Page 91 of Tangled Hearts

“So happy,” I whisper back.

Roman kisses the top of my head. “Good. Then we’re happy. Let’s go get this shit done so we can all get home.”

We make quick work of everything else that needs to be done. Nic relaxes after a few minutes, and we keep an easy conversation going. It’s nice. Especially since I get to lean against Nic while we work. At first, he shifts away from me, but then it’s like a lightbulb goes off and he realizes he’s allowed to touch me. And for right now? We don’t have to hide. I’m sure The Dads will have questions and concerns, but it warms my heart that they so easily accepted things. It makes me really fucking happy actually.

I hope Holden and Julian take it as well. “We aren’t telling Holden yet,” I blurt out, interrupting Beck telling Nic a story. Three sets of eyes shoot to me. “We’re going to tell him after the fundraiser.”

Roman sighs. “The only issue I could see Holden having is the age gap. But Holden also knows we can’t help who we fall in love with.”

My heart thumps. Love? Is that what this is? Do I love Nic? I glance at him, taking in his profile. His perfect nose and his full lips, his sharp jawline, the bit of stubble there because we spent the morning in bed and he didn’t have time to shave before we left.

Yeah, I think it is. I think I do love him. My stomach flutters as a smile forms on my lips.

“We can only hope he’ll be accepting,” Nic says, reaching out to take my hand.

“I think he will be,” Beck says, glancing at our connected hands. “Do you want us to be with you when you tell him?”

I shake my head.

“No,” Nic says. “I think if I want Eli—and I do, more than anything—I have to stand on my own two feet and claim that. Claim him. Proudly. It’s no less than he deserves.”

Roman smiles, and Beck nods approvingly. “Agreed. We’d like to have you guys over next week. Would you be interested? We can have dinner and hang out for the night. Roman and I would love the opportunity to know you on a deeper level.”

I can practicallyfeelthe nerves radiating off Nic, but he nods. “We’d love that.”

I let out a sigh of relief. Two down. Two to go. Maybe everything will be okay.

Chapter 29

Nic

“Ican’t believe your dads didn’t freak out,” I say as soon as we get in the car. I can’t think too hard about how they heard us earlier, or I’m never going to be able to look them in the eyes again, but hey, a win is a win.

Eli laughs. A big belly laugh, like the fucking brat he is. “I can’t believe they heard me getting my dick sucked. Ugh. We’re never doing that again.”

Somehow I don’t believe him. I know damn well he’s going to continue to push boundaries, and I’m going to continue giving in to him because apparently, I’m a sucker for pretty green eyes and pouty lips.

My phone goes off in the console. “Can you check that?”

Eli leans forward and picks up my phone, opening the text. “Ew. It’s from Silas.”

My stomach drops. “What did he say?”

“He says, ‘I hope you’re doing okay. Call me if you ever need me. I’ll always be here for you.’” The disgust in Eli’s voice is adorable. I truly love how put out he gets on my behalf. “Can I tell him to fuck off?”

I laugh, shaking my head. “Nah, just ignore him. That’s what I usually do.”

Eli closes out of my app and slides the phone back in the console. “Does Leo ever text you?”

“No, not since the night I got into town.”

There’s a beat of silence, and then Eli hums. “Do you miss him? Like… would you take him back?”

The question hangs between us. It’s not so much the question but the insecurity in his tone. This is a conversation that we need to have face-to-face and not while I’m driving down the road, so I pull off the highway, flipping my hazards on.

When I turn in my seat to look at Eli, he’s studiously avoiding my gaze. “Look at me, baby.” He huffs out an annoyed sound, but he does what I’ve asked. “I need you to hear me when I say this, okay?” Eli nibbles his lower lip, then nods. “I don’t miss Leo at all. Not even a little, and I definitely don’t want him back.”

Eli nods, eyes wide. “Okay,” he whispers. “I’m sorry I’m insecure. I try hard not to be, but I—” He stops talking, choosing instead to bite his thumbnail.