Chapter 22 #2
“She’s twenty-one,” I explained. “I was a young parent.”
My gut clenched, as I waited for the judgment to descend.
Rory’s mom placed a hand on my shoulder. “We’d love to meet her sometime.”
I opened my mouth and then shut it again, floored at the total acceptance.
All the hurdles I’d been worried about, had stressed over, dissipated.
My own parents had been barely involved while Harper was growing up, doing the holidays and obligations with Harper but not reaching out on their own.
And my brothers had been too young to want to be involved.
Yet here Rory’s mother was with easy invitations after just meeting me.
Seeing the age range of his siblings soothed me as well. Ollie and Cormac were both in their thirties, like me, and I happened to be familiar with both anyway. It took some of the edge off my nerves.
I bobbed my head. “Harper would love that.”
My chest expanded. The loneliness had been threatening to devour me until the night I met Rory. Bit by bit, he’d dragged me back into the light, where there was warmth and community, and I was so damn grateful for it.
“I came in to say food was ready,” a tall, blond, and somewhat familiar guy said. He scrunched his eyes. “Wyatt?”
I blinked, and a grin lifted my lips. “Hey, Noah.”
“What the fuck,” Rory said, gripping my hand tighter. “Do you know everyone in Kennett Square?”
“Contractor circles,” Noah explained. “Even smaller in a small town.”
A laugh escaped me. I was already feeling far more comfortable here than I’d expected. “Is there some unwritten rule about dating blue collar guys in your family?”
Rory rolled his eyes at me. “You know, the more you compare yourself to my brothers, the less attractive I’m finding you.”
Damn, the temptation to spank his ass roared inside me, and when our eyes met, his sparkled as if he was thinking the same thing.
Cor stepped into the living room as well, which was fast becoming too crowded. “Shit, Wyatt? What are you doing here?”
“See, this. This is ridiculous.” Rory let go of my hand to throw both of his up in the air. “I give up.”
“Oh, should I do that when you know folks at the tattoo convention?” I teased.
“What tattoo convention?” Aislin asked.
Rory shot me a dirty look, but he should be damn proud of his endeavors. God knew, I was.
“Ugh, fine. I’ll be repping Alchemy Ink for piercing at the Philly Tattoo Convention,” he said, scrubbing at his face. Pride thrummed in my chest. It was clear he was only used to joking about the negative, not acknowledging his own accomplishments, but I was happy to remind him.
“And you’re going to be amazing,” I responded, leaning in to press a kiss to his cheek.
“Well, damn, that’s sickeningly sweet,” Liam said, his arms crossed.
“Why didn’t you say anything, Rory?” his mom asked, a sharp inquisitiveness in her eyes that suggested she knew but wanted him to explain. Having raised Harper, I was well aware of the tricks.
He shrugged. “It’s not a big deal. Not like I’m out there saving lives or have some crazy invention like Dec’s sure to roll out with.”
“Knock that shit off, Rory,” Aislin said, poking him in the chest.
His mom placed a hand on her hip. “If you think I’m any less proud of you for doing piercing, then you’ve misjudged me and your father. Our goal was always to raise our kids into happy and kind adults. That’s it. We’re coming to the convention to support—mostly just to embarrass you.”
“Hell yes, Brannon takeover,” Ollie called out with a hoot.
“This is your fault, you know,” Rory mumbled at me, even though his eyes were the slightest bit glossy.
“I take full responsibility,” I responded.
“Is anyone going to come get this food?” another guy stepped in, slender like Rory but with glasses. “I’m going to dig in if you all insist on yammering in here. Dad’s already started on the cinnamon rolls.”
“No fucking way,” Aislin said, bursting past us to bolt for the door, presumably leading to the kitchen. “I missed out last time.”
“That’s Declan—my older brother and Noah’s boyfriend.” Rory leaned in to explain. “Though, we should follow, because we’ll miss out on the cinnamon rolls otherwise.”
“I’m okay,” I said. “Not much of a sweet tooth.”
Rory arched a brow. “You know if I leave you behind, my siblings will mob you with questions, right?”
I glanced around the room, but the second Aislin led the charge, most of the folks who had crowded in the room started migrating into the kitchen. “Who’s left to mob me?”
“Oh, shit.” Rory yanked me forward, and a grin lifted my lips as I stumbled after him.
We rushed through what looked like a welcoming kitchen—all wooden surfaces, white walls, and bright light streaming in through the big windows—and then burst into the total chaos of the dining room.
Food was splayed out everywhere on a big oaken table, and no one bothered to sit down.
Everyone just grabbed a plate and started filling it.
“So, this is Rory’s boyfriend?” An older man stood at the opposite end of the table, who I presumed was Rory’s dad. Truthfully, I could’ve guessed from the similar features to both Ollie and Cormac, all broad shoulders, big build, and bearded. “Come here, son.”
This entire family made me feel young again, and I adored it.
When Harper had moved out, when Susie and I had decided we were getting a divorce, I’d thought for sure I was entering into the twilight years of my life.
We’d raised a human being together, and even though we hadn’t been in love for most of that relationship, it at least hadn’t been a hostile one. We’d co-parented well.
However, now I had this chance to start over, and it was thanks to Rory.
I slipped my hand into his as he grabbed one of the cinnamon rolls, and we walked over to his dad.
“How’d the two of you meet?” his dad asked, and I groaned internally.
“I gave him a piercing,” Rory said, waggling his brows. Dammit, this was going to be a thing from here on out. Except I sort of loved it. Dating someone like Rory demanded a unique story, and ours was perfect.
“Based on that look, I’m fine not learning about the piercing,” his father said, shaking his head.
His gaze switched to me. “I don’t know you, but I know Rory.
If anyone is good at discerning someone’s character, it’s him.
He would never have brought you here if he wasn’t a hundred percent serious. ”
My chest warmed, and I squeezed Rory’s hand again. These people had a way of welcoming me in that burrowed deep into my soul.
“Don’t make me regret bringing him around,” Rory muttered.
Aislin punched him in the shoulder as she settled beside us. Rory had somehow finished the cinnamon roll while we’d been talking to his dad, and now he grabbed a plate, loading it up for me, and then grabbed another one for himself.
“I’m glad you’re here, Wyatt,” his dad said. “Welcome to the family.”
“I’m glad to be here,” I admitted, the realization settling inside me. This was everything I’d been searching for, that I wasn’t sure I’d ever find. And with a guy I never could’ve dreamed I’d fall for—but I couldn’t imagine being with anyone else.
“If we had to weather the Brannon inquisition over significant others, then you can too,” Cor said, a smirk on his lips as he nudged Rory. “Though it helps that we’ve already met the guy.”
I couldn’t believe I hadn’t put two and two together given the shared last name, but everything with Rory had been a whirlwind romance. We’d met, he’d changed my world, and I’d completely fallen in love with him.
The truth burned inside me, one that I longed to share, even if I understood it wasn’t the time yet.
We were too new, too shiny, and I was just grateful Rory was willing to take the leap with me.
However, if I had it my way, he’d be mine for keeps.