Epilogue
EPILOGUE
CHANCE
I was sweating bullets watching the numbers on the screen. Of course, it would all come down to the final ballots.
“You’ve got this in the bag,” Orion said as he clapped me on the back. He quickly moved over to Arick’s side, crouching down to grab a giggling Sol. The trio was adorable to watch. It made me question if kids were on the horizon for my own life.
I had a feeling I made a better uncle and friend than a father. Mostly due to my work schedule, though my fierce independence also kept me from committing to too much.
Then again, if I didn’t win the election, I’d have the spare time.
“What are you thinking about so hard over here?” Tank’s arms wound over my hip.
We were having a watch party for the election in the NightShade offices. All his guys were here, along with Emmett and Marten. Kendall and his roommates were even on a video call to make sure they had the opportunity to congratulate me on the win. Never mind I haven’t actually won anything or that they don’t live here.
The idea was sweet enough to warm my heart, nonetheless.
“Guess I’m just thinking of the future,” I admitted.
“Ah, yes. The future. It’s looking bright from where I’m standing.”
“Is it now?”
Tank grinned as he spun me toward him. His dominance was a turn on, especially considering everyone around us could see it clear as day. I loved being in charge with him too, but I’d had my fill lately.
I wanted him to take control of things. It would not only give me an opportunity to worry over the election results, but maybe it could give me a reboot of confidence since mine was clearly waning.
Caught up in my own feelings, I didn’t realize Tank had shifted until the room turned silent. I wondered for a moment if the election results had come in. Is the silence because we lost?
But then I saw him.
My big, strong man was down on one knee with a ring in his hand.
“Holy shit,” I cry out.
The room erupted into laughter.
“That’s not the reaction I expected. It’s a good start though,” Tank said. “Much better than a no.”
I couldn’t respond to his teasing. There was far too much happening inside me to get the outside working. It was like my brain and body went offline the minute he kneeled.
“Chance Sheppard, you are the love of my life. You’re the man I’ve spent years chasing down and coming back to. There isn’t another person I could see myself spending the rest of my life with. I want you as my husband, as my best friend, as my partner in all ways until we meet our end. Even then, I’d really like us to be side by side too. Preferably with me on top though.”
He winked, which had me rolling my eyes at his ridiculous request. “I’m not going to put in my will that I have to be buried under you or anything.”
“You say that like I’ll go first.”
“Well, you can be a bit of a risk taker. You do run a very successful security company, and you did just take down the biggest secret society in America, maybe even the world.”
“Woah, your brother is cool,” echoed from the laptop showing the guys down in Bellport. Kendall whispered for them to shut up, then the room was quiet again.
I took a moment to enjoy the look of wonder Tank gave me before I nodded. “You’re everything and more for me too, baby. If we could have done this years ago, I would have said yes then too. It was always going to be yes. You have my heart for this life, the next, and all the ones after.”
The room broke into cheers as Tank stood quickly and took my mouth in a vicious kiss. At his touch, the world vanished. All the people, all the noise, simply faded away.
It was only him and me.
Tank and Chance.
Two men who were always meant to be together despite the way life tried to keep them apart.
“Breaking News: Votes are in! The new mayor elect of New Roughoak is none other than Chance Sheppard…”
The sound of my name had me pulling back from the kiss sooner than I would have had I not just heard that I WON THE ELECTION.
“Holy shit.” This time, it was Tank saying the words.
I nodded along, my smile so wide my face hurt with the movement. “I can’t believe it.”
“Better believe it,” Ronan said as he clapped me on the back. “You’ve just made history, Chance. You’re the first openly gay mayor of our city. You defeated the odds.”
“And you’re going to be the first husband of the city.” Memphis’s teasing words had Tank’s brows climbing even higher.
“I guess… I guess that’s right. Wow!”
“Want to take back your proposal?” I asked with a carefully blank expression.
Tank jolted. “Fuck no! You’re mine, Chance Sheppard. First husband just sounds funny to me. It doesn’t change the fact that I want you to be mine in all the ways you can.”
“Then let’s set a date and do this thing. No more waiting. No more hiding.”
“I’m all yours,” he agreed. “The sooner the better.”