Chapter 26 ~
Rory ~
“Are we there yet?” Luc whines.
I snicker from the passenger seat when I glance over just as Dominc’s rolling his eyes.
“It’s been twenty minutes, fucker.”
“Language,” Alec reprimands, absentmindedly.
Apparently Luc is the worst person to take anywhere. Every five minutes since we started driving to the house, he’s asked if we’re there yet.
I sip my coffee and look out the window. There isn’t much to see other than trees and houses but I’m too hyped to read.
“Be safe.” I hug Jace tightly, burying my face into his neck. Jace kisses my temple and murmurs that he loves me.
“We’ll be there before you know it, baby.” Maverick lifts me up, my legs instantly wrapping around his waist. Mase hugs me from behind, keeping me firmly tucked in the twin sandwich.
We stay there until Alec interrupts. “Okay, guys. We’ll see you tomorrow. Come on, Sunshine.”
The twins reluctantly let me go and I kiss both their cheeks, waving goodbye to them as they get into Bear’s car.
Since we all travelled up in one car and ya know, the ambulances, Devon’s going to drop the twins and Jace at Hannah’s and they’ll drive to the house in the Hilux.
Apparently since they’re always together, not everyone has a car. It’s just not needed.
Jace and Luc organised to get the mustang towed back to Hannah’s. After the accident, it’s not in good enough condition to drive so they’ll have to get it towed to their new house.
Our house, I correct myself.
“Are we there yet?”
Before Dom can explode, I say, “Luc?”
“Yeah?” He leans forward with a hopeful look on his face.
“Shut up,” I tell him sweetly. Luc falls back in his seat and sulks, crossing his arms. Dom smirks across at me.
The second Luc opens his mouth, I knew it wasn’t going to be good.
“Sooooo, what’s going on with you guys?” Luc glances between Dom and Alec.
I can’t deny, despite my vision veering back out the window, I’m intrigued to hear their responses.
“Nothing,” Alec says shortly, shutting his computer.
“Well,” Dominic starts but Alec holds his hand up.
“Dom, don’t.”
“Alec,” Dom says with pain in his voice.
“Don’t.” Alec’s tone could cut steel. I bite my lip, wishing Luc hadn’t said anything.
“Seriously,” Luc continues, “is it us? You know we would support you guys. Our relationship with Rory aside. Neither of you are fucking happy being apart so what’s your deal?”
“Luc,” I murmur. “Maybe we should–”
“No, Rory. It’s bullshit,” Luc says softly. “They were more than friends before and now they act like they don’t want each other to the point where they aren’t even friends anymore. It’s fucking bullshit.”
“It’s not that simple.” Dominic’s eyes stay firmly open pop focused on the road and not Alec.
“What’s not simple is Rory’s decision to be in a relationship with the six of us.” Luc scoffs. I groan internally. Luc don’t bring me into this. “Either be together or don’t but you can’t say it’s for the sake of your friendship because that went out the fucking window the second you broke up.”
Silence fills Dom’s RAM. Having apparently said all he needed to in making the two hour trip as painful as possible, Luc closes his eyes, leaning his head back.
. . .
Dominic ~
I curse out Luc in my head but I know the pain in Alec’s eyes before he looks away isn’t from Luc.
God, I screwed everything up, man.
Country music softly plays through the speakers. My focus catches on the lyrics.
“Hard to love, hard to love. Oh, I don’t make it easy. I couldn’t do it if I stood where you stood,” Lee Brice drawls.
Alec stares pointedly out the window.
I knew it wouldn’t be easy to convince him that I want to be with him but I never thought it would feel impossible.
He’s so angry. With good reason.
‘I can't be your secret anymore. You need to decide what you want. I'll never stop being your friend, Dom but if that's all you want from me then tomorrow we're done and friends is all we're ever going to be.’
All we’re ever going to be. That’s what stuck with me the most.
Alec was right. We’ve never just been friends. We’ve always been more.
“Alec,” I murmur softly.
I look in the rearview mirror and see him shake his head. Fuck.
“Baby, please,” I whisper.
Rory pretends to not listen, giving us the illusion of privacy as Luc ‘sleeps.’
Seconds tick by before Alec’s eyes finally meet mine.
“Don’t do this, Dom,” Alec whispers. “I can’t deal with–” he abruptly stops but struggles to tear his eyes from mine.
“I’m sorry, Alec,” I breathe. “I know I didn’t say it before but I’m sorry. You were right—you’re always right. We’ve always been more than friends.”
Alec whispers my name, silently begging me to stop but I can’t.
“I wanted to protect our friendship but in doing so, I lost you anyway. Because I was a coward. Luc was right, it’s just bullshit. God, I could have lost you in the accident.” I shake my head. “I know I hurt you and I fucking hate myself for doing that to you but I can’t be without you, Alec.”
The second I glance back into the rearview mirror and see tears, I wish I wasn’t driving so I could pull him into my arms.
“How do I know you mean it, Dom?” Alec asks, tiredly.
“I’ve never lied to you, baby,” I tell him softly.
Alec’s quiet again. Accepting that he probably needs time to process this—Alec never makes a snap decision—I let him retreat back into himself.
I just hope he comes back to me.
An hour ticks by before Luc wakes up, asking if we’re there yet and the three of us shout at him to stop.
Rory and I burst out laughing. A faint smile ghosts Alec’s lips before it’s gone.
The whole drive I watch my rearview mirror to check we don’t get followed. As we get closer, I notice Luc doing the same.
We go through the small town that’s now our home and up the long ass driveway to the house.
Rory sits up when she sees the house, an excited smile brightening her sleepy eyes.
The exterior is a soft grey with white lining and a light coloured roof. The wrap around porch was my input on the landscaping and the guys were quick to agree.
Rory’s lips part as she stares up at the house as we get closer.
I reach over and grab her hand. “Welcome home, Sweetheart,” I tell her softly.
Tears fill her eyes and her grip on my hand tightens. Alec leans forward and places his hand on her shoulder.
Luc starts bouncing around in the backseat. “Come on,” he whines. “I want to show her around!”
Rory laughs softly and releases my hand when we park.
The construction guys must not have finished up yet because there’s a few utes here.
I shake my head at the red RAM down the end. I told them not to come.
Luc bounds out of the car like a puppy who’s been locked up too long.
Rory gets out and helps Alec. It’s awkward for him to get out of the tall car with his arm.
I slide my phone into my pocket, in case Jace or the twins call and get out.
Luc tells us to hurry up before grabbing Rory’s hand and running off. I shake my head and grin.
I’m surprised when Alec’s hand brushes mine before he enlaces our fingers. I glance across at him but his eyes are firmly on Rory and Luc. I smile to myself like a lovesick fool.
We get around to the front porch as Luc and Rory are flying up them. Rory’s eyes are here, there and everywhere—not staying at one place too long.
She walks to the end of the porch, looking out on the stunning view. Luc’s arms curl around her, his head resting on her shoulder.
Luc says something to her and she nods, leaning her head against his.
Alec and I join them. Despite it having last rained a week ago, according to the contractors, the grass is still lush and green. There’s bush and scrub off to the side but the rolling hills are spotted with cattle.
I pick up on the voices in the house and shake my head. Alec chuckles. I roll my eyes.
“Come on,” I murmur.
I open the screen door and poke my head in. The workers sitting at the counter look up with wide eyes, forks halfway into their mouths.
“Mama,” I drawl, “nothin’s gonna get done if you’re feeding em’ your cooking all day.”
My mother squeals, her head whipping around and throws down the tea towel she’s holding.
“My baby!” My mother wraps her arms around me.
“Mama!” I groan. Rory and Luc laugh quietly behind me. Alec attempts to pull his hand away but I don’t let him.
“Alec.” My mother puts her hands on Alec’s face. She looks at Alec’s arm with sadness before she focuses on our conjoined hands.
Mama puts her hands on her hips giving me a stern look. “You do what I told you, boy?”
“Workin’ on it, Mama,” I murmur when Alec shifts his feet. Thankfully she glances past Alec and sees Rory.
When Alec tries to pull away this time, I let him go.
“You must be Rory. I’m Alice, Dominic’s mama.” My mother’s hands go to Rory’s face like they did with Alec. She looks up and down Rory.
Mama makes an approving noise, her hands shifting to Rory’s hips. “Ah, perfect child bearing hips! Helen said she calls the first-born but I think we can come to an arrangement. A friend of my son’s is a friend of mine.” Mama’s hands pat Rory's waist before releasing her.
Rory looks at me unsure whether to take Mama seriously. Unfortunately…she is.
“Mama,” I scold, “leave Rory alone.” I kiss Rory’s cheek and she shifts closer to me like I can protect her from my crazy mother.
“Luc!” My mama makes a point of pulling Luc into her arms.
Mum takes her role of being a second mother to Luc very seriously, starting with a motherly hug. Luc ducks, having to lean down to hug my mother who’s at a similar height to Rory.
“How are you, sweetie?” Mama asks softly.
“I’m good, Alice,” Luc murmurs.
The contractors slink past us. Kellan, the lead hand tells me to come find him when I want a rundown.
“Where’s Dad?” I ask Mama who rolls her chocolate eyes, her frizzes shaking on her shoulders in light brunette waves.
“Those darn heifers got out again. I told that man, don’t go buyin’ fence jumpers!” My mother’s drawl deepens as she gets riled up.
“He doesn’t do it on purpose, Mama.” I hide my grin.