Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 50872 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 170(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50872 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 170(@300wpm)
Huddy’s hand on my shoulder tightens, and my other brothers get out of their chairs and circle around the conference table to come toward me. Beau is the first to ask, “What can we do, Austin?”
I shrug, not knowing what to tell them. “I moved in with her.”
“At the trailer park?”
My eyes flare at Ford. “Don’t be a snob.”
He rolls his eyes. “I’m not. What can we do? There has to be something.”
“Nothing. There’s nothing anyone can do. It’s ultimately up to her to rest. It’s not like I can force her to quit her job or to sit down and prop her feet up.”
Lucas leans against the table. “I don’t understand. We all love Ally. Hell, she’s been a part of our family since you were in middle school. I know she’s your best friend, but she’s always been like a little sister to us. We can’t just stand by and do nothing.”
I throw my hands up in the air. “I know that.”
Ford crosses his arms over his chest. “I don’t understand. You love her.”
I don’t even attempt to deny it. I do love Ally and as more than just a friend.
And then Ford looks at me pointedly. “And she loves you, too.”
“She doesn’t love me.” I say it with force, but even I can hear the hope in my voice.
Ford plants his feet and tilts his head. “Okay, if you believe that, then what are you doing? You’ve told everyone that will listen that you’re marrying her and she’s having your baby. If you believe that, believe that she doesn’t love you, then what are you doing?”
I ram my hand through my hair and shake my head. “You don’t understand.”
Huddy interrupts. “Then explain it to us.”
“I thought I could let her be with someone. I thought I could stand by and let her have her family with someone else. I want her to be happy and to have everything she wants, but I can’t let her go. I fuckin’ can’t let her go.”
Beau’s bellow surprises us all. “Then don’t! Don’t let her go!”
All of us turn to him. He’s the most mild mannered of all of us, and this kind of reaction from him has my jaw dropping. He doesn’t notice or seem to care. “Fuck, Austin. We’ve all seen you together. You love each other. Everyone knows it… you know it. She probably feels like you’ve had this change of heart because you’re feeling sorry for her or some shit. She doesn’t realize you’ve been a coward all these years. She doesn’t realize you’ve always been in love with her and have kept your relationship platonic because you’re a pussy.”
Ford steps between Beau and me and puts his hands up between us. “That’s enough, Beau. Look, Austin. Whatever you need from us, whatever Ally needs from us, we’re here. You can fix this, brother.” He wraps his hand around the back of my neck. “Trust me, do whatever you have to do to fix this because the end result is worth it. Love is worth it.”
I want to be mad. They’ve cussed me and called me names, but I’ve deserved every one of them. I deserve all of this. “I know. Fuck, I know it’s worth it. She’s worth it. I need to go. I need to check on the shipments going out today before I go home. And I need to check on Ally.”
Each of my brothers takes a turn hugging me before I walk out. They’re the only ones that can cuss me one second and hug me the next, but I wouldn’t trade one of them for anything.
And I know they’re right. I can’t fuck this up. I need to fix it because I know that Ally and I are meant to be together. It may have taken me awhile to get my shit together, but I can see how good we can be together. I just have to convince her to give me a chance… and then make sure she never regrets it.
Chapter 7
Ally
It’s after work, and I’m exhausted. I feel as if I can barely lift my head off the couch. Austin cooked dinner, plying me with protein and vegetables. He’s waited on me hand and foot, refusing my offer to clean up since he cooked, and insisted I sit here and rest. I should be in a good mood. My blood pressure is in the normal range, I’ve been fed, and I have nothing to do until I have to be at work tomorrow, but I can’t seem to get myself out of this funk.
I’m sure it has nothing to do with the fact that Austin is walking around my house without his shirt on. Has he always looked this good? I wave my hand in front of my face because it feels like it’s gotten at least ten degrees hotter in here in the last few minutes.