And for the first time in a long fucking time, I realize something I didn’t expect. I’m happy. I’m not looking over my shoulder for the next bad thing to happen. I’m not a father who feels like he’s failing every decision he makes for Sawyer.
I’m happy. And it’s all because of her.
Chapter 36 – Epilogue 1 – Seth
“I still don’t get it,” Levi deadpans, dragging his eyes up and down my costume with a look caught between judgment and confusion. “What are you supposed to be… a bat?”?
I huff a laugh and adjust the thin, black vest that I’m wearing. “No, man. I’m aBat Boy.”
He just stares at me. Blank expression. Then lets out a slow, skeptical, “Uh-huh.”
And yeah. A six-foot-five man in an all-black cape, eye mask, and a skintight shirt that probably reveals more than it conceals has absolutely no business looking this ridiculous. But when your girlfriend, the love of your actual entire life, and your daughter are obsessed with fantasy books full of winged men who brood and battle and pine for their mates, well, you go fullBat Boyfor Halloween because it makes them both smile and giggle.
It doesn’t hurt that Bri said she wanted to roleplay later tonight while I’m wearing it.
No regrets.
Levi tugs his eyepatch down and adjusts the sword clipped to his belt. “I think women like when you dress a little sexy.”
I eye him. “Sexy? You’re in a Party City pirate getup. You’ve got clip-on gold hoops, man. You look like the creepy boss who’s hitting on the underage cashiers.”
He lifts his brows. “And you look like Zorro and Batman had a baby. But sure. Sexy. At least I’m searching for booty tonight.”
“Women are giving you the playbook, man, and you’re not even reading it. Pick up a damn romance novel for once and maybe you’ll get laid.”
He snorts. “Before Bri, you were practically celibate. I don’t think you can give me any advice on getting laid. Plus, Bri and I read romance novelstogether.Have you forgotten your girlfriend is my best friend?”
I roll my eyes. “Find your own girlfriend.”
He shakes his head. “Impossible with the schedule the Boston Tea have me on.”
I nod. I get that. When the right person comes, he’ll be ready.
We’re still laughing as we walk up to our brother Boone and Rosie’s front porch, the carved pumpkins lining the steps glowing with flickering candlelight. The second we knock, the door swings open, and Rosie appears, all flushed cheeks bouncing our adorable nephew dressed as a pumpkin in her arms.
“Hi guys,” she says, hugging us each. “Come in. Please come in before I melt or cry. Or both.”
Levi scoops the baby out of her arms instantly and takes off into the house. “Come to Uncle.”
“Cute costume.”
She rolls her eyes affectionately. “He’s already had three outfit changes. The other two were soaked with spit-up.”
“Well keep Boone away from you. He told you about his six-kid plan, right?”
Rosie’s pretty eyes widen in mock horror but there’s something in her smile that says she might not be against the idea. “Yeah, it sounded horrifying at first but I’m kind of into it.”
Levi laughs from over her shoulder, but there’s a flicker in his expression that catches me. The way his gaze lingers on her—on the whole warm, glowy domestic thing she’s got going on. That yearning in his eyes, quiet but deep. It hits me in the chest. Because I know that look. I’ve worn that look in the past. The way that you feel like you’re just a little behind on the whole family thing. The way it can feel like you keep choosing the wrong women, the wrong circumstances to get you where you really want to be.
These last few months with Levi continuously popping up in Brookhaven, crashing at my place, helping with Sawyer, showing up more than I ever expected... I’ve been pretending to be annoyed by it. But the truth is, I’ve loved having him close by and I can tell he’s needed this.
It’s been over a decade since we all lived on the same coast, let alone the sametown. He left Canada for the big leagues at eighteen and never looked back. And now that he keeps getting suspended from his team in Boston, we’re finally spending time together again. It’s been healing for our relationship, and Bri’s been a big part of that.
We’ve talked about Rebecca. About Sawyer. About all the things that we never got to say back when everything blew up. I used to think he resented me for what happened with her—for lovingher, for getting her pregnant when I wasn’t sure she was forever. But he didn’t. He never did. He just wanted what was best for all of us.
And now he wants what’s best for Sawyer, too. That’s why I’ve encouraged his relationship with her, and he’s bonded so tightly with Bri. That’s why he shows up. Why he keeps showing up. And for me, that’s everything I need to know. He’ll always be my brother, and I’ll always love him.
After telling Bri everything about my past, about Rebecca, about Levi… it’s like something cleared between us. No more secrets. No more weight pressing between us in the dark. We spend every day together with Sawyer, and every night tangled up with each other in my bed.
