Seb returns with the drinks, sliding another Bud in front of me. I take a sip from the first, feeling like I’m in the middle of a job interview.
“You think so?” Wyatt repeats, frowning.
I set my beer down and rub my now-sweaty palms against my jeans. “We haven’t exactly had that conversation yet.”
“But you’re going to?”
I nod.
He settles back in his chair, his arms folded across his chest, his expression unreadable. Still, I press on.
“I know I’m not who you would have chosen for your sister,” I say, echoing what I told Nash. “But I love her, and I want to do everything I can to make her happy. That starts with you guys.” I glance between Wyatt, Seb, and Nash. “I know how close you all are, and I understand how much your acceptance means to Ash.”
“We just want the best for her. That’s all we’ve ever wanted,” Nash says.
“I want the same,” I assure them.
Nash exhales, nodding. “We can see that. None of us are comfortable with the age gap or the fact that you're still married, but it’s obvious how much you care about her. You wouldn’t be fighting this hard for our approval if you didn’t.”
A flicker of hope ignites in my chest.
“So… we’re good?” I ask carefully.
Wyatt claps a hand on my back. “We’re good. But if you hurt her, Ben…” He lets the warning hang in the air.
“I won’t,” I say firmly.
“Then we won’t have a problem,” he says, taking another swig of his beer. “Now, onto the important stuff. You like football, right?”
Before I can answer, Nash bursts out laughing. Clearly, he hasn’t told Wyatt about my unwavering loyalty to the Arizona Cardinals yet. Looks like he was saving that moment for in person.
Wyatt glances between us, eyebrows raised. “What’s so funny?”
“Ben’s a die-hard Cardinals fan.” Nash smirks. “Went to every home game when he lived in Phoenix.”
Wyatt grins. “No kidding?”
I nod. “Yeah, my dad took me to every game when I was a kid too. Haven’t been in a while, though. Not since I left Phoenix.”
“I’ll hook you up with some seats next season,” Wyatt offers. “You and Ash can make a weekend out of it.”
“Thanks. I’d love that.”
He waves off my gratitude. “No big deal.”
The next hour flies by as we talk football, with Seb keeping the beers coming. It feels good, just a regular night out with the guys; something I haven’t done in years, and I realize how much I’ve missed it.
It’s almost surreal sitting here laughing and drinking with Ash’s brothers after how tense things were at her parents’ place last week. For the first time, it feels like we’re actually getting the acceptance we need to move forward. And as much as I’m enjoying myself, I can’t wait for Ash to get here and see how much things have changed.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Ashlyn
“Ithink I might skip Eden tonight,” I tell Paisley, Ivy, and Taylor as we step out of Franco’s, having just said goodbye to Sophie.
“Oh, no. Ash, please come,” Paisley says. “I won’t let Nash be a jerk.”
“It’s not about Nash,” I lie. “It’s just been a long day.”
