Roe really wanted to talk to Holden, to figure out what was going on, but he needed to make sure things were settled with Lindsey and Wyatt first. He knew without a doubt that Holden would understand.
Wyatt looked at Lindsey, and when she smiled, he said, “Yeah, that’d be cool. We can watch a movie or something.”
They went to the car, and Lindsey drove them to her house. Roe shot off a quick text to his mom, letting her know they’d talk later. He asked about Holden, and she said they’d left right after Roe had run out.
They made popcorn together and watched a movie. Everything with Wyatt seemed to be okay and back to normal, and he stayed home while Lindsey drove Roe back to his place.
“How about we go for a little drive first?” Roe said.
“Can we not and say we did?” she asked, and he chuckled.
“We need to talk, Linds.”
“I know.” She drove out to the lake and parked there.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know…”
She frowned. “I think you did, Roe, but that’s okay. My feelings are my responsibility.”
“Maybe we shouldn’t have…” Slept together. But if they hadn’t, there would be no Wyatt, and Roe couldn’t imagine a world where that wasn’t the case.
“No. Fuck you, Roe. Don’t do that. I’m a big girl. Plus…it was my idea. Not in a weird, take-advantage-of-you-because-I-love-you kind of way. But I’ve always wanted to be a mom, and you always wanted to be a dad. I think…I think that was meant to be. Think of that boy we created together. That was destiny, right there.”
Yeah. Yeah, he believed that.
“I know there’s no chance between us. I’ve always known that, but I just… No guy I meet compares to you. I’m trying to get over you, but whether I do or not, I don’t want it to change our relationship. And I damn sure don’t want you to walk away from something or someone important to you, like Holden, because you’re worried about me. I meant what I said. I want you happy. I’ll find the right guy eventually.”
“I used to wonder sometimes…or wish I could be that person for you. I’m sorry that I can’t.”
“No.” She shook her head. “Don’t you do that. You have nothing to be sorry for, Monroe Covington.” God, he loved her.
“If I could love a woman romantically, it would be you.”
“I know. I’m pretty great.” She grinned. “Can we sit out here for a while? Just talk?”
Roe reached over and squeezed her thigh. “I pretty much demand it,” he teased.
And that was exactly what they did.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Holden
Jesus, it’d been quite the night. To say things had been awkward after Roe, Wyatt, and Lindsey left would be an understatement. Roe’s family had apologized, then tried to pretend everything was normal. Sean was a little confused as to what was going on, so they’d made their excuses and left within a few minutes.
Vicki had walked them to the door. Sean and Marilee had gone to the truck, and Vicki had hugged him, apologized again, and said, “Wyatt and Lindsey will understand. I think half the damn town felt like they’d get together at some point, and that pressure has to have rubbed off on them. But I know my son, and I see the two of you together. You’re a good fit for him, and you have us in your corner. Covingtons stick together—Wyatt and Lindsey too. I like ya. You belong.”
He’d made it almost to the truck when the last person he’d expected approached him—Dennis.
“I haven’t always been the most understanding of Roe… I’ve pushed the idea of him and Lindsey. I’m sure he’s told you that.”
“He has.”
“But seeing you with him…it’s different from when he was with Rich, and I’m sorry if anything I’ve said contributed to what just happened.”
Holden had been…shocked, to say the least. He’d nodded, thanked Dennis, and told him, “It’s your brother you should be telling this to, though, not me.”
Once they got home, and throughout the evening, Holden hadn’t been able to stop thinking about what Vicki said. She liked him. She told him he belonged, and…fuck, did he want that—a big family who fought but loved hard and stood by each other. He and Marilee had never had anything close to that. Sean hadn’t either.
They’d been home for a while now. Roe wasn’t back yet. Holden was outside, sitting on the picnic table, when Sean joined him.
“Did I do something wrong, Uncle Holden?”
“No. You absolutely didn’t.”
“Do you think Wyatt’s mad at me?”
He tore Holden’s heart up sometimes. “No, I don’t think so. He’s probably just a bit confused because he didn’t know and because he wants his parents to be together. I think that’s pretty normal.”
“Yeah.” Sean nodded. “But they wouldn’t be together even if you weren’t around, right? They weren’t before, and Roe is gay, so…”