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When he’d gone to her father to ask for his daughter’s hand in marriage, Jack replied, “As long as you take care of her.” Jack had gone on to explain that he knew he couldn’t always be there for his daughter, and now that was Jayson’s duty.
Jayson had taken that duty seriously. He knew how to take care of a woman, knew what she needed.
Or so he thought.
Each time he tried to do his husbandly duty, Gia had shut him down. Now that they were divorced she needed him less than ever.
In his efforts to be a good man, a good husband and nothing like his father, had he gone about being a husband the wrong way? He’d never laid a hand on Gia—he’d sooner die—but he’d strong-armed her in other ways, hadn’t he? He’d tried corralling her the way Jack had—protecting her the way Royce and Bran had. And like she’d done with each of those other men, she’d pulled away from Jayson, too.
Flubbing a marriage was a big failure for him. He’d never intended on divorcing. He’d planned on being married one time, for forever. But as their communication deteriorated, he found himself swallowing arguments instead of having them. He’d opted for silence over involvement. He should have told her what he was thinking. What he was feeling.
At the time he hadn’t wanted to be wrong.
Stupid.
“You two aren’t related, but you’re a lot alike.” Chester appeared around the corner, gave Ollie the bulldog a scratch on the head and then sat next to Jayson. “I have a thing for the strong, silent type. I can’t help it. If you need to talk, I’m a good listener.”
Jayson debated before giving in. He could use a second opinion on the thoughts ricocheting off the inside of his skull.
“Gia and I have a complicated past, but I think a future would be even more complicated.”
“Possibly. It’s hard not to go back to that familiarity, though. Been there. My ex before Mason.” Chester shook his head. “It didn’t end well, but we weren’t anything like you and Gia.”
Jayson turned his head. “Meaning?”
“You two are good for each other, but you’re each holding on to your pride with both hands. Vulnerability is the key to any good relationship.”
“Gia and I have been naked together, Ches. Recently. How much more vulnerable can you get?”
Chester patted Jayson’s shoulder. “Jayson, Jayson. Sometime you should try admitting you made a mistake. That goes a long way.”
“She’s the one pushing me away.” Jayson stood. It hurt to admit that out loud. He assumed that hurt was the vulnerability Ches had been referring to.
“I’ll stay out of it,” Chester vowed as he stood, also. “After I say one more thing.”
Jayson could have guessed his brother-in-law wouldn’t keep completely silent.
“Even if you don’t ride off into the sunset together, if spending time together helps you and Gia over a hump—no pun intended—then go for it.”
“That doesn’t exactly sound like you,” Jayson narrowed his eyes in suspicion. “I thought you were rooting for us to get back together.”
“Always.” Chester smoothed a finger over one manicured eyebrow. “I also recognize that you are happier when you’re talking about her, and I like seeing you happy. Don’t beat yourself up so much about the past. These things have a way of working themselves out.”
He patted Jayson’s leg and then walked off.
Jayson stood for a solid minute and watched a honeybee visit flower after flower at the edge of his mother’s garden.
He was happier with Gia in his life. He couldn’t argue that. He was happier sleeping with her, too. He thought about her happiness, then and wondered...
Had he prioritized his own happiness over hers in the past? Had she been telling him what she needed this whole time but he hadn’t listened?
Ollie barked, interrupting his thoughts.
“Yeah, yeah. I know,” he told the dog.
The answer was a resounding yes. To both.
