Page 39 of Chance

"Even growing up, he would always take the blame so our dad would beat him more. When our dad died, Harley protected us by taking all the fights until we were ready to help,"he says as he looks away from me at the closed door. I wonder how many bad memories this room has for him, the house must be full of them.

"That's not your fault," I say, sensing his guilt.

"I know, but that's why I can't stop now. There are only a few fights left. Harley shouldn't have to do anymore."He looks back at me. I know he is asking permission for the fight on the weekend without actually asking.

"I understand. I don't like any of you fighting, but I get it,"I tell him, and he hugs me close.

"Thank you," he says gently before kissing me, like I’m the only person in the world, and we kiss for a long time before the door opens with a bang.

"Allie is driving me fucking mad trying to find you guys. She wants Maisy so she can open the presents," Elliot says, annoyed. His whole face is red and his eyes are narrowed as he crosses his arms in the doorway.

"You can see we are busy," Seb says, while I giggle, going red.

"I really don't give a shit about your sex life, but I'm half tempted to kill your friend if you don't get your asses downstairs," he says through gritted teeth, and I laugh, getting off of Seb's lap.

"Just because you won't fuck her, don't blame me for your Allie problems," Seb says to Elliot, who growls at him. I chuckle as Seb holds my hand, walking past Elliot in the doorway.

"Why does everyone think I want to fuck her? She is annoying as fuck," he mutters as he runs his hands through his messy hair while Seb just laughs louder, and I send a sympathetic look toward Elliot.

I remember all the times in our teenage years when I watched the way Elliot would look at Allie. There is no way he doesn't have feelings for her, and I know she would feel the same if they both got past their stubbornness.

I spend the rest of the night with my family, opening a silly amount of presents and explaining to the guys what they are. I will never forget their faces when I explained the breast pump, they looked horrified and all the girls spent way too long laughing at that. I have one lucky baby boy coming into this family.

Chapter 12

Sebastian

"Have you spoken to Maisy about this?" Harley asks as we sit in his study in the attic.

This is his favourite room in the house, and you can usually find Harley sleeping on one of the large sofas, or working on the computer he has up here. The dome-shaped room has one wall full of bookcases, filled with new and ancient books Harley likes to read. There isn’t much more up here other than the old wooden box Harley uses as a coffee table for the sofas. There are two filing cabinets in here with a lot of important paperwork in them. We always talk about important things up here, it’s just how it’s always been.

"No, not yet. She is so close to giving birth to my son. I don't want her worrying about anything,"I tell Harley as I sit on one of the sofas. Harley takes the seat behind his desk as he talks.

"Well, I believe this is a responsible decision, becoming a partner of the gym with me,"he says with a nod as he folds his hands.

"Yes, and my money for the expansion and more advertising should bring us more business,"I say, and he grins at me.

"We will wait until the baby is born before we do the expansion, and I will teach you everything you need to know,"he says, like he can’t wait.

I think he seriously can’t wait to teach me all about his business; well, soon to be ours. I haven’t been to any of my classes since I was meant to start a few months ago. Finding out about Maisy and the baby made me actually think about what I want with my life.

"Thanks. I don't think I've ever told you how much I owe you," I say, resisting the urge to look away from Harley as he frowns at me.

Harley had always been there, and now he is giving me a great chance to have half a business with him. It means Maisy can go to university or college and do what she always wanted. I never knew what I wanted to do, but she always did. She is too smart to be a stay at home mum, but if that's what she wants, she can because I will have a good job that can support us both.

"You don't owe me anything, brother," Harley says eventually, and I go to tell him I do, but Luke interrupts.

"Guys, you up here?" Luke shouts from the attic stairs.

"Up here," I shout back. Luke and Blake come into the room and drop onto the other sofa.

"How’s Izzy? I haven't seen her for a few days," Harley asks Blake. She has been staying over more and more at Blake’s now. I think Harley is missing her, but he won't say that.

"She is good. She is stuck on some massive art project and getting back to my place late so she can't drive back. I will get her home tomorrow," Blake says to Harley, who nods. His face still lights up when he thinks of my sister, and I wonder if mine does the same when I think of Maisy.

We sit, chatting about random things for a while before I drop into the conversation.

"I'm going to propose to Maisy on Christmas Day, can I get you guys to watch the baby?” I ask.

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