15. Blair
CHAPTER 15
Blair
I step into the dining room, my heart thundering against my ribs. My eyes sweep across the table, taking in the faces of my family. Mom's brow is furrowed. Dad's smile doesn't quite reach his eyes. Jace… I swallow hard.
Vance's solid presence follows close behind me. His warmth radiates against my back, steadying me. I turn, meeting his dark gaze.
“It'll be okay,” he murmurs, so softly only I can hear.
I nod, drawing strength from the tenderness in his eyes. My skin tingles where his hand brushes mine.
“Blair, honey, come sit down,” Mom calls, breaking the spell.
I move towards my usual chair, hyper aware of Vance beside me. I smooth my sweating palms against my jeans.
“Everything smells great, Mom.”
Vance pulls out my chair. As I sit, his fingers graze my shoulder. My breath catches. Even the smallest touch from him sets my pulse racing.
“Thank you for having me,” Vance says, his deep voice resonating through the room.
I glance up at him. The set of his jaw speaks of determination, but I see the flicker of vulnerability in his eyes.
Whatever happens, we're in this together.
My eyes dart to Jace, and my heart sinks. His jaw is clenched, his gaze fixed on Vance with an intensity that can melt steel. The protective big brother I've always known is there, but there's something else - a simmering frustration that makes my stomach churn.
Vance settles into the chair beside me, his posture relaxed but alert.
“So, Vance,” Jace's voice cuts through the silence, sharp as a knife. “How long have you been planning this little... surprise?”
I open my mouth to intervene, but Mom beats me to it. She clears her throat, the sound startlingly loud in the tense room.
“Now, now, Let's all take a breath, shall we? We're here to enjoy a nice family dinner.” Her eyes, so like mine, sweep across the table. “Vance, dear,” she continues, “we're so glad you could join us tonight. Glad to see you made it back safe.”
Vance relaxes slightly beside me. His hand finds mine under the table, and I squeeze it.
“It was challenging, but I'm happy to be home now.”
I glance at Jace, hoping to see some softening in his expression. But his eyes are still locked on Vance, suspicion written across his features.
God, how are we going to get through this?
Dad's gentle smile catches my eye. He stands, reaching for the serving dishes with practiced ease. “Who's ready for some pot roast?”
I watch as he ladles generous portions onto each plate, his movements deliberate and unhurried.
“Smells delicious, Tommy,” Mom says, her eyes crinkling.
Dad winks at her, then turns to Vance. “Hope you're hungry, son. There's plenty to go around.”
Vance nods, his shoulders relaxing. “Thank you, sir. It looks amazing.”
My parents and Vance have always been close. Many holidays and birthdays have been spent inside this house. To be honest, my parents were the easiest people to tell because they already knew him. The man he is. And eventually my brother will understand. Once he gets past us keeping it from him, he’ll see that we are good for each other.
As Dad finishes serving, we eat. I take a bite, but barely taste it. My mind is racing, torn between the man I love and the brother I adore. Vance's thigh presses against mine under the table, solid and reassuring. But when I glance at Jace, I see the hurt in his eyes, the betrayal he can't quite hide. The silence stretches, and I take another bite, chewing slowly, desperately searching for the right thing to say. Suddenly, Jace's fork clatters against his plate. I flinch at the sharp sound, my heart rate spiking.
“I can't do this anymore. What exactly are your intentions here?”
The room goes still. Vance tenses beside me. He meets Jace's stare unflinchingly, setting down his own utensils with deliberate care.
“Jace,” I start, but Vance's hand on my knee stops me.
“It's okay, Blair,” he murmurs, never breaking eye contact with my brother. “My intentions are simple. I love Blair. I'm committed to her, to our relationship, and to our future together.”
My breath catches in my throat. We've never discussed the future so openly with anyone else before. I want to look at Vance, to see his expression, but I can't tear my eyes away from Jace's face. His brow furrows, emotions warring across his features.
“Love?” Jace scoffs, but I can hear the uncertainty beneath his bravado. “You've known each other since we were kids. How can you be sure this isn't just... nostalgia? Or convenience?”
I bite my lip, fighting the urge to jump in. This is between them now. My chest tightens as I watch the silent battle of wills between Vance and Jace.
“Enough,” Mom's sharp voice cuts through the air. All eyes turn to her as she sets down her wine glass with a decisive clink. “Jace, I understand your concern, but this interrogation is hardly appropriate dinner conversation.” I hold my breath, waiting. Mom's piercing gaze sweeps across the table, landing on each of us in turn. “Blair's happiness should be our primary concern. Not your wounded pride.”
I wince at her bluntness. Leave it to Mom to get straight to the heart of the matter.
“But Mom-” Jace starts to protest.
“No buts,” she interrupts. “I've watched these two grow up. If Blair says she's happy with Vance, then that should be enough for you. For all of us.”
Dad clears his throat. “You know, this reminds me of something that happened years ago, back when I was in the service.”
I look up, curious. Dad rarely talks about his military days.
“There was this guy in my unit, Joe. Best friend I ever had. We'd been through hell and back together.” The clinking of silverware stops as everyone turns to listen. Even Jace's scowl softens slightly. “One day, I found out Joe was dating my sister,” Dad says, his voice warm with nostalgia. “At first, I was furious. Felt betrayed, you know?”
I sneak a glance at Jace. His brow is furrowed, a storm of emotions playing across his face.
Dad leans forward, his gaze intense. “But then I realized something. If I trusted Joe with my life in combat, why couldn't I trust him with my sister's heart?”
The words hang in the air, heavy with meaning. Vance's thumb gently strokes the back of my hand.
“It wasn't easy, but I chose to have faith in both of them. And you know what? They've been happily married for thirty years now. Your aunt found someone who treats her like she deserves and I got my best friend as a brother.”
Jace shifts in his seat, conflict evident in every line of his body.
“Trust and understanding,” Dad says. “That's what family's all about.”
The silence stretches on, punctuated only by the ticking of the old grandfather clock in the corner. I turn to face Jace, my heart pounding so hard I'm sure everyone can hear it.
“I know this is hard for you. But I need you to understand something.”
His eyes snap to mine, guarded yet attentive. I push on, drawing strength from Vance's reassuring presence beside me.
“I love Vance,” I say, the words ringing with truth. “This isn't some fleeting crush or rebellion. It's real, and it's deep. But I love you too, big brother. Your approval... it means the world to me. I'm not asking you to be thrilled about this, but I hope... I hope you can try to accept it. To accept us.”
The room falls utterly silent. Even the usual creaks and groans of our old house seem to hold their breath. Mom's fingers drum lightly on the tablecloth, a nervous habit I've known all my life. Dad's gaze flicks between Jace and me, concern etched in the lines around his eyes. Vance sits perfectly still beside me.
Jace's expression is unreadable, a mask of conflicting emotions. I wait, hardly daring to breathe, for his response. His jaw clenches, his eyes fixed on his plate.
“I hear you, Blair,” he finally says. “But it's not that simple.”
Mom clears her throat. “More potatoes, anyone?”
Dad reaches for the bowl. “Please.”
He isn’t going to budge tonight, so instead of pressing any further, I opt for a chance in subject matter. “How's work been, Jace?”
He shrugs, still not meeting my gaze. “Busy. I’ve got two new recruits coming in next week. I might finally be able to take a vacation.”
I nod, searching for more to say. The conversation limps along, punctuated by long pauses and the clink of cutlery.
As we finish eating, I can't shake the feeling that nothing is truly resolved. But beneath it all, there is a flicker of hope. We're still here, still family. And maybe, just maybe, that's enough for now.