Easton

“You did?”

“Yes.”

“How do you feel?”

“Like shit because I didn’t tell you or anyone else I was going.”

Liam stepped down toward him, cupping his cheek. To anyone else, they were just two friends sharing a moment. To Easton, it meant so much more.

“What is it?” Liam asked.

“My father killed my ex-girlfriend who I had knocked up. He’s in prison for a whole lot of other shit, but he killed a woman I cared about.”

“What did he want?” Liam asked.

“He wanted me to help get him out by discrediting Paul. He’s the guy who testified and saw him dump the body in the lake back home. Carla’s buried there.”

“She’s the girl you imagined,” Liam said.

It wasn’t a question.

“You’ve got to stop feeling this guilt, Easton. You didn’t kill her.”

“But I did. I know everyone is pissed off at Taylor for being angry at me, but she’s right. I did kill her because I didn’t leave her alone.”

“No. You didn’t push her. You were willing to leave everything you’d ever known to be with her. I know you, Easton. You told me the entire truth, and I believe you. You’re not capable of murder. You’re too good to ever do that.”

“But I was relieved. When she died, I felt like I’d dodged a bullet.”

“So? You were eighteen. Your father had spent your entire life hurting you. You weren’t ready, but if Carla was still alive today, you wouldn’t have been at camp. You wouldn’t have had Junior, and you wouldn’t be here now with me. You know why?”

“Why?”

“You’d be with Carla and your children. You are a good guy. You would have done the right thing, regardless of your own happiness. That has to mean something. No matter what your father says or does, you are a good man. An honorable one, and you should never doubt who you are because when I look at you, I know you’re a great man. One who shouldn’t have to justify his life for others. Only you should matter. Only you should care.” Liam pressed his head to Easton’s.

The closeness helped to take the pain away. Liam spoke so much sense to him, but he loved it when he was like this, and held him.

The pain slowly filtered away until there was nothing left.

“Now, Scarlett’s got dinner on the table. You’re home, and Junior’s excited to show you his science experiment.”

“Can I confess something?” Easton asked.

“Yes, of course. You can tell me anything, and I will protect you.”

Easton had no doubt the man before him would do whatever it took to protect and love him. Liam was the man who protected those he loved, and Easton vowed to do the same for him. To always look out for him, no matter what.

“I hate science and I think my son is a nerd, but I love him so much for it.”

Liam burst out laughing. “Yeah, your son is a nerd, that is right.” Liam brushed his lips against his. “Let’s go in and party. It’ll be fun.”

Holding Liam’s hand, Easton walked into the house, and sure enough, his nerdy little son had conducted a science experiment and Easton wouldn’t have him any other way.

****

Scarlett closed the cardboard moving box with the last of Easton’s things from the bedroom. They had put off packing up his apartment for a long time, and she didn’t really know why, but now they had started, there was no stopping it. Putting her hand on the lid of the box, she sighed.

She never thought there would be a time she was so happy she thought she would burst.

This day, it was magical.

Knowing Easton was willing to move in with them meant everything to her. There was no guarantee he’d stick around though.

He slept in her bed every single night, and made love with her and Liam. She had watched her two men together as well, but there was no other commitment.

“That box ready?” Romeo asked, entering the bedroom.

Axton, Romeo, and Karson had offered to help them move Easton into their home.

There hadn’t been any conversation about what it meant for Easton or his relationships with other women.

“Yeah. It’s all done.”

“I cannot believe he’s doing this, you know,” Romeo said, reaching for the box. “I always imagined Easton would stay a bachelor forever.”

“He can still do what he wants. His life is still his own.”

“I’m not stupid,” Romeo said. “You should stop treating me like I am. I see the way you and Liam look at Easton. The love between you all.”

“You’re mistaken,” Scarlett said.

“I’m not. Some may not see it, but I’m glad he’s been able to find not just one person who loves him, but two. All of his life, Easton has been seeking love. He doesn’t know he’s been doing it. I think it’s why he was so easily smitten with Carla. She took his shit and still smiled at him afterward.” Romeo looked so sad. “I thought I was going to lose him after what happened to Carla. We sent him to camp because he just wasn’t dealing like the rest of us were. Why would he? We’d not been with the victim. We’d not gotten to know her and put a baby inside her.”