Cade comes to a halt, and I brace myself for whatever’s about to follow.
“I thought you were done with him,” Cade says, his eyes fixed on me.
“Cade!” Sophie snaps.
Ash doesn’t flinch. “We’re together,” she says firmly, irritation lacing her voice.
Cade exhales, his expression hard. “Look, Seb told me about your... situation, and what happened with your wife. I’m sorry for everything you’ve been through. But that doesn’t mean you’re the right person for Ash.”
“With all due respect, Cade, that’s not for you to decide,” I say, trying to keep my voice in check.
He shrugs. “Maybe not, but I’m still going to voice my opinion.”
“Okay, that’s enough,” Sophie says before lowering her voice and leaning in toward me. “Ignore him. He’s just sleep-deprived and cranky.”
Ashlyn slips her hand into mine as Sophie and Cade go on ahead.
“One brother down, two to go,” I say quietly, trying to lighten the mood.
“Cade's a jerk. I can’t believe he said that to you.”
“It’s fine, Ash.”
She tugs on my hand, stopping me in my tracks. “It’s not fine.”
I lean down and press a soft kiss to her lips. “Maybe not, but at least he knows the truth. He loves you. They all do. I understand.”
She lets go of my hand and wraps her arms around my neck. As I rest my hands on her waist, I gaze down at her.
“You’re amazing, you know that? Most guys would have run for the hills by now.”
I smile. “I could say the same about you after the way Laney was last night.”
She sighs, resting her head against my chest. “Are we always going to be fighting for everyone’s approval?”
My chest tightens. “I wish I had the answer to that.”
“Me too.”
I hold her close for a few moments before stepping back. “Let’s go inside. I’m sure you’re dying to see Hunter.”
She smiles. “He is pretty cute, isn’t he?”
I chuckle. “The cutest.”
We head inside, but her words linger in my mind. Between Laney and her brothers, I can’t shake the feeling that wewillalways be fighting for approval. No matter how hard we try, will it ever be enough if no one wants us to be together?
CHAPTER TWENTY
Ashlyn
Ben gives my hand a reassuring squeeze as I push open the living room door. Conversation halts, and all eyes turn toward us. Cade’s expression is grim, but I ignore him and stride across the room.
“Mom, Dad, you remember Ben?”
My mom rises from her seat and offers a warm smile. “Of course. Hello, Ben,” she says, pulling him into a hug.
“Hi, Mrs. Brookes. Nice to see you again. You too, Mr. Brookes.”
