“So what are you going to do about it?”
“I don’t know yet, but I’m starting to get the beginnings of an idea.”
He moved around the table, lining up another shot. “You know what Delaney told me when we first got together? She said that love isn’t about finding someone who fits perfectly into your existing life. It’s about being willing to build a new life together. One that fits both of you.”
“That’s... actually really good advice.”
“I know. I’m marrying a smart woman.” He sank his shot. “Point is, you’re not going to find a solution where nothing changes. Something’s got to give. The question is what you’re willing to sacrifice.”
“I don’t want her to sacrifice anything.”
“Then you’ll sacrifice everything. Because you can’t have her and keep your life exactly the same. It doesn’t work that way.”
Gage joined us, carrying fresh beers. “What are we talking about?”
“Dex being an idiot about Leigh,” Trace said.
“Ah. Yeah, that tracks.”
“I’m not being an idiot…”
“You kind of are though,” Booker said, appearing with his whiskey. “You’re in love with her. She’s in love with you. The solution is obvious.”
“There is no obvious solution,” I protested.
“Sure there is,” Gage said. “One of you moves. Preferably you, since she’s got a family tie that she needs to stay in the area for and you could literally rebuild a garage anywhere.”
“It’s my grandfather’s garage…”
“Was,” Booker interrupted. “Wasyour grandfather’s garage. It’s yours now. And you can do whatever you want with it. Including selling it to start fresh somewhere else.”
“With someone you love,” Gage added. “Building a life you actually want instead of the one you inherited.”
I looked around at my brothers. At these men who may not biologically be related to me but they were my brothers nonetheless. And all I saw here was nothing but support. Love. The belief that I deserved to be happy.
“I don’t know if I can do it,” I admitted. “Leave Willowbrook. Leave you guys. Leave everything I know.”
“Yes, you can,” Trace said firmly. “You’re one of the strongest people I know, Dex. You’ve been through hell and come out the other side. You can do this too.”
“And you’re not leaving us,” Xander added. “Geography doesn’t end family. We’ll visit. You’ll visit. We’ll FaceTime and text and stay in each other’s lives. The only thing that changes is your address. Besides, just try and keep the kids away when they realise you live by the sea.”
“And the fact that you’ll finally be happy,” Gage said. “Really, truly happy. Not just going through the motions.”
I swallowed hard against the lump in my throat. “When did you all get so wise?”
“We learned from you,” Booker said quietly. “You taught us what it means to be there for people. To put family first. To sacrifice for the people you love.” He paused. “Now let us return the favor. Let us tell you it’s okay to put yourself first for once. To go after what you want. To choose happiness.”
“I don’t even know if she wants me to move there,” I said. “She keeps talking about how I belong here. How this is my home. What if that’s her way of telling me that she doesn’t want me to come?”
“Then tell her how you feel,” Trace said. “Actually talk to her. Not about the logistics or the problems. About what you want. What you’re willing to do. What kind of future you want to build together.”
“And stop trying to solve everything on your own,” Xander added. “You’re a team now. Figure it out together.”
Around midnight, people started to leave. Hugs were exchanged, last-minute advice was given even though most of it was terrible. Gradually it was just the five of us, me and four men that meant the world to me.
“Can’t believe you’re getting married tomorrow,” Gage said to Trace. “The first one to fall.”
“Well, not for long,” Xander added with a grin. “We just need Dex to bend the knee and then we’re all officially taken.”
