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“What's going on, guys?” I asked, jogging up to Jax, who was grinning.
Jax laughed and faux-whispered. “We thought it was high time Adam got his moment of glory.”
The mood of the game had shifted from competitive to friendly, and it was clear our team was in on it, too. We decided to give Adam the chance to get that touchdown.
With a wink and a nod, we launched the ball to Adam, who ran as fast as he could. Reid and Jax chased him half-heartedly, but they made sure not to catch him. Adam crossed into the end zone, stumbling a little, and raised his arms in triumph, beaming with happiness.
We all cheered and gathered around Adam, hoisting him onto our shoulders like a champion. The laughter and banter were infectious, and for a brief moment, it felt as if the entire world was filled with happiness.
Even better when Jax kissed me as we whooped and hollered.
As the game drew to a close, all the other kids joined in, which for some reason meant I ended up on the ground with Jax, being swarmed by his niblings, and the whole thing turned into a big tickle fight.
Dinner was just around the corner, and I couldn't wait to join the Byrne family at their table. But as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the backyard, I took a moment to close my eyes and think about my mom and dad, and how much I missed them, and I couldn't help but feel thankful for this day, for being invited into the Byrne family's celebration, and I wished my brothers were here as well. I sent them photos of the game; Sutton came back with a reply.
Sutton: I’ve started practicing my best man speech.
Trace: Fuck off.
And all was right in my world.
Dinner waseverything I never knew I needed—people, laughing, chaos, Charlie on my knee eating mashed banana, and Jax holding my hand when he could. The family took turns to talk about the things they were grateful for.
Then, it was Jax’s turn.
“I’m thankful for my girls. India, and Iris, I love you both. I’m grateful I’m an uncle, and that Charlie has come into my life. I’m grateful I might get to meet my twin one day.” He hesitated, and everyone watched him. “And as for Arlo?” I tensed—his entire family had seen the way he touched me, and kissed me, and hugged me, but this was him trying to put everything in words. “I’m thankful for the day Arlo Marshall walked into my office, and I love him.” He stared right at me. “I love you, Arlo.”
My heart was so full. “I love you too.” I would keep on saying it until the end of days, for as long as he’d have me, and on my knee Charlie burbled as people talked, and then, he added his thoughts.
“Gah.”
ChapterTwenty-Three
Jax
I was always an early riser,a habit ingrained from years of leading construction projects, but today was special. I hadn’t woken up to work, but because it was Arlo’s birthday. I turned my head and watched the beautiful man who’d stepped into my world and twisted everything around. He looked so peaceful, his short salt and pepper hair soft against the pillow, and the gentle light of a barely there dawn gave me enough to watch his chest rise and fall as he breathed.
Careful not to wake him, I scooted closer, draping an arm around his waist and lying there for the longest time. We’d been exhausted the night before, falling into bed with little ceremony after a long day, and a later night, and even though I wanted to kiss him, I decided against it, allowing Arlo these peaceful moments of rest before the chaos of Charlie waking up.
After several more minutes of battling the urge to pepper Arlo’s face with kisses, I extricated myself from the bed and padded across the room to check on Charlie, sound asleep in the crib, a picture of innocence with his chubby cheeks and soft, rhythmic breathing.
I padded to the bathroom and tried to do everything as quietly as I could, but the sound of the toothbrush tapping against the edge of the sink seemed way too loud in the silence. I should’ve felt guilty, but instead, I found myself smiling into the mirror at the thought of Arlo waking up.
Once downstairs, I made coffee, popped bread into the toaster, and gathered butter, jelly, and cutlery, and then, determined, I went to my office and picked up the sealed envelope with the legal documents that had been burning a hole in my thoughts for months.
Today was the day.
We’d pulled our heads out of our asses; we’d told each other how we felt; and we were a team. It was time.
With the toast ready and the coffee poured, I picked up the envelope along with the breakfast tray, and the climb back up the stairs had never seemed so quick. Back in the bedroom, I set the tray on the nightstand and couldn’t help but smile as I saw that Arlo had shifted, one arm outstretched toward my side of the bed, seeking the warmth I’d left behind. The scent of coffee worked its magic, and Arlo’s nose twitched just before his eyes fluttered open, a little confused and hazy from sleep.
“Happy birthday,” I whispered.
Arlo grumbled something incoherent, making me chuckle as I watched him clumsy and yawning when he stumbled toward the bathroom. Those moments of raw, unrefined Arlo were some of my favorites, and something I’d seen a lot more of now that he was spending nearly every night here.
When Arlo returned, there was more clarity in his eyes, and his hair was damp from splashing water on his face. He crawled back into bed, and we met in a minty kiss that started slow, then deepened, but didn’t go anywhere else.
Pulling back, breathless, I handed him coffee, and we pretended we wanted toast between kisses, but then, I reached down the side of the bed and handed Arlo the envelope. The weight of the moment settled around us, as he frowned at the official label and his full name typed on the front.
