Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 73884 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73884 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
“So, you’re a married man now, huh?” Lachlan asks.
“Yep.”
“How long do you think it will take to get it annulled?”
“We’re not getting an annulment.” I turn to glare at my best friend to find him grinning like a fool.
“I’m just fucking with you. I heard you loud and clear at breakfast this morning. You really want to stay married?”
“To Brogan? Yes.” Lachlan doesn’t mask the shock on his face. I exhale and rest my head back against the seat. “I’ve had a thing for her for a while now.”
“Yeah, I got that, but married? You’re not even dating.”
“Because I was too damn worried about fucking it up to make a move. Drunk me had more balls than sober me, and this is my chance, Lach.”
“So, did she agree?”
“Not yet, but she will.”
“What can I do?”
“Nothing. This is all on me. I have to show her that being married to me is what she wants.”
“Is it? I mean, do you think that’s what she wants?”
“I think that she’s scared. I think that their past has made her feel as though she’s not worthy, and fuck me, but I want to be the man to show her that she is.”
“I’ll talk you up,” he says, no humor at all in his tone.
Opening my eyes, I turn to look at him to find him nodding and wearing a serious expression. “Thanks, man, but this is on me. I have to figure out how to make my wife fall in love with me.”
“Do you love her?”
“I care about her. A lot. Enough that I want to see what we can be.”
“And if it doesn’t work out?” he asks.
I glare at him, and he laughs. “It will.”
“You’re sunk, my friend.” Reaching over, he taps my chest. “You might want to look a little deeper.”
“Fuck off,” I grumble. I can’t say that I’m in love with her, but I do know I care about her, and yeah, I could see myself falling fast and hard for my wife. I just need her to give us a chance. I’ve always followed my gut instinct and my gut is telling me she’s the one. That we can do this and be happy. We can build a life together.
Lachlan and I both sleep the remainder of the flight. When we land, I rush to grab my bag, and I’m out of my seat to help Brogan and Maggie before the aisle can get blocked and she sneaks away from me.
“My place or yours?” I ask her once we’re off the plane.
“What?”
“Are we staying at my place or yours tonight?”
“Maddox.” She sighs, and I get the feeling she’s going to be sighing my name a lot.
“You promised me we would talk,” I remind her.
“My place.”
“Okay.” I nod and continue to carry her bag and mine to the parking garage. When I don’t stop at Legend’s SUV and keep going to my truck, she calls my name.
“Maddox.”
I stop and turn to look at her. “Yes, dear?” I smirk.
“I rode with Legend and Monroe.”
“I know you did, but we’re going home, baby. You can ride with me.” I watch as acceptance washes over her face. She turns toward Briar and gives her a hug, before doing the same with Forrest. I’m too far away to hear what they’re saying, but close enough to know it’s about me.
Then she kneels and tugs River and Rayne into a hug. The girls giggle before they wiggle out of her hold and take off, racing toward me. I have just enough time to drop the bags and crouch down to catch them.
“Bye, Uncle Maddox.”
Uncle Maddox.
Damn.
They’ve called me that hundreds of times, but this time, it rings more true than ever, and I’m not too insecure to admit that it gets me in the chest. My heart squeezes. These little angels have stolen all of our hearts.
“Bye, girls. Be good for your mom and dad.”
I glance up at Forrest, and he’s smiling wide. “Come on, girls. Daddy will strap you in your seats.” His eyes find mine, and he mouths, “I’m a daddy.” It's still hard for him to wrap his head around the changes in his life most days, but it’s because he loves those three so damn much.
One more hug for me, and they’re off racing toward their dad. I stand, and Forrest gives me a nod and a silent confirmation that he’s with me on this. He understands the Pearce women. He’s married to one, too, and he knows what I’m up against. His look says, “Stay strong. I’m with you, and don’t give up on what you want.”
What I want is Brogan.
I want my wife.
I want the chance to make her fall in love with me.
I remain where I am while Brogan slowly makes her way over to me. I pick up our bags and we walk side by side to my truck. I open the back door and place our luggage inside before opening her door for her.