Chapter 38

Finn

“ A re you sure you want to do this?” Ash glances over at me from the passenger side of the truck, his hands clasped together on his lap, and apprehension pinching his brows.

I chuckle. “Yes. Why wouldn’t I be sure?”

“Well, it’s kind of a big deal, Finn.”

“They already know.” Climbing out, I round the truck before adding, “We aren’t really tellin’ ’em anything new.”

Standing with his back to the vehicle, Ash looks more nervous than I feel, which is saying something, considering he’s the one out of the two of us who’s already out. Coming to a stop in front of him, I slide my hand around the back of his neck, holding his gaze as I remember how good it felt last night to tell him I was in love with him. Then how good it felt hearing him say it back.

I dip my head and press my lips to his, swallowing the soft sigh that escapes him as my tongue licks into his mouth. The one that has his body relaxing against mine, like my kiss takes all his worries away.

“Ewwww!” Tucker’s little voice sounds behind me.

Ash’s body tenses all over again. “Shit.”

I can’t hide the smirk on my face as I take a step back and turn toward the porch. Standing on the top step, barefoot and wearing nothing more than a t-shirt and underwear, Tucker is watching us with a smile on his face.

“Mornin’, Son,” I drawl as he bounds down the steps and runs over to me without a single care for the gravel underneath his bare feet. Tucker is a ranch kid, through and through. He squeezes my leg in a hug before moving to do the same thing to Ash, who’s looking more panicked than when we arrived here. My dad saunters out a moment later, resting his shoulder against the doorway as he watches us. Nodding my chin toward him, I say, “Hey, Dad.”

“Grandpa, Daddy and Ash were kissin’ when I got out here!” His face scrunches up in mock disgust, but he can’t hide the grin.

Dad chuckles, looking from my son to me. “That so?”

Poor Ash looks like he’s silently praying to the gods to let the ground swallow him whole, but this is the whole reason we came here this morning. To tell them, to finally have everything out in the open. So, even though my stomach is in knots and my heart is clear in in my throat, I don’t let it show.

“Actually, yeah,” I murmur, holding my dad’s gaze before letting it drop to my son, who’s still holding onto Ash’s leg. “Ash and I wanted to tell y’all somethin’.”

“What’re you tellin’ us?” Hollis asks, as he appears out of nowhere with Tripp and August in tow. I bite the inside of my cheek and glance toward Ash. I can practically feel the nerves rushing off him in waves.

“Daddy’s ’bout to tell us he looooves Ash,” Tucker cuts in. My heart pounds as all eyes drift toward him. “But you already told me that, ’member?”

“You did?” Ash gawks beside me.

“Yeah.” Tuck nods. “At the grocery store, I told Daddy that I loved you, and he said he did too.”

I scan the yard, taking in all the eyes focused on me and Ash. My stomach flips, and my palms are sweaty, but I can’t help but notice how none of them are watching us with disapproval, or even shock.

“He’s right,” I say, thankful my voice doesn’t crack. Taking Ash’s hand in mine, I glance up at my dad, holding his stare for a moment before I look down at my son. “Ash and I are together. He’s my boyfriend.”

Tucker’s smile takes over his whole face as he looks from me to Ash.

I meet my dad’s gaze again and add, “We’ve been seein’ each other for a while now, but we wanted y’all to know now that it’s, you know…official.”

Mirth twinkles in my dad’s eyes, and when I look toward my brother, I find the same expression. Tripp looks like the cat that got the canary, standing next to Hollis.

“Well, if that’s all, we oughta get inside before breakfast gets cold,” my dad drawls from the porch. A deep chuckle rumbles from his burly chest. “What? You think we didn’t already know about you two before Violet made a scene here last night?”

My gaze finds Ash’s, who looks equally as confused as I do.

“Tucker, go set the table for us,” Dad barks. As soon as my son’s out of earshot, he fixes his gaze on me and Ash. “Day of the fire was a dead giveaway,” he mutters with a barely-there smirk curling one side of his mouth. “The way y’all hugged each other when you realized you were both okay.”

As I meet Ash’s gaze, he’s chewing on the inside of his cheek, trying not to smile. At least he doesn’t look so freaked out finally.

“That day aside,” my dad goes on. “You act like I don’t know you like the back of my hand, Son. I saw the way you looked at him.” He tips his head toward Ash, imploring gaze never leaving mine. “Whatever your reason for keepin’ this to yourselves, I’m glad you told us now. I’m happy for you both.”

The sincerity in his tone nearly knocks me off my feet. Ash’s hand tightens around mine, and when I turn my head and meet his gaze once more, I’m not at all surprised to find his mismatched eyes misty and his cheeks a radiant shade of pink. I admire how Ash shows his feelings. He’s not afraid to cry or be vulnerable. As a man who’s grown up in Texas, working a very “masculine” job, for lack of a better word, showing emotions can oftentimes be frowned upon or looked at as a weakness. I’d like to think being around him the past few months has helped me tap into my emotional side too.

“Me too,” Hollis adds, strolling over to me and throwing an arm around my shoulders. “It’s ’bout damn time you let yourself be happy, brother.”

“I was happy,” I scoff.

“You know what I mean.” My brother winks before slapping Ash on the back. “And between you and me—and no offense—you’re a much better person for our Finny boy than your sister.” Hollis winces dramatically, causing Ash to chuckle. I don’t miss the sadness in his eyes, though, at the mention of Violet.

“She’s not all bad,” he says. “You’ve all just happened to see a not-so-great side of her. I’m hoping she’ll come around, eventually.”

Squeezing his hand, I murmur, “She will.”

I can tell he’s not sure if he can believe that, but he nods and smiles anyway.

“Alright, boys,” Dad calls out, clapping his hands together. “Get your asses inside and let’s eat.”

Tucker insists on sitting between me and Ash, and he’s wearing a huge shit-eating grin the whole time we eat. There was no doubt in my mind that Tucker would be okay with this, given how open he is about his love for Ash, but there was a small part of me that was slightly nervous. There’s been nobody serious since his mom, who he doesn’t even remember. Introducing your kid to your partner is a big deal. I’ve never wanted Tucker to meet everybody who kept my bed warm, never wanted him to get attached to someone who wouldn’t stick around in the end. With Ash, though, I know he’s here for the long haul. With Ash, it’s different; I feel confident about that.

After we eat and I help my dad clean up the kitchen, Ash takes Tucker back to the house while I run a few errands. I purposely kept said errands vague, mostly because I wasn’t sure how Ash would react, but also because I don’t want him to get his hopes up in case this goes badly. My stomach is in knots as I park in front of Violet’s house and walk up to the front door. There’s a real possibility she’ll either slam the door in my face or not open up at all. But for Ash, that’s a risk I’m willing to take.

Bringing my fist up, I knock, my heart beating chaotically inside my chest while I wait. Thankfully, after a moment she opens, and I’m choosing to think it’s a good sign that she doesn’t immediately slam it shut.

Her eyes narrow. “What are you doing here?”

“Can we talk?”

She watches me for a moment, not saying anything. I can tell her first reaction is to tell me no. If I had to guess, I’d say Violet isn’t used to being turned down or not chosen. And I’m willing to bet it’s probably a bruise to the ego. Finally, she blows out a breath, rolls her eyes, and opens the door wider. “Fine. Come in.”

Inside the house, I take a seat on the couch while Violet chooses to remain standing. Alright then.

“Well, talk,” Violet huffs as she folds her arms over her chest.

“Ash is hurt, and he hates the idea of y’all not bein’ okay.”

Her eyes narrow into slits. “Maybe he should’ve thought about that before doing what he did, Finn. I don’t really know what to tell you.”

“Don’t be like that,” I mutter, annoyance flaring inside of me at her flippant attitude.

“Excuse me?”

“He’s your brother, Violet.”

She scoffs. “I’m well aware who he is to me, thank you.”

My hands tremble with the restraint I’m showing. Every part of my being is thrumming with a need to yell some sense into her. She’s being immature and petty, and Ash doesn’t deserve that. But yelling at her isn’t going to make anything better, and I run the risk of Ash not forgiving me for it. So, blowing out a steadying breath, I stand up, holding her gaze.

“Listen, I’m sorry. I didn’t want you to find out the way you did, and I know Ash didn’t either, but what’s done is done. You’re standin’ in the way of your brother’s happiness, though, and I can’t watch you do it and not say anythin’. He doesn’t deserve the way you’re treatin’ him.”

Violet doesn’t say anything, arms still crossed over herself, but her jaw flexes, giving away how she’s feeling, so I continue.

“Your opinion and approval mean a lot to him, though I don’t really understand why, since from the outside lookin’ in, it appears you don’t give a shit ’bout his opinion?—”

“That’s not true,” she snaps.

“Regardless,” I cut her off, holding up my hand. “He cares what you think, and it’s eatin’ at him that y’all ain’t talkin’ right now. You need to fix it, Violet.”

Her eyebrows raise as she juts her chin out. “You’re not the boss of me.”

“You’re right, I’m not,” I mutter. “But whether you like it or not, I need you to hear me when I say this is a forever thing with Ash. It’s not some quick fling, Violet. I’m in love with your brother, and I don’t see this endin’ any time soon. Believe me when I say I’m sorry for hurtin’ you. I should’ve opened my eyes and seen how much more into me you were than I was.” She winces. “And I don’t say that to be mean. I thought we were on the same page, and it’s my bad for not seein’ what it was for you. I never meant to lead you on, but don’t take your anger toward me out on your brother. He doesn’t deserve that.”

“And I deserve watching my brother take my leftovers?”

“Knock it off, Violet,” I bark. “You can’t honestly be that self-absorbed that you can’t see how bad Ash feels, and how much he wants to make it right with you. He’s spent his entire life feeling less than beside you. He’s happy now; can’t you be happy for him too? Be mad at me all you want, I can take it. But fix shit with your brother. Be the bigger person and hear him out. Be happy for him, support him, and acknowledge the part you’ve played in him feeling the way he has for so long. Own up to it, Violet.”

Some of the tension in her shoulders relaxes, but the twisted-up look on her face remains. “How the hell was I supposed to know how he felt when he never told me?”

“Don’t play dumb,” I grit out. “Yeah, he might not have told you in so many words, but you’d have to be blind to not realize how he felt. I didn’t even know y’all back then, and I clocked the way he felt right away.”

Having said everything I wanted to, I walk toward the door, hand coming to the knob. Before I leave, I turn toward her and say, “You’re absolutely right, Violet. I’m not the boss of you, and frankly, I don’t need you to like me. But he does, and you need to make it right with him. If you have even a shred of human decency inside of you, like I think you do, you’ll do the right thing.”

Staring at me, wide-eyed, lips parted and forming an O, she doesn’t say anything as I walk out the front door. I don’t know if she’ll listen to me and make things right with Ash, but at least I can say I tried.

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