Chapter 23
Cooper
I went back to work, feeling a little embarrassed to have cleaned out my office only to return a week later. The Sterlings had said I needed to figure out what I wanted, but what did that matter if the person I desired didn't return the sentiment?
The sign on the front door had been removed, and a new one was commissioned that read Sterling Brothers and Kimbell Contracting. In the meantime, there was a temporary sign that made me feel good every time I walked into the office.
They'd already changed the letterhead and email signature line.
It felt good to see my name next to the Sterlings as if I was truly an equal partner.
I'd been content to be behind the scenes.
I hadn't realized how much it affected me to not be listed.
I accepted it, but internally, it reinforced my belief that I was somehow less worthy than the Sterlings of owning and being involved in the business.
But now, I was a true partner. I already earned an equal share of the business, and everyone would know that.
I wasn't sure what to do about Aspen. Her brothers had said not to do anything if I didn't think I was worthy of her, and I wasn't sure that was something I could fix overnight. Did my name on the door really change anything inside?
Wasn't I the same person I'd always been? A boy scared that his dad was going to show up at any minute and take everything I'd worked so hard for? Maybe there was a reason I was okay with my name not being on anything. Then Dad wouldn't know to come after me.
There was always a possibility that he'd given up on the life of stealing from his family, but I had a feeling we were always a backup plan for him.
I hadn't gone to Sterling family dinner the last two weeks, thinking it would cause unnecessary drama.
I was hoping to get a feel for where Aspen’s head was at. I wasn't sure how to approach her and apologize. It seemed too easy to text and ask to talk.
I'd never been in a relationship where I cared when we broke up. We usually went our separate ways, and I was fine. But this time, I was walking around like a zombie, trying to do the same work but missing important details and finding myself thinking about her all the time.
Love was all-consuming and had the power to wreck me. I'd been willing to walk away from my job, my livelihood. The thing that held me back from talking to her was that conversation with her brothers. They'd issued the ultimatum that I couldn't be with her if I felt unworthy.
That's where I was stuck. I wasn't sure how to get around that.
When did someone feel worthy? Was it even possible for a guy like me?
Wasn't it enough that I was in love with her?
Now I had to heal that little boy inside who never felt good enough.
That felt like an impossible feat. What if I never believed I was worthy?
I drove to the Sterlings' family home later than usual. I didn't want to be alone with her parents. What did they think about us dating?
I parked next to the row of red trucks with the new logo. I waited there for a few seconds, unsure what to do next. Should I go inside, or was this a bad idea? Maybe I should have talked to Aspen alone first, saving myself potential embarrassment.
When Maria appeared on the porch, I sighed, getting out of the truck. I approached her, my stomach sinking. Maybe she didn't want me here.
I spoke before she could. "I can go."
Her brow furrowed. "Why would you do that? You haven't been here in two weeks."
I looked away, unable to hold her gaze. "I wasn't sure if you wanted me here after everything."
Her hands went to her hips. "You think that dating my daughter changed how we think of you?"
"I betrayed you." I couldn't think of a worse thing to do to the family that had always been there for me.
Maria shook her head.
Matt came outside, closing the door firmly behind him. He stood on the porch, assessing me for several long seconds. Finally, he asked, "You love my daughter?"
That had become very clear the last two weeks. I was miserable without her. "Yes, sir."
His brow furrowed. "Then why aren't you inside begging for her forgiveness?"
"I wasn't sure if it was the right thing to do. The guys said I had to feel worthy of her, and I'm not sure I do. Not yet." I wasn't sure I ever would feel that way.
He placed a hand on my shoulder. "You never feel like you're truly worthy of the woman you fall in love with, and that's a good thing. It keeps you working hard to keep her."
I hadn't thought of it like that before. I didn't have to have all the answers yet. But I needed to be willing to grow and evolve.
Ford opened the door. "Are we having a family meeting outside?"
"We were just having a nice chat," Maria said, and I felt the warmth in my chest spread that Ford had referred to me as family.
Maverick and Morgan pushed past Ford to join us on the porch. The door was open now, and I could see Hudson, Lincoln, and their women watching us curiously.
Just then a small sedan pulled into the driveway, blocking everyone in. The paint was peeling on the hood, and there was rust on the bumper.
"Who's that?" Penny asked as everyone filed onto the porch.
Aspen waited in the doorway as if she was unsure whether she should disappear or join us.
My dad got out of the car, and my stomach dropped. I couldn't escape. He was blocking my exit.
"Who's that?" Ayla asked.
"You should take her inside," I said to Angela, who immediately complied.
I couldn't relax with everyone standing outside to witness this showdown with my dad. I moved off the porch, hoping to head him off and to keep the conversation between us.
He wore a white shirt that looked like it hadn't been washed in a while, jeans with holes in them, and scuffed boots. Not that he ever held down a job or did actual work.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, a warning note in my voice.
He took in the family standing on the porch, then smiled. "You know, I always thought it was funny that you worked so hard to be the hired help. But then I saw your name on the sign. Moving up in the world."
He had been watching me closely, waiting for the right time.
I was desperate for him to stop talking. "You need to leave."
An easy smile spread over his face. "Now. Now. I figured if your name is on the door, you're making an equal share in the business and all that. You have money to share with your down-on-his-luck father."
My jaw tightened. "I'm not giving you another penny. If you don't leave, I'll call the police."
He scoffed. "And tell them what? You don't want to talk to your dad?"
I sensed Aspen stepping off the porch and standing a few feet away from me.
I didn't need her to fight my battles for me, but more importantly, I didn't want her to hear any of this.
He was my greatest shame, the person I'd always hidden from my new life.
I preferred when our paths didn't cross, but Dad was here, blowing up everything like he always did.
Maybe that's why I never minded that my name wasn't on the sign. Then Dad couldn't possibly covet what he didn't know I had.
"I don't talk about you. I don't even think about you." Or at least, that was my goal.
He gave me a pitying look as if he didn't believe me either. "Now, that's no way to talk to your father. The man who gave you life."
"You had a limited role in my life growing up." All he'd ever done was take things from me. My mother's love and attention, our money, and food.
He took another step. "That's not how I see it."
Matt moved closer as if to intervene and protect his family.
I held my palm up to stop Dad from moving any closer. "There's nothing here for you."
"That's not how I see it. This here's a nice house. There're several Sterling brothers' businesses listed, and you're on one of them. There seems to be a lot of money to go around. You should support your parents." He raised his voice, the sound carrying across the lawn to the porch.
"You were never a parent, and you certainly never supported us. I was the one who was around to help Mom and Emery after you'd take money from us and disappear."
Somewhere behind me, I heard a gasp. I didn't turn around. I didn't need to see the pitying looks.
"You need to leave, or I'm calling the police." Matt came to stand next to me. "Cooper's been like a son to me, and I won't let you bully him on my property."
I'd like to say that I could handle my father, but it was nice to have Matt's support, especially since I always looked up to him.
Was this what the guys were talking about? I needed to allow myself to be supported. It wasn't about being a lone wolf anymore. I had the Sterlings at my back, and I wasn't ashamed to admit it. It felt good to let them in, to let them see my greatest vulnerability, my father.
Now that Dad was front and center in my life, I could easily see that I wasn't anything like him. He showed up only to take from his family, whereas I was there for other people. I took care of my mother and sister, and I was always there for the Sterlings, my clients, and friends.
"You're not welcome here. I don't want to see you at Mom's or Emery's either," I said firmly.
Hudson stepped forward, flanked by the rest of his brothers. We made a formidable sight, all standing together in silent support. "If we hear that you bothered Mrs. Kimbell or Emery, you'll have to deal with all of us."
"No more freeloading off Mom. She deserves to move on from you." I was still angry, but the irritation was easing because I had so many people supporting me and my family.
The best thing I'd ever done was introduce Emery to the Sterlings. I was worried that they'd think less of me if they knew, but instead, they supported me. From here on out, I wasn't fighting their attempts to include me in their family. It felt good to be part of the Sterlings.
Dad grumbled, but he turned around and got in his car.
A whoop went up, and everyone was talking and laughing at once. I couldn't believe that he'd left. Was it truly over? Would he leave me alone this time?
I had a feeling that he didn't want to fight all of us. It was the Sterlings backing me up that changed his mind.
He peeled out of the driveway, and for the first time, I felt free of him. He wasn't a rock around my neck anymore. He was a part of my past that I'd moved on from. I turned to face their reaction. "I'm sorry you had to see that."
Maria hugged me, and I patted her awkwardly. It was rare that she gave me a hug. She seemed to sense I'd rebuff the attention. "We love you. When are you going to get that through your thick skull?"
I chuckled as she pulled away. "I think I'm getting that now."
Matt held out his hand, and when I took it, he said, "Welcome to the family, son. You've been a part of it for a long time, but I don't think you truly believed that."
"I do now."
He nodded, letting go of my hand. "Glad to hear it."
Maria and Matt went inside, and the crowd parted so that Aspen stood at the base of the stairs. What did she think of my father now that she'd seen him in action? Had she decided I wasn't worth the trouble?
Everyone slowly filtered inside, the guys touching my shoulder as they passed, a sign of silent support. They were okay with me dating their sister. I just wasn't sure if Aspen would be.
Had she liked me better when I was a secret? Would she accept me stepping fully into her life? I wouldn't accept anything less.
I stepped closer to her, feeling more inside my body than I ever had before. I wasn't questioning my right to be here. I was a good man, and I deserved everything I ever wanted, and that was Aspen Sterling.
I hadn't prepared for this moment. I didn't buy a ring or plan a proposal. But this moment felt bigger somehow. This was a declaration that I wanted her. "I told you I loved you. But that was before I knew who I was."
"And who are you?" she asked, her head tipped to the side.
She looked absolutely, achingly beautiful.
My throat was tight. "A good man. One who deserves everything he wants in life. Who knows he's absolutely worthy of everything he has and everything he desires."
She chuckled softly. "And what do you desire?"
"You, in my life, my bed. My present and my future."
She took a step toward me. "That's awfully cocky of you."
"I don't think I've been cocky enough in our relationship. I thought I had to keep this hidden." I gestured between us. "But I was wrong. Our relationship belongs in the light for everyone to see and celebrate."
Her lips twitched. "You have a way with words, but how do I know you're sincere?"
I stepped closer, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. "I'll prove it to you every day if you give me another chance."
Her eyes flashed with emotion.
"What do you say?" I asked as my heart beat harder.
Her forehead wrinkled. "You're not worried about what my brothers think anymore?"
"They said they supported our relationship." I'd keep the rest of the details to myself. "I just had to figure out what I wanted, and I have. I want you. Now and forever."
She tipped her chin up slightly. "You're in this for real this time? No more secrets? No more hiding out at home?"
"I want to take you out and show you off. I want to spend every moment that we're not working together. Now that I let you into my heart, I have so many things I want to do. So many things I want to show you."
She smiled. "Okay."
The relief flowed through my body, making my muscles weak. "Yeah?"
She wrapped her arms around my neck, and I swear I heard someone yell for us to kiss.
I grinned, not looking at the windows. "They're watching us, aren't they?"
"We should probably give them a show."
I was on board with that, so I dropped my lips to hers, hearing the cheers through the windows. I poured everything into that kiss, my promise to her that I'd love and protect her forever.
And when I finally lifted my head and looked into her eyes, I said, "I love you."
"And I love you. So much."
I lifted her and twirled her in a circle, and she let her head drop back, laughing.
I couldn't believe that I'd gotten this lucky.
I never would have thought that Aspen Sterling could be mine.
But now the entire world was full of possibilities.
I could have everything I ever wanted. I'd never take her for granted.