Bennett (On the Line Book 2)(40)

“I know.”

“And I’m thrilled you’ve found someone special again.”

“I was worried about whether I’d be good for her at first, but I am, you know? In all the ways that matter.”

Mom gave me a knowing smile. “Of course you are. I can see how much she means to you.”

“She does. Not just because of the baby. I’ve been thinking—” I looked around and lowered my voice “—about how if Kelly were still here, I’d probably be married to her. I never would’ve even met Charlotte. Makes me feel like a real dick even having those thoughts.”

“Don’t be so hard on yourself. You tried to reach Kelly, but she was hurting deeply. The accident affected so many lives. She’d have wanted you to move on.”

I nodded. “I have. I’m at peace with things, but this day . . . it brings it back, you know?”

“It does for me, too. And I think that’s okay. When you share it with Charlotte, I bet her understanding will help. She sounds like a woman who will understand.”

Just the thought of Charlotte made me smile. She was more than special to me. I was starting to think fate had brought us together that night. It was like I found the woman I was looking for without even realizing I was looking.

I hadn’t planned on settling down this young. There was also my job and the constant travel it required. My lack of financial security. The fact she was Liam’s sister.

I no longer gave a single shit about any of that. I just wanted her.



Charlotte

It was a low-key Christmas Day at the apartment. My mom had run to the store for some last-minute dinner ingredients, and Liam hadn’t arrived yet. I was unloading the dishwasher when James came into the room and started helping me.

“Hey, Merry Christmas,” he said. “Guess I was tired.”

“Merry Christmas.”

It was close to noon and he’d just woken up. Not that I was judging since I’d slept ’til almost ten myself. James sorted clean silverware into the drawers, and I again wondered what had come over him. He’d never helped with this kind of stuff before.

“So how’s it going?” I asked.

He smiled and looked down at the silverware. “It’s good.”

“You seem . . . different lately.”

He glanced up at me. “Do I?”

“You’re like a different person.”

“I’m guessing you like this one better.”

I couldn’t help laughing. “Yeah, I’m not complaining or anything. Just wondering if you’re saving up comments and off-color jokes so you can hit me all at once or something.”

“Nah.”

“What brought on this new you?”

His face reddened and he shrugged. “I sort of . . . met someone. Someone who makes me want to be a better person.”

“You did? That’s great.”

His eyes twinkled as he looked at me and smiled like I’d never seen him smile. “It is. I’m really happy.”

“Tell me all about it. What’s her name?”

His blush deepened. “It’s actually . . . Brian.”

“Brian?” I tried not to look too shocked.

“Yeah.” He shrugged again. “Turns out I’m gay. I’ve always been drawn to men, but I never realized that was why. I just tried my whole life to find the right woman, and nothing ever fit. I felt like I was wrong in every way. And then I met Brian and it was like a light bulb went off. He loves who he is and makes me kind of love who I am, too. I don’t even have to try. We just . . . work, you know?”

“Oh, James. This is incredible. I’m so proud of you.”

“Yeah?”

“Yes. You’ve shown a lot of courage. I’ve never seen you happier.”

He nodded. “Thanks. I’m meeting his family this afternoon. I’m nervous.”

“Just be yourself. Don’t try to be funny.”

Our eyes met and we both laughed at that.

“Got it,” he said. “And hey, wanted to ask you . . . would you meet Brian? Maybe we could all have dinner here one night soon?”

“Sure.”

He sighed, looking relieved. “Thanks. My family will be shocked by this, to say the least. I was hoping you could meet him for a dry run to help my nerves a little.”

“I’d love to. Maybe Bennett can come, too.”

“You mean Christopher?”

I buried my face in my hands. “I know. Ugh. I know.”

“What’s up with that?”

“Well, Bennett and I didn’t realize this the night we met and got it on, but he and my brother are teammates and roommates.”

“Oh, f*ck.” James’s eyes bulged. “He didn’t say he was a hockey player?”

“It didn’t come up.”

He blew out a breath. “So now what?”

“Now . . . I work up the courage to have a conversation with my family, too. Nothing like the one you’ll have, but . . . I empathize.”

There was a knock at the door, and I wiped my hands on a dish towel and went to answer it.

“Merry Christmas,” Liam said, opening his arms for a hug.

“Merry Christmas.”