I rubbed my jaw.
“I love your sister, asshole.”
“Ryan!” Kaitlyn ran outside. She leaned down to help me, but I shrugged her off and stood on my own.
“Are you ok, Cole?”
“I’m fine.” I turned to Ryan who looked like he could throw a second punch. “Man, it’s not like the past. This is different.”
He stared at Kaitlyn. “Him? You want to be with him?”
She nodded. “Please don’t be mad. And please stop punching him.”
“I can’t fucking believe this.” He spun in a circle on the patio.
I looked through the glass as the Sinclaires ushered Grayson into another room.
“I love your sister. And I know how it sounds. I’m a dick. But I love her. And this is what we want. You know I’ll take care of her. I’ll keep her safe. I swear to you. I swear on my life I won’t let her get hurt.
“We hope you can accept it eventually. Not tonight, but one day. You’ll stop hating my guts and wanting to beat the hell out of me.”
Kaitlyn looked at him. “Please, Ryan.”
He sighed. “Damn it.”
He extended his hand toward me.
I took it.
And I knew from then on we were going to be ok.
Thirty-Four
Kaitlyn
Grayson slept on my lap as we flew home. Home. I couldn’t believe Texas was going to be my new home. Cole wore earbuds and watched a movie. No surprise it was a military one.
I ran my hands through Grayson’s hair. It was starting to get long on the ends. But it was cute and shaggy.
I’d be lying if I said Ryan was completely happy with our news, but after a full weekend together and chance for him to finally get some sleep, he seemed to accept it.
My parents were so enamored with being potential step-grandparents, they glossed over the entire relationship. I could only imagine what it would be like when I had a baby of my own.
Looking at the child sleeping in my lap, I knew I loved him as if he were my own. I didn’t know that kind of love existed. But it did. I could feel it.
I didn’t want to replace Amber or erase her. Cole had told me enough to expect her return. She’d always been in Grayson’s life, which didn’t know how she’d appear. And maybe once she traveled and grew the hell up, she’d be ready to be a mother.
I already was.
I smiled. Cole folded his strong hand over mine.
We were headed home to our cute beach house. Where Cole and I would spend nights with the sliding door open, drowning out the sounds of sex. Our passion had only just begun. We’d work together during the day, and we’d raise Grayson. Making sure he had all the love and happiness this world could give him.
The flight attendant walked by. “Miss, you need to return your seat to the upright position.”
I nodded. “No problem.”
Who knew when I flew to Texas on my own that I’d end up with everything I ever wanted.