Chapter 9
CHAPTER 9
ANDREA
A ce kisses me again. His lips sear mine as the music swells around us. A new song starts, and Ace wraps his arms around me, drawing me closer and leading me in a slow dance. The VA Center is magical with color and light, but all I can focus on is the solid warmth of his chest against mine.
“Everyone’s staring,” I whisper, acutely aware of the eyes tracking our every move. Hanna and Lindy hover near the dessert table, not even pretending not to watch. Olivia’s mouth hangs slightly open in shock.
“Let them stare.” Ace’s voice is low and intimate, his breath warm against my temple.
Heat floods my cheeks—partly from the kiss that still tingles on my lips, partly from becoming the center of attention at my brother’s wedding. I catch fragments as couples dance past us.
“...always knew they would...” “...Jax is going to...” “...about time he...”
Exhilaration battles with terror in my chest. This is everything I’ve wanted—but is it real? Really real?
“You said we’d have to hide from Jax.” The words slip out before I can stop them, my hands resting lightly against his chest. “In the greenhouse.”
His steps falter slightly, but he doesn’t break rhythm. “I was wrong.”
“Why the change of heart?” I need to hear him say it, need to understand what’s different now.
His eyes hold mine, no trace of his usual deflective humor. “I thought I was being funny, but I was just scared. All I did was hurt you, and I’m so sorry about that. I’m never making that mistake again.”
He’s saying all the right things, but can I trust them to last? Three years of watching him retreat whenever Jax appears has taught me caution. Pretty words and some panty-melting kisses can fade when tested against reality.
“This isn’t the first time we’ve been here, Ace.” I keep my voice steady, though my pulse isn’t. “Remember Leesa’s birthday party last year? We were talking all night, and the moment Jax walked over, you ran.”
His jaw tightens. “I remember.”
“And the Fourth of July picnic, when your hand was on mine under the table until Jax sat down.”
“I know.” His grip tightens as if afraid I’ll pull away. “I’ve been a coward. I put Jax’s respect and my own father’s demands above what matters most.”
“What changed?” The question hangs between us, weighted with three years of almost-moments.
“I did.” His fingers brush a strand of hair from my face. “When Jax gave his vows today, all I could think was that he’d found something worth risking everything for. And so have I.”
My body surrenders before my mind does, leaning into his touch. The protective walls I’ve built against disappointment waver. I want to believe him.
“You once said you didn’t need a protector.” Ace’s voice drops lower. “You needed a partner. I want to be that for you, Andrea. If you’ll still have me.”
The weight of the moment settles over me—this isn’t just between us anymore. It’s real. It’s public. After years of longing, we’re finally doing something about it.
“I want to believe you.” My voice catches on the words. “But I’m scared, Ace. Scared that this will fall apart the moment it gets difficult.”
“Look at me.” His hand tilts my chin up. “I’m not running this time. Not from Jax. Not from us. I meant what I said—I’m in love with you, Andrea. I have been since the first time I saw you. There was never any doubt in my mind that you were—are—the woman for me, but I was filled with doubt whether you wanted me. I had just…when I came here, both Jax and my dad gave me rules to follow, and I was scared of the consequences if I didn’t. And Jax’s number one rule...”
“…was to stay away from me,” I finish. I love my brother, and when I was younger it felt special in a way, that he was so protective of me. But now I’m realizing he was holding me back, by warning Ace, and all the men before him who dared look at me, to stay away from me and by putting the idea in my head that I needed his approval for who I share myself with.
“Three years have been wasted because I was afraid.” His forehead touches mine. “I’m not afraid anymore.”
I hear a commotion and when I glance over Ace’s shoulder, I spot Jax. The change in his expression is immediate—confusion giving way to something darker as he says something to Leesa and moves in our direction. She grabs his arm, trying to stop him, but he shakes her off.
Here we go. Again.
Every instinct screams to step back, to defuse the situation before it escalates. To be the responsible one, the peacekeeper. But I’m tired of letting my brother dictate if a man can talk to me, or dance with me at a wedding.
Instead, I slide my arms around Ace’s neck, closing what little distance remains between us.
“He’s coming,” I whisper against Ace’s ear.
His body tenses, but he doesn’t release me. “Do you want me to let you go?”
There’s no hesitation to my response. “No, I don’t. I choose you, too.”
* * *
“Outside. Now.” Jax’s voice cuts through the music, his focus laser-fixed on Ace, not me. The command in his tone is familiar—the same voice he uses with his crew when there’s no room for argument. It makes him a good leader but a sometimes unbearable brother.
The dancers around us fall back, creating a small circle of empty space. Whispers ripple through the reception hall. My brother’s jaw is tight, his shoulders squared for a confrontation he clearly intends to have away from prying eyes.
“Whatever you have to say, you can say it here.” The words leave my mouth with surprising steadiness. I step slightly forward, not completely between them but refusing to be sidelined when I’m just as much a part of this as Ace.
Jax’s eyes flick to me, momentary surprise breaking through his anger. “This isn’t about you, Andrea.”
“Of course it’s about me!” I say, my voice strong and loud. I stand taller, my body humming with adrenaline. “And I’m not letting you drag Ace outside like he’s done something wrong.”
For three years, I’ve watched this same scene play out differently—Ace backing away whenever Jax appeared, me staying silent to keep the peace. Not tonight. This isn’t just Ace’s test. It’s my moment to stop letting Jax control my life.
“You promised me,” Jax says to Ace, voice lowered but intensity undiminished. “The one condition.”
“I know.” Ace doesn’t back down, doesn’t look away. His hand finds mine, and his fingers weave through them tightly. “I respected that promise for three years. I can’t anymore.”
“Because of a dance?” Jax’s eyebrow raises.
“Because I’m in love with her.” The simple declaration sends a shock wave through me, even after everything that’s happened tonight. “I respect you, Jax. I owe you everything. But this isn’t your decision.”
My heart pounds against my ribs. Three years of wanting these words, needing this stand. Ace isn’t just confronting Jax—he’s confronting the fear that’s kept him at a distance.
“You can’t just—” Jax starts.
“Yes, he can.” My voice is stronger now. “And so can I. I’ve let this go on too long, Jax. Let you decide who’s good enough, who gets too close.”
My brother’s expression shifts, surprise replacing anger for a moment. I’ve never pushed back against his protectiveness, not directly. My silence enabled this dynamic between them, between us.
“Andrea.” His voice softens, and for the first time, I recognize genuine concern beneath the control. “You don’t understand what you’re getting into.”
Leesa appears at his side, her white dress shimmering as she lays a gentle hand on his arm. “Jax, it’s their choice.”
“He’s not steady.” Jax’s concern breaks through his anger. “He’s a good worker, but he’s reckless. You’re my little sister. I have to protect you.”
The vulnerability in that statement hits me harder than his anger ever could. For all his overbearing protection, all his interference, it’s always been about love. Misguided, perhaps, but real.
“And I always will be your sister.” I step closer, my voice gentler now. “But I’m not little anymore. I know who Ace is. I know who I am. I don’t need protection,” I pause as I look at my brother. “I need you to trust me. And you need to trust Ace.”
The tension in the air shifts and eases a little.
“I make my own choices.” I continue, looking between them and feeling confident in a way that’s new to me. “And I choose Ace.”
Jax’s gaze moves from me to Ace, measuring, assessing. Something passes between them—but eventually, Jax nods.
“If you hurt her—” Jax begins.
“I won’t.” Ace’s response is immediate, unhesitating.
“But if you do,” Jax continues, “being fired will be the least of your concerns.”
It’s not quite approval. But it’s acceptance, however grudging. If there’s one thing I know, it’s that Jax will have to get used to this, regardless of whether he ever thinks Ace is worthy of me.
“Understood.” Ace nods, respect in the gesture rather than submission.
Leesa joins us and tugs gently on Jax’s arm. “It’s our wedding, remember? Let’s get back to it.”
My brother hesitates, then offers a stiff nod. “We’ll talk more tomorrow.”
As they move away, the crowd disperses by degrees, conversation gradually rising to normal volume. The music shifts to something upbeat, drawing dancers back to the floor. The moment of confrontation passes, leaving Ace and me in a bubble of aftermath.
“You okay?” Ace asks, his thumb tracing circles on my palm.
“Better than okay.” And it’s true. Despite the tension, despite the public spectacle, I feel lighter than I have in years. “Thank you for standing up to him. I’ve waited a long time for you to do that.”
“I should have done this years ago.” His voice is filled with sadness.
I step closer, tilting my face up to his. “I needed to know you’d fight for us. And you needed to believe you were worth fighting for.”
His eyes search mine, wonder and hope mingled with lingering disbelief. “How long have you known?”
“Known what?”
“That I’ve been in love with you since the day Jax introduced us.”
“I hoped.” My hands slide up his chest to rest on his shoulders. “But I couldn’t let myself believe it until you proved it.”
“And now?” His voice drops lower, private despite the crowd around us.
“Now is when I tell you I love you, too.” I rise on tiptoes and kiss him gently.