Page 49 of My Weakness

Bella: They love you both. I’m sure they’ll be happy for you

Mia: And if they’re not, who gives a fuck? You’ve got a hottie for life. He gave up his apartment for you, he’s not going anywhere

Harper: Soooo I’m just going to go with the more sensible version of, good luck, babe. You’ve got this, both of you

It’s Thursday evening and we’re standing outside the front door of my childhood home, about to step over the threshold to sit down for a family dinner. A dinner where I tell my father I’m dating my stepbrother, that I’m in love with him, and that I plan on spending the rest of my life with him.

I feel sick.

“Hey.” River turns me to face him. “It’s going to be okay.We’regoing to be okay. No matter what happens when we walk through this door, I’m not leaving you. You’re mine, pipsqueak.”

“Yours,” I whisper as I press my face into his hand that’s cupping my cheek.

“Forever,” he vows, then he turns and opens the front door.

Showtime.

“Mom? Richard?” he calls as we step into the house. We’re here under the guise of celebrating River’s award.

“We’re in the kitchen.” I hear Charley call to us.

River takes my hand and pulls me along, I’m not sure my feet would be capable of taking me those few steps on my own. He’s still holding it as we walk into the kitchen and greet both of our parents.

“Darling,” Charley coos as she pulls me into a hug, I squeeze her back with one arm as River is still holding onto my other one. He doesn’t let go, not even when he takes my dad’s hand to shake.

“It’s so good having you both back here,” Charley gushes.

“It is,” my dad agrees. “We need to do more of this.”

River’s gaze finds my own and his hand gives mine a quick squeeze.

“There’s actually something we both wanted to talk to you about tonight, and I think now would be a good time,” River states. He’d said that he wanted to be the one to break the news to them as it’s him that really pursued us.

“Everything okay?” My dad queries.

“More than okay. We just hope you see it that way, too.” He’s definitely got both of their attention now. I see the minute Charley notices our clasped hands; her body stiffens as her eyes widen.

“Well, what’s up?” Dad looks between the two of us.

“I want to start by saying we didn’t plan for this to happen, but I won’t deny I’m glad it has.” He turns his gaze to my own, but his words are for my father. “Richard, I’m in love with your daughter.”

“Oh my goodness,” Charley mutters under her breath.

“Because she’s your sister?” But I can see he’s not really believing what he’s saying.

“No, because she’s the love of my life.” Every time he says those words I get goosebumps.

“I need you to clarify exactly what it is you mean,son.” River winces at the endearment.

“Richard. Ava and I are together. I am in love with your daughter and plan on spending the rest of my life with her.” His words are met with silence, the only noise in the room is the sound of the oven fan faintly whirring.

“How long has this been going on for?”

“For me, five years. For Ava, a matter of weeks.”

“What do you mean five years?” My father demands.

“Richard, the minute I walked through this door all those years ago, I fell for her. She’s like a ray of fucking sunshine lighting up even the darkest of days. I didn’t stand a chance.”