Page 24 of Announcing Love
“I’ll try hard not to lose it.”
Artem closed the distance between them and wrapped his arms around Tip. He looked so serious, Tip couldn’t look away. “I appreciate your willingness to always work at this. That means the world to me. But don’t work so hard on me that you forget about you. I meant what I said. I love you. You matter. I want to see you thrive.”
“I really fucking love you. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
“Wow. You’ve accomplished a lot, so compliment received.”
Tip shook his head. His smile never wanted to budge with Artem in his life.
Artem kissed him. When he leaned away, a strange look passed over his face and he jumped backward. “Oh no. Holy shit. I never called Sacha to tell him what happened today at the gallery. Damn. He’s probably wondering why it’s taking hours.”
Tip kind of liked that he made Artem forget the rest of the world. “Go call him. I’ll finish this.”
With a nod, Artem grabbed his phone off the kitchen counter and headed toward the living room. Tip focused on the frying pan and tried to keep his mind clear. It had been a rollercoaster of a day. Artem wasn’t gone for two minutes when screaming and shouting from the next room had Tip dropping everything. He ran to the living room. Tip’s feet froze to the ground at the sight that greeted him. Kyle was on the floor, trying his damnedest to protect his face, while Artem beat the shit out of him with a bat.
“That’s a ten-thousand-dollar bat signed by Mickey Mantle!”
At Kyle’s shout, Artem paused and eyed the bat for a second. “Well, fuck. It was the closest thing.” He held it up like he intended to swing again. “If you’re so fucking worried about it, then don’t make me use it.”
Tip burst out laughing. He couldn’t help it. His life had just been so goddamn exhausting before Artem. Now this wild, feisty guy had taken over. He didn’t even know what was happening. There was just so much goddamn relief in him to not be alone in his struggles. While he had known Artem made his life better, the magnitude of happiness he brought truly landed on his shoulders, carrying away the pain he had kept hidden. He wanted to keep him.
“Why are you laughing? This guy probably broke my arm. I should sue.”
Artem readied himself to swing again. “For what? You breaking in? Move and I’ll give you a reason to bitch.”
He was sexy and amazing. “This is my brother-in-law, Kyle.”
Artem lowered the bat a hair. “I came in here just in time to catch him sneaking in through the window.”
“I came to plead my wife’s case. Damn. She loves you and doesn’t want to lose you.”
“Oh, be so fucking for real right now. People don’t break into people’s houses to plead their case.”
Tip didn’t have to do or say a thing. Artem had the entire situation under control. Tip just stood back and watched the show.
“Who are you to be questioning me? This isn’t your house.”
“Actually, it is,” Tip said, cutting in. He focused on Artem. “Stay.”
The bat dropped a little more. The way Artem’s face screwed up in confusion said it all. He had no fucking clue what Tip meant.
“Stay,” Tip repeated. “We’re exactly halfway between your brother and the art gallery. It’s the perfect location and the ranch you always wanted. Let’s just stay. I know how much I’m asking. It sounds a hell of a lot like I’m asking you to choose between your family and me, but I’m still asking.” Tip felt a little sick. He had never put everything on the line like this, especially with zero planning. If Artem said no, not only would it demolish Tip,but he’d also get crushed in front of his piece of shit brother-in-law. He didn’t know if his sanity would survive the blow.
To his absolute shock, Artem didn’t hesitate. “Yeah. Okay. My family will understand.”
A smile exploded across Tip’s face. “I love you.”
“This is sweet and all, but I think I might need an ambulance.”
Artem immediately flew back into protection mode. The bat was back in the air. “You’re lucky you don’t need a coroner. Don’t try me.”
Tip had to bite his lip to keep from laughing again. He would marry Artem the moment Artem relented. That was a vow.
Artem watched Tip sleep. His mind raced and his heart had taken up permanent residence in his throat. Baba had said he would know. He hadn’t expected the choice to be so blatant. It wasn’t as easy as he hoped he made it look. Tip was right. This place and this man were all he had ever wanted for himself. Inone day, his every dream had come true. Except now Artem had to tell Sacha, and his chest hurt just thinking about it. He still hadn’t called. Sacha had texted him right after Tip had fallen asleep, and he had yet to respond. He knew he needed to just do it but wow. Artem hadn’t realized how tough it would be. Unfortunately, there was no time like the present and Sacha might turn up at his door if he didn’t check in. His door. Damn.
Artem slipped from the bed and took his phone into the living room. Tip needed his sleep. It had been a terrible day for him. They’d gone to bed to cuddle, and Tip had been out like a light in under five minutes. No doubt the stress had completely wiped him out. Artem couldn’t sleep if his life depended upon it. He swore the adrenaline still hadn’t stopped pumping from that little home invasion. Thankfully, he hadn’t broken any bones, but Kyle wouldn’t likely be back.
With nothing left but to do it, Artem called Sacha. Sacha answered the phone on the first ring, sounding slightly panicked. “Artem? Are you okay?”
