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“I’m sorry,” I hear him whisper quietly. “I had a bad day. I’m stressed about everything going on, and I took it out on you guys.”
“You’re forgiven, and if you’re feeling stressed out or anxious, just let me know and talk to me.” Kissing his chin again, I sigh. “We’re a team.”
Hank rolls over on top of me and between my legs. “I promise.”
He then shows me with his body how much he needs me.
***
Hank, Mick, and some of his brothers carry the last of the boxes out of my rental. They’re taking them to the storage unit at the clubhouse. It was pointless to be paying rent when I haven’t stayed at the rental in a couple of months.
Plus, it makes sense that I officially move in with Hank and Tripp—I mean we’re back together, I’m having his baby, and to be honest, I’ve fallen in love with that little boy. Speaking of that sweet boy, he and I are eating Oreos while sitting on the kitchen counter.
He smiles at me with black cookie crumbs in his teeth. “I love you, Brooke.”
I freeze, my heart races and I begin to sweat. Tripp keeps looking at me. I’m not sure if he’s expecting me to say it back or what, but looking at him, that’s all I see…love. Wrapping my hand around the back of his neck and pull him toward me as I kiss his forehead.
In my heart, I want to say it back, but I can’t. The words just won’t come. Closing my eyes, I feel like a horrible person. This little boy loves me, and I can’t say it back. Luckily Mick, Hank’s dad, comes into the kitchen.
“Hey you two. Come here, my boy.” He holds out his arms.
Tripp lunges at him and giggles as his grandpa tosses him in the air. Mick does that a few times and then sets him down.
“I’m gonna take him home with me tonight. Let you guys have a relaxing night alone.” He pats my leg. “You doing okay? Feeling good?”
He’s such a good man. I try to give him a genuine smile and I know it’s fake, but at least he doesn’t question it. “I’m doing okay. Just tired.”
Mick cups my cheek. “I’m happy for you and Hank.”
“Thank you.” I hop down and wrap my arms around the older man. “Do you need me to run to the house to pick up some clothes?”
“Sweetheart, you do know who Grandma is, right? He’s got stuff at our place.”
Honestly, I knew that, but I was just looking for an excuse to take a few minutes for myself and process everything. “Of course. I’ll walk out with you guys.”
I follow them outside and find the truck loaded with my things, driving down the street. Hank comes toward me and pulls me into his arms. “They’ll get everything unloaded and covered up. I am going to have your bed put in my room in the clubhouse.”
My stomach turns, knowing that it’s replacing the mattress that Tracey was on. All I can do is nod.
He places his lips against my ear. “I burned that mattress a long time ago.”
I wrap my arms around him. “I-I think I need to talk to a therapist about everything.” Looking up at him, I am not sure what to expect, but all I see is love.
“O-Okay. Things are good with us, right?” Hank wraps his hand around the back of my neck.
“Yes, I just—I just, a lot has happened, and I think talking to someone might help.” I pull back and walk toward Tripp and Mick. Getting down in front of the sweet boy, I wrap my arms around him. “You have so much fun, okay? Maybe this weekend we can decorate your room.” He’s been wanting it redecorated the past couple of weeks.
He smiles and kisses my cheek. “Awesome. I love you,” Tripp says again.
I again can’t speak, but I hug him tight, inhaling his baby shampoo-scented head.
Hank stands next to us and scoops him up and hugs him. “You be good for Grandpa and Grandma. We’ll see you tomorrow.”
Once he loads his son up, they take off and then it’s just Hank and me standing in the yard. “Please don’t be upset that he loves you. I’m not trying to force him on you. He just sees what I see and can’t help but share his feelings.”
“I’m not, I promise you, but it makes me feel guilty, like I’m betraying Gage.” He opens his mouth to interject, but I start speaking first. “I know I’m not, and that I can love him with everything in me and feel the same for our son. It is just everything is moving at light speed and Austin is out there somewhere and now Tracey is back. I feel like I’m starting to lose it a little.”
He grabs my face. “I won’t let that happen. It’s you, me, Tripp, and whoever this is.” Hank moves one hand down to the very small baby bump.
