swallow.
I raised my brow, catching Luke’s eye. He did the same.
Wyatt leaned back and threw his hand around Maeve’schair. “Fuck, Dad. I thought you were going to say you were sick or something.”
“Right,” I agreed. “I didn’t see an engagement ring. I figured pregnancy was off the table… No offense, Sheila…”
“None taken,” she laughed.
“You scared the shit out of me,” I finished.
“Seriously, I think we figured out the living arrangements when we walked into a totally different house,” Luke added.
“I know it’s a lot of changes. I want you to know that I’m not trying to erase any memories you’ve shared here.”
“Sheila,” I chided. “This house has needed an overhaul for a long time.”
Everyone loudly agreed.
“Can we keep eating now? I’m starving,” Wyatt said.
“And this food smells delicious, as always,” Maeve said.
I ate, chatted, and laughed all through dinner, but my mind was on Claire. Seeing my father settling down with Sheila was great. I couldn’t deny that I wanted that for myself too. Not just to settle down but to settle down with Claire. She had seen the broken pieces of me, the jagged fragments and sharp edges, and smoothed them out like sea glass. She was the best damn thing that I never wanted, and I wasn’t ready to let her go.
We all left Dad’s—and Sheila’s—house together. The idea of sitting in my house, alone, was less than appealing. For a long time, that was exactly how I wanted it, but after having Claire in my space for months, I didn’t like the quiet quite as much anymore.
“You guys busy? Want to come by my house for a drink?” I asked.
“Yeah, sure. I’ve got some time,” Luke said with a shrug.
“Doll?” Wyatt turned to Maeve. “Whatever you want to do is good with me.”
“I’m exhausted, and I want to get Jane settled for bed. But you go with your brothers,” she said, giving him a quick kiss.
Wyatt wrapped his arm around her, hauling her to him. “You sure?” he asked, his voice low.
“Only if you promise to wake me up when you get home,” Maeve said, looking at him with undisguised heat. Wyatt tipped her chin up with his fingers, wasting no time before capturing her lips.
“Jesus. You’ll be apart for like two hours,” I grumbled. Was I jealous that my brother was making out on my father’s front lawn with the love of his life? Absolutely.
Wyatt hopped in my truck while Luke followed us to my place. I unlocked the front door and strolled in, my brothers right behind me.
“Christ, brother. Your place looks like Dad’s,” Wyatt laughed when they walked in.
“Did Claire move in with you?” Luke asked.
