Chapter 20
Twenty
AIDYN
One Day until Christmas
What is taking so long?
“Christy?” Isaac stops my pacing by stepping in front of me. “Can we talk to you?”
I’m relieved to see Adrian next to him instead of Zye. I’m not sure I could have handled his sass or the twirling right now. “Make it quick.”
They lead me into the kitchen, and I’m already thinking about how to get this conversation over with as quickly as possible. “Look, I’m truly sorry for snapping at Simon—”
“No. Um…it’s not that.” Isaac crosses his arms and darts a glance at Adrian. His jumpiness is getting on my nerves. I really don’t have time for this.
“What is it then?” I’m not sure what else it could be unless…my stomach sinks at why Isaac might be nervous. “Did something else of Garrett’s get broken?”
His eyes widen. “No. I swear.”
Adrian takes Isaac’s hand as he moves beside him. “Christy, have you thought about what you’re going to say to Garrett when he returns?”
This is about Garrett? “I might yell,” I say, crossing my arms. “And tell him he’s being a fucking idiot.”
“And you think that will work?”
Work for what? “It’ll make me feel better.”
They share a look, and honestly, I’ve had enough. “What’s this about?”
“You seem very concerned about Garrett,” Adrian says delicately.
What the hell? I’m done with whatever this is. “Of course I’m concerned. Do you know what it would do to Lanie to lose another person close to her?” I don’t mention that I would be devastated. I hate even talking about the possibility.
“Ah, yes. I see,” Adrian says. I’ve always liked Adrian, but now he’s getting on my last nerve.
Isaac shakes his head. “Sorry to bother you.”
Thank Christ.
As Isaac turns to leave, Adrian says, “Hold on. Just one more question, Christy.”
“What?” I snap. Isaac raises his brows at my tone, but I ignore him and focus on the prince.
“How long have you and Garrett been together?”
“Together?” My heart lodges in my throat, but I swallow my nerves.
“Sleeping together.”
Fuck. But I’m tired of lying, and I told Garrett I’d come out, so I need to be ready for this question. Blowing out a breath, I say, “Since Isaac and Jane’s wedding.”
Adrian nods. Not at all surprised. But Isaac gapes at me. “What the fuck, Christy? That was seven years ago!”
I glance at the kitchen door. “Keep your voice down.”
“How?” Isaac asks and then glowers at me. “Why?”
“Why are we together?”
“No, dumbass. Why is it still a secret?”
I almost chuckle at that. It takes a lot to get Isaac riled up. “It’s complicated.”
“Is it the same reason you pretended an hour ago that Garrett is just your brother-in-law?” He shakes his head. “The man confessed to being in love with you.”
“I was there, Isaac,” I say in a harsh tone. But none of this is his fault. I close my eyes and take a breath. “I’m trying. But it’s hard.”
“Hard? Hard?” His voice rises. “That man has been in love with you for most of his life. And you—” He shakes his head. “How could you pretend you don’t care? I’m so angry with you right now!”
Adrian wraps his arm around Isaac. “Sweetheart, let’s not kick him while he’s down. I think Christy has done enough of that himself.” He gently pulls Isaac away and turns back to me. “The important thing isn’t what you’ve done. It’s what you do next that counts.”
I nod. It’s all I’ve been thinking about.
“The easy path is only easy for so long.” His eyes catch mine. “It’s easy to pretend everything is okay. Until you’re told you have to marry a woman you don’t love and you’re absolutely smitten with a cute single dad who doesn’t believe you’re a prince.”
Isaac ducks his head. “That wasn’t my fault.”
“It was adorable. You’re adorable.” Adrian kisses him, and Isaac leans into him.
They’re disgustingly in love. And everyone knows it.
I’m surprised how much I want that. “Fine. I get it.”
“I don’t want to see him hurt again, Christy.” Isaac gives me a sad smile. “If you don’t love him, please let him go.”
“I—” Christ. Why is this so hard? “I love Garrett. Very much.”
“Then make sure he knows it.”
After they leave and I’m alone with my thoughts, I think about how serious Isaac used to be. As if he had the entire world on his shoulders. Now, he’s with Adrian and happier than ever. Love didn’t make things easier for him, but maybe it made things easier to bear.
Even Jane has gotten a second chance with her new boyfriend.
If others are upset about Garrett and me being together, that’s their problem, not mine.
I deserve to be happy with the man I love.
Garrett’s safe. He’s okay. He sent me a text telling me so. And then apologizing. But I’m restless until I see them drive up.
“They’re here,” Isaac says, pointing out the window for Simon. “I told you Uncle Garrett was okay.”
Several people rush to the hallway, but Reginald motions them back. “Let’s give him some room.”
Garrett smiles and nods at everyone as he walks through the door.
He’s wearing sweatpants and a St. Louis Blues hoodie.
His hair is a complete mess and his cheeks are red—from the cold?
Nat orders people around, asking for water and a blanket.
Ramon stares at her with wide eyes until she snaps her fingers at him. “Get to it, pretty boy.”
I’m not sure if Garrett really needs those things or if she’s keeping everyone busy. Simon brings Garrett his Captain America Squishmallow in case he wants to snuggle.
Garrett scans the room until he finds me. I nod. I want to go to him, but everyone is crowded around. He clears his throat. “Sorry I scared everyone. I didn’t realize the roads would all be covered.”
“It was a bit dramatic, Garrett,” his mother says, “even for you.”
What does that mean? Garrett isn’t nearly as dramatic as his sisters.
He accepts hugs and pats on the arm until I can’t take it anymore, and I push my way through the small crowd.
“Let the man breathe, would you?” When I’m in front of him, I look him over. He seems to be fine. “Everything okay?”
He nods. “I’m fine.” Then, in a softer voice, he says, “I’m sorry if I scared you.” He shrugs his shoulder like he’s not sure what to say. “And sorry for acting weird.”
“Acting weird? That’s what you’ve got to say for yourself?”
I rehearsed what I wanted to say to him. Planned on apologizing. But how can I do that when my emotions are all over the place?
“I just needed some time.”
“You weren’t answering your phone, Garrett.”
“It was dead.”
I nod, tugging on his shirt in the guise of checking him over, but in reality? I just want to touch him. I keep my voice light, not furious like the one in my head. “They found your car on the side of the road. In a blizzard.”
He blinks. “It’s not snowing that hard. Aidyn, look at me.” When my eyes meet his, he says, “I’m fine.”
I nod. “It’s been almost ten years since I lost my Emily. And I miss her every day.”
“I wasn’t thinking. I know it must be triggering—”
“Triggering? It’s not— I can’t go through that again, Garrett. I can’t lose the love of my life, twice.”
“I know— Wait, what?” His eyes search my face, and I smile.
“Tomorrow’s Christmas, love. And you didn’t get your last official Advent present.”
“You can give it to me later, Aidyn.” His eyes dart around the room. Does he think I don’t want to do this?
“I was terrified I lost you— Stop apologizing.”
His mouth snaps shut, and he nods. But his eyes are alive.
“So no, I don’t think I’ll be waiting for another time. If anyone doesn’t like it, that’s tough. I’m done caring about what others think.” I put my hands on my hips. “Now, do you want your present or not?”
A smile slips out. “I do want it. Very much.”
I place my hands on the sides of his face. “Merry Christmas, Garrett.” I brush my lips over his. I hear a gasp in the room, and I’m fairly sure it’s his mom. The squeal sounds like Lanie. “Now that we have that taken care of, it’s my turn to apologize.”
“You don’t—”
“Shush.” He stops talking, but his brows rise.
“I’m sorry it’s taken so long for me to get my head out of my arse.
” He bites back a laugh. “And just so we’re clear on this.
I fucking love you, Garrett Bishop.” This time, I don’t hold back.
I kiss him with everything I have. We keep it kid-friendly but barely.
“Let’s cover your eyes, Simon.”
“Why, Daddy?”
“I’ll tell you when you’re older.”
I can’t help but pull away then to glare at Isaac. “That’s funny. But I’ve seen you and Adrian going at it—”
“Okay, Christy,” Isaac says with a laugh. “That’s enough. I think we’re good.”
Garrett puts his arm around me as we accept congratulations. Zye spins a few times, and Jane hugs both of us. There’s also the occasional question that we dodge for now. And since I can now stare at the man as much as I want, I do just that.
Then Garrett shakes his head and kisses me.
No one seems upset. Garrett’s parents just look confused. And that’s fine. They’ll either work it out or they won’t.
Lanie gives us both hugs. “It’s about time.”
So I hug her for another moment longer.
“If it isn’t all gone, I think this is the perfect time for pie.”
Everyone heads to the kitchen after Garrett’s announcement, but he holds me back, and we wait for the room to clear. “You know what this means, right?”
I grin at him. “Tell me.”
“Tonight, we get to sleep in the same bed.”
“Good point,” I say, giving him a kiss.
“And then tomorrow night and the night after that for the rest of our lives.”
“That’s a very, very good point, love.” As I stare into his eyes, I don’t remember ever being this happy. And I push away the guilt that thought brings. Things were great with Emily.
The worry that this too could be cut short is still there, but I won’t let it control me.
My focus is on now. This is our time. Our love. Garrett and Aidyn.
And I don’t want to waste another moment.