Chapter Twenty Seven #2
“They’re … a lot,” Eva jokes and steps into my side as my arm automatically comes around her waist. “But very nice and welcoming.”
Ace’s eyes drop to where my hand is, and a peaceful look settles over his face. He nods slowly, a grin stretching across his face.
“I’m happy for you two,” Ace says. “Truly. You look … right together. Like it was always supposed to be this way.”
“Ace,” I start. He hasn’t made it up to Jersey to visit yet, so this is the first time he’s seen us together in person, but he did cash in on my making it up to him with that scam of an interview he roped Eva into a few months ago.
“All good, brother,” Ace interrupts, a familiar wink flashing in his eyes as he looks directly at Eva. “The truth is, Eva … you picked the better brother.”
I stiffen. “What’s—”
“You picked the better brother,” Ace repeats, his smile widening, and he points a finger straight at her. “... for you.”
He laughs then, and any tension is gone. Eva leans into my chest, her shoulders shaking against my ribs as she looks at my twin.
“I agree, Ace,” she says softly. “But thank you.”
“You know, I thought it might be weirder than this turned out to be. Might be the fact you finally admitted who the better athlete is between the two of us, though,” Ace says, laughing loudly, stepping toward the door.
“Now, let’s go. The boys just dragged some cedar down to the bottom pasture.
We’re lighting a bonfire, and Mama said if I don’t bring the two of you, she’ll come get you herself, and you know she hates coming out here at night. ”
“Alright, brother,” I laugh, shaking my head as Ace steps out into the dark, his boots crunching on the path toward the bonfire.
We follow, and soon, the three of us walk together, talking about the wicked storm he got stuck in and the upcoming season.
By the time we reach everyone, the bonfire is a massive tower of flames.
My whole family is gathered around in a circle of Adirondack chairs and upturned log rounds.
Emma is sitting in Archie’s lap, my dad is listening to Austin explain his college registration with a patient, prideful look on his face.
My dad didn’t get the chance to go to college because he took over the ranch, which has been in my family for generations, pretty much right out of high school.
Duke must’ve had trouble getting to bed tonight, so it looks like they brought him down. He’s sitting with my mama, and her fingers are running through his blond hair as he drifts off to sleep on her shoulder.
Eva and I take a seat next to each other, but her seat isn’t close enough, so I grab the armrest and pull her chair closer to mine. She laughs as I do it, then holds her hand out when our chairs touch. I slip my hand in hers, and a peace settles over me.
The noise of my family hums around us—the laughter, stories, and clinking of beer bottles. It’s a reminder of how much I love being home. The fierce love and loyalty that doesn’t require anything in return. It’s just there.
Eva leans over, her head resting on my arm as she looks up at me. Her eyes reflect the glow of the fire, making her look more beautiful than ever.
“Aston?” she whispers, her breath warm against my shirt.
“Yeah, Honeybee?”
She looks out over the circle, her gaze lingering on my mother’s soft smile and the way Ace and Aiden are playfully arguing over which sport is superior—football or hockey. And how Jesse tries to chime in on their discussion about who the best athlete in the family is.
“I love them,” she says softly. “I love being here. I love the noise. I even love the dirt, and I love that your mom still looks at all of you like you’re still her babies.”
I tighten my grip on her hand and place a kiss on her forehead. “They love you too, Eva.”
And I mean it. You don’t do fake with the Griffiths.
“Don’t get me wrong, I love my dad and the life he’s built for us in New York, but I understand now. I understand what you were trying to protect. Being part of a family like this is different. There’s a line that doesn’t break no matter how hard things get.”
Her words hit hard.
“You’re the girl of my dreams, Eva Carrington,” I whisper into the dark silk of her hair. “You’re my everything, and I’ll spend however long I have on this earth trying to be worthy of you.”
Eva turns her face up to mine, a beautiful smile breaking across her lips as she reaches up to cup my jaw, her fingers warm against my skin.
“I know,” she says, smiling. “But I gotta ask you something.”
“Shoot.”
“Were you a leash kid?” She tries to hold in her laugh but fails.
I shake my head and laugh. I hope she never stops giving me shit.
“Now kiss me like you mean it,” she says against my lips.
I cup her cheek, and my mouth falls onto hers in a deep, unhurried kiss, not caring that my family is around us.
The bonfire roars before us, the sparks flying high into the endless night sky, but as I hold the face of the woman I love, everything else fades.
There’s no pressure, no fear, just the quiet warmth of our kiss, holding me exactly where I was always meant to be.