Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 46967 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 235(@200wpm)___ 188(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46967 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 235(@200wpm)___ 188(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
Beau has never been one to talk about his emotions, and this is no different. “It’s sort of hard to tell you all that my marriage is failing… that I’ve fucked up…”
Austin’s voice raises in the room. “Bullshit. Did you cheat on Natalie? No way. I don’t believe it.”
Beau looks almost pained when he answers. “No, of course I didn’t… but I did fuck up. Now I’m going to make it right. I have to.”
I’ve never seen Beau look the way he does right now. Truth is, he probably wouldn’t have confided in me, but I cornered him yesterday. I needed to talk to him after having to help his drunk ass home that night at the Whistler. I knew then that something wasn’t right. And I get why it’s hard to talk to Lucas, Ford, or Austin about it. Lucas and Ford are in brand-new relationships and involved in their own lives. I’m not sure what’s going on with Austin, but yeah, I sort of had to force it out of Beau.
“So we’re good with this?” I ask, trying to get the attention off Beau.
Ford nods. “Yeah, we’re good with this.”
As soon as the meeting is adjourned, I give Beau a big hug and make my way down the hallway. I stop in front of Ellie’s desk. “Do you have time for a walk?”
She smiles up at me. “A walk?”
I nod, and I must not be very good at hiding my worry because her smile drops, and she stands up. “Yeah, sure. I’ll just transfer the phone to my cell.”
Lilian waves her off. “You guys go. I have the phones.”
I grab on to Elle’s hand and thank Lilian.
Neither one of us says anything until we’re outside. Ellie tugs on my hand. “What’s wrong?”
I wrap my arm around her. “Nothing, I just wanted to be with you.”
She leans into me. “Well, that’s sweet, but you’re lying to me. There’s something wrong, but we don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.”
I stop walking and pull her into me. “You’re right. I don’t want to fuck this up is all. I mean, I’m going to fuck up, but you can’t leave me, Ellie. You don’t ever walk away from me. We stay and fight… for each other.”
She looks surprised. “Where is this even coming from?”
I blink. “Beau’s all fucked up. He loves Natalie so much, but I don’t know if he’s going to be able to fix this.”
“If they love each other, they’ll work it out, Huddy. I know it’s hard to see your brother like this and just stand by, not knowing what to do for him. You’re helping him so he can concentrate on his relationship and not have to worry about work. All you can do is be here for him, and you’re doing that.”
I’m quiet as I take it all in. Already I can’t imagine my life without Ellie in it. I move in front of her and put my hands at her waist. “You’re going to marry me, right?”
She laughs and playfully swats me on my chest, but I don’t budge. “Huddy, stop. You’re…”
I grab on to both of her hands and lace our fingers together. “I’m not playing, Ellie. More than anything, I want you to be my wife. I want to start our family. I want to know that no matter what, we have each other.”
She wants to say yes. Clearly, she does. “Huddy, maybe now’s not the best time. Your brother is about to take leave to try and save his marriage. Your other brother is about to have a baby. Ford and Lilian—”
I stop her. “My family knows. They know I love you, and they know I want you to be my wife.”
She searches my eyes. “You’re serious?”
I nod my head. “Yes.”
She finally nods her head in agreement. “I love you, Huddy. Yes… yes, I’ll marry you.”
I pick her up in my arms and swing her around. When I stop, I let her body slide down mine and capture her lips with mine. We’re both breathless when we pull apart. With our foreheads against each other, I tell her, “You’re my home, Ellie.”
She sighs softly, burrowing into me. “And you’re mine.”