Page 274 of The Storm Boys Series Collection

“You just what?”

“Paul and Derek,” he whispered.

“What about them?”

“They got married.”

“They did, yes,” I said.

I would have smiled if he didn’t look so serious. Thunder boomed in the distance and it startled him.

I tightened my hold and gave him a bit of a shake. “Babe, what’s the matter?”

“Did you ever think it was possible?” His eyes searched mine. “When you were younger, growing up. Did you ever think getting married was something that would ever happen to you?”

“Sure.”

He deflated. “Well, yes. You’re bisexual. It was always possible for you.” He shook his head and tried to pull away. “Forget it.”

I held him even tighter. “I won’t forget it. This is clearly bothering you. And honestly, what the hell? Whether I married a guy or a girl. Whether I was gay, bi or straight, why does that matter?”

His eyes searched mine and he sighed. “I’m sorry. That was... I shouldn’t have said that.”

More thunder rumbled across the sky, closer this time.

“Jem, I always pictured myself with someone forever. Like my mum and dad. I always wanted what they have.”

“I never had that. I never saw what that kind of love was like.” He shook his head. “Even when I fell in love with you, it never occurred to me that it was possible for me. Not even knowing we were going to be witnesses for Paul and Derek.” His lip pulled down, sadness filling his eyes. “Until I saw you standing there, smiling at me. And I thought... maybe. Maybe that was something we could do now.”

Oh hell.

Oh fucking fuckity fucking hell.

He put his hand to his forehead. “And maybe that was something you might want to do? With me? One day. It doesn’t have to be now.”

Thunder cracked overhead and Jeremiah turned to the storm. “Do you mind? I’m trying to have a moment here!”

I burst out laughing and sat him on the bed. “I want to show you something,” I said. “And tell you something.”

I went to my duffle bag and took out the box that had been burning a hole in my brain since I got it in the mail, and I went to my knees in front of him.

“A month ago, after we’d booked in with Paul to come here and he called me back to ask if we would be the witnesses to their wedding, I spoke to your dad. I called him...”

“My dad?”

I nodded, nervous as hell. Those bees in my chest were really trying to break free. “I told him I’d been thinking about asking you to marry me. I wanted him to know. I wasn’t asking permission, as such, but I did want him to feel included and to remind him that he wasn’t losing you.” I let out a breathy laugh. “And he went all quiet and I thought for sure he was gonna say no. But he said he was surprised it’d taken me this long. And he offered me this.”

I held up the box, but Jeremiah was stuck staring at my face.

“Jem?”

He startled. “Oh, I’m sorry, what? Did you... did you ask my father?”

“I did. I’ve been thinking about this for a while, and well, Paul and Derek kinda beat me to it, and I didn’t want you to think I was just asking you because of them. It just kinda gave me the push to do it. Anyway, your dad sent me this.”

I offered him the box again, and this time he took it. “What is it?”

It was an old jewellery box. “Open it.”

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