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Alexis stared at me with an expression of disbelief. “You really care about the kid, don’t you? Are you in love with Weston?”

Like a slide show, all the moments with West scrolled through my mind, and at the end of my self-indulgent retrospective, I came to the unmitigated conclusion that yes, I was deeply in love with Weston Aames.

“I’m guessing that’s a new realization for you, based on the stunned look on your face. Well, Sally Sunshine, welcome to the crazy, insane, path to love. Finding that person who fills your soul and makes you want to be better? Yeah, it’s not easy, but it’s damn beautiful.” Alexis touched my arm again, this time with a warm smile. She was a good soul.

I chuckled. “How do you go about living with the realization that you’d give your own life for another person?”

The cabdriver found an opening, and we were speeding in the far-right lane toward Brooklyn. I was trying to catch my breath at my latest revelation, and my heart told me to tell Weston immediately upon seeing him.

“You just cherish every moment you have with them, Bridges. One thing we don’t know is when we’ll draw our last breath. The last thing I want to smell before I die is the scent of the woman I will love forever.”

It was nice to hear Alexis admit it. I could tell Steph was important to her, and it made me happy for them. They deserved the life they seemed to be forming together. I wanted the same for myself. Did I have that chance with Weston? I sure as fuck hoped so.

Finally, the cab pulled in front of Eaton Cycles. I glanced up to see the lights were on upstairs, and I couldn’t wait to get out of the damn car.

The driver popped the trunk, and I turned to Alexis, handing her some cash to pay for the cab ride after he dropped her off. “I’ll call you. Thanks for your support on this trip. It’s going to push both of us to the next level.”

I bailed out of the car and grabbed my garment bag, knocking on the top of the vehicle to signal that the driver could go. I ran to the entrance of Eaton Cycles and punched in the code to get inside.

Taking the stairs two at a time, I arrived at the door to the apartment and knocked twice before opening it. I didn’t want to startle Weston by bursting inside unannounced but I was dying to see him.

“Weston?” I called. “I’m home.”

“Bridges?” He stepped into the hallway from the kitchen.

I took in the sight of my love, seeing the sling around his neck that held his arm close to his chest. I dropped my bag and wrapped him carefully in my arms. “Baby boy, are you okay?”

“No, and it’s going to fuck with my Pride ride. What am I going to do?”

He sounded so forlorn that my mind began racing to help him figure out how to stay on schedule. I kissed his forehead and pulled back. “Don’t panic. We’ll figure it out.

“I’m not so sure.” He scowled.

“I’m in love with you, Weston. That’s what I realized while I was away from you. You and I will come up with a way to keep the ride on track. We’ll make it happen, I promise.”

Weston stared at me for a moment before he stepped into my body and nuzzled his head under my chin. I could feel his warm breath on my throat as he sighed, so I carefully wrapped my arm around him avoiding his injured shoulder.

It was my new mission, and I’d be damned if I’d fail. Seeing Weston succeed was my new priority.

“Bridges, you’ve got to let me go. I have to pee, and I need to stretch a little bit.”

The sound of Weston’s voice was like music to my ears. I’d been away for five days, and we barely spoke while I was in Taiwan due to the time difference of twelve hours. West’s accident was the last thing I’d expected to happen, and I wanted to keep him safe and with me so I could protect him. If only life cooperated.

I released him from my gentle grip, and he pushed up from our bed. “Do you need help?”

West chuckled. “Are you going to hold my dick while I piss?”

“If you need me to. You want coffee?”

“Please. I’ll meet you in the kitchen. I can hold my own dick, thank you.” He held up his left hand.

“Yeah, but I probably like doing it way more than you.” The sound of Weston’s laughter brought a smile to my lips.

I got out of bed and pulled on sweats before walking down the hall and turning up the thermostat. It was below freezing outside, and the thermostat was set on sixty-eight. That was too fucking cold for my old bones.

I headed to the kitchen to make us coffee, which was Weston’s obsession as I’d learned. Who was I kidding? I needed my morning boost as well.

West came into the kitchen, his hair combed and T-shirt under his sling. “How’s your shoulder?”