Chapter 25
Casey Joe
“Why we goin’ up here?” I asked as Henry steered the truck up toward the hill. I didn’t want to seem ungrateful, but I honestly just wanted to get home and see Bryce.
“Jack’s up at Hudson’s. They all wanted to see you.”
I gritted my teeth and tried not to scream.
Of course, I wanted to see my boys and best friend.
But I also wanted to see my boyfriend. Plus, Henry had Jack, Hudson had Lance.
Not like I thought Bryce couldn’t survive without me, and I knew the guys had kept him company, but if he’d been missing me even a fraction of how much I’d missed him…
Yeah, I just wanted to see him.
Henry slapped my shoulder. “It’s all good. Bryce is up there too.”
I tried not to let my son see my relief, but Henry just chuckled. I flipped him off. “Sorry, I’m just exhausted and ready to be home.”
“Home is ready for you too,” Henry said. He glanced over at me. “We’re all real proud of the work you put in at that retreat.”
I looked out the window. Comments like that did a weird mix of things in my gut. On one hand, I knew it was a compliment. On the other, I worried people at home were going to expect me to be different—like they’d be disappointed if I was still the same ol’ grumpy Casey Joe.
And I was.
I mean, I knew I was better off than when I’d left—healthier physically, emotionally, and mentally—but I was still the same me I’d been six weeks ago.
Still cussed too much, still hated going for a run, and still blunt as hell.
Sure, I was in a lot better shape, didn’t have a toxic relationship with alcohol, and liked myself a whole lot better than I ever had.
I’d even done a pretty damn good job of breaking my addiction to processed junk food.
But what happened the first time I flipped someone the bird and told them to get the fuck out of the road if they were going to drive like a fuckin’ idiot?
Or some meathead at the gym made a rude comment to a person just trying to live their best life and get some movement on the treadmill, and I had to tell the asshole where to shove the barbell?
Or when Brother Larry tried his bullshit on me and I told him to take a flyin’ leap head first into his flock’s dung pile?
Would everyone shake their heads and talk in whispers about how they’d had high hopes for me, but they’d never really thought I could change?
“I ain’t a different person,” I blurted.
Henry gave me a brief sideways glance with a raised brow.
“Just sayin’,” I muttered. “I don’t want people thinkin’ I’m some completely different person. Still me. Still gonna screw up.”
Henry slapped me on the shoulder. “No one else we’d rather you be. We don’t want you to change. Just want you healthy and happy. Screw ups and all.”
Henry pulled the truck into the driveway at Hudson’s place. For a brief moment, I imagined us all gathered around a campfire, cracking open beers, frozen puffs of laughter lingering on the air as we caught up.
And now I was the party pooper.
Damn. I’d been feeling strong and confident leaving the retreat, but each mile away from the safety of that experience had piled on a pound of self-doubt and worry.
As I climbed from the truck, I caught sight of the guys standing on the porch, bathed in the warm glow of the fairy lights Hudson liked to keep burning year-round, and took in the steaming mugs in their hands.
Wasn’t a requirement to be around me these days—and I didn’t want them thinking it was—but a hot cup of coffee on the brisk evening sounded a lot better than a cold bottle of beer.
Who said Casey Joe Riggs couldn’t change?
I snorted at the thought, but damn, how long was this back and forth between feeling ready to face the world and wanting to hide under my bed going to last?
Jack was the first to put his mug on the little side table next to the swing and throw himself into my arms. The kid was lithe and lean, nothing like the solid blocks of my boys, and the way he held me tight warmed something deep inside.
Jack wasn’t mine by blood. He hadn’t been raised by me. But that kid was a Riggs in every single way that counted.
Lance and Hudson both hugged me and welcomed me home.
“You look amazing,” Hudson offered.
I knew from the before and after pictures the retreat staff took that I did look a damn sight better than when I’d left.
I’d packed on some pounds and muscle, my skin glowed a much healthier shade than the former sick bed pallor, and there was a sparkle in my eyes I hadn’t seen since maybe middle school.
“Thanks,” I answered, trying my best not to seem ungrateful for the welcome home.
Lance slapped me on the back. “Might as well put him out of his misery.”
Henry smirked, his arm around a grinning Jack.
Hudson nodded toward my old place. “Bryce ran up to the house for a bit. Said you could meet him up there if you want.”
I was down the steps, grabbing my bag from the truck, and headed up to my house in under a minute.
“Come back for coffee if you want,” Lance teased. “We can keep a pot warm.”
With my middle finger raised, I shouted over my shoulder. “Y’all can fuck all the way off. I’ll see you tomorrow. Maybe the day after that.”
Their laughter followed me up the hill.
I didn’t care if Bryce and I had to share the house with…okay, I’d actually say fuck no if snakes or skunks were involved, but I could maybe deal with racoons, squirrels, and possibly an opossum.
I had every intention of grabbing Bryce up, holding him close, and not letting go for…well, forever if he’d have me.
The scent of the fire hit me first.
When I rounded the corner of the house, my breath caught.
Bryce.
Yellow-orange flames cast shadows on his face.
His eyes were closed, his head tipped back, and like a punch to the gut, all I could think was how absolutely beautiful he was.
Home.
The word washed over me, sinking all the way into my bones.
Not because we were at the house I’d grown up in.
Not because we were in the only town I’d ever lived in.
No.
Bryce was my home.
If he up and moved back to California, I’d have no choice but to follow.
If he said he wanted to build a new house in another county, I’d ask when he wanted to start.
Buy an RV and travel the country? Let’s do it.
Tossing my bag to the ground, I crossed to the fire in five long strides.
And then he was in my arms, pressing his face to my neck, breathing me in.
Everything was right with the world.
When his mouth found mine, I knew he was my forever.
We kissed for eternity and even that would never be enough.
Eventually, the kiss ended, but he kept me wrapped in his arms.
“I missed you so much,” Bryce whispered. “It wasn’t all that long, but it felt like the longest, hardest thing I’d ever done.”
“Longest and hardest, huh?”
He snorted and kissed me. “Did the guys tell you why I was up here?”
I pulled back to study his face in the fire light. “Uh, I was hopin’ it was so we had some privacy and didn’t risk early clients at the gym hearing us goin’ at it.” I cocked a brow. “Was I wrong?”
Bryce smiled. “Well, that’s part of it. But there’s more.” He gestured toward the house. “If you want to see it?”
Up until that moment, I hadn’t noticed the ever-present tarp on the corner of the house where the fire damage had been was no longer there.
“Well, I’ll be damned.” I took Bryce’s hand and pulled him toward the repaired corner. “When did this get done? No one thought to tell me?”
Bryce beamed. “We wanted to surprise you with it when you got home.”
“You win. I’m surprised.” I couldn’t tell with only the porch light and the fire, but it looked like the repair had been made almost seamlessly. “Does the inside look this good?”
“I think it looks better. Wanna see?”
I nodded and let Bryce lead me up the steps. When he opened the door and made a sweeping gesture with his arm to usher me inside, I couldn’t stop myself from cupping the sides of his face and kissing him.
He tasted of coffee and promises.
“This is amazing. I love you.” My words hitched slightly. “Thank you.”
Bryce rested his forehead against mine. “Welcome home.”
Somehow, the warmth and love in my chest blossomed into a fuckin’ inferno of emotions. How was I this person? How did I come out on the other side of a bunch of shit and get to fall in love? Get to call this gorgeous man mine? Get to build a home—
Just as Bryce flipped on the light switch, a realization hit me like a damn bag of bricks.
This was my home, but Bryce had his apartment.
Before he could show me the fixed portion of the house, I grabbed his hands and held tight. “You can say no. It’s probably stupid. So, fuckin’ stupid,” I muttered. “But this isn’t my home unless you’re here. I’d rather live in an apartment over the gym forever if it means living with you.”
Bryce blinked slowly.
Once.
Twice.
“What are you saying?”
“Move in here with me. Rent out your apartment. Live with me.”
Tear glistened in his eyes, and he nodded. “I brought my bag thinking I’d stay the weekend.”
“Fuck that shit.” I sealed it with a kiss. “Your commute just got longer.”
“Yeah, but I got a sexy as sin roommate in the deal. It’s a good trade.”
I let him give me the briefest tour of the newly remodeled portion of the house, the two new recliners and sectional couch, and the new appliances in the kitchen.
“What the hell? Didn’t need any new shit.”
Bryce slapped a hand over my mouth. “Shut up and accept it. The boys wanted to redo a few things. Lance got you something too.”
I narrowed my eyes. “What did that fucker do?”
He laughed and led me to the bedroom. “Brand new mattress and box springs.”
My phone buzzed.
Lance: You gotta get some blinds. I can see right into your damn bedroom.
Me: You got me a fuckin’ bed?
Lance: No, I got you a mattress. It’s good quality. It can take a real pounding. Put a towel down.
Me: Fuck off
He sent me a fuck ton of rolling laughing faces.