Unexpected Eva (Triple Trouble #3)(84)

Giving him time to digest, silence stretches like an elastic band between us.

“I think I found my person, Lincoln. After all this time. This isn’t a game I’m playing. I’m serious about Eva.”

Feeling brave, I confess, “I wasn’t exactly truthful on the night of the auction. But I have liked her for two years.”

“Two years?” he exclaims.

“Yeah.”

“Man, you are patient.”

“I think I’ve waited long enough to find happiness, don’t you? You said it yourself before. It’s my time, Linc. But not with Tabitha. With Eva. The way I feel about you is the same way I feel about Eva and her boys. I want to protect her and it’s killing me. I can’t show her off to the world. Show everyone she’s mine. She’s so beautiful, Lincoln. Kind. Warm. I care about her. A lot. You think I like sneaking around with her? ’Cause I don’t. I’m so desperate to be with her properly. Officially. And it’s not because she’s convenient. She’s special. Different.”

“You’re serious about her.” It’s not a question. “Are you in love with her?” he asks, unblinking.

“I don’t know, but it feels real and pretty epic. Is that the word you and your friends use? Epic?”

He nods, smirking.

“But I am so scared. I’ve never been lucky in love. It feels like if I say I am or confess how I feel about her, then I’ll push her away and everything will fall to shit if I do. Like it did before.”

“That won’t happen, Dad. If what you say is true and if you feel strongly about her, I’m sure she feels the same way. You let her into your home. That’s a big deal for you. I know what she must mean to you. I’m sorry for the things I said. I didn’t mean it.”

“We all say things in the heat of the moment.”

“What, like, are you sleeping with my girlfriend? Those kinds of things?”

Chuckling at my stupidity, my shoulders shake up and down.

“Yeah. See, I’m a dipshit. I mess everything up before it begins. I’m not very good at this relationship stuff.”

“You’re better than you think. And I don’t feel the same way about her as you feel. What you describe is next level. I’ve never felt like that about anyone before. I’m happy for you, Dad.”

Lincoln pulls me into a fierce hug.

In the middle of the kitchen, we have our moment.

“Thank you for everything.” He squeezes me. “Mom hasn’t been in touch for twelve years. It’s been twelve years this Christmas. I don’t need her. I never have because you were everything I needed and more. You were the best dad. You always made my football matches, my school shows, parent-teacher nights. You were always there for me. And you can move Eva and her boys in. I didn’t mean any of that orphan shit. It might actually be quite nice having little brothers. I love you, Dad.”

“I know you do, son.” I double pat his back. “Eva’s not moving in with me. She’s going through a shitty divorce and Ewan is being a prick.” We continue to hug each other. I love this boy.

“I would move her in straightaway. She’s got a banging body. Holy shit, man, you hit the jackpot. Shane and Corey are gonna be so jealous of you. A younger woman. Wow. You know I’ve heard you can buy Viagra over the counter now.”

I push him out of my arms, laughing.

“Okay, very funny, Linc.” I don’t tell him Corey said the same or that he and Shane knew about us before he did.

He throws his head back and gives a hearty laugh. “Christ, your face tonight up the stairs.”

I point at my chest. “My face. What about yours? What the hell were you doing in my bed, anyway?”

“I always sleep in your bed when you’re on nights. Your bed is epic.”

“That stops tonight.”

“Yup, I agree with you. Never again. Although pole dancing shoes, handcuffs, and what else… Oh, yeah.” He holds his finger up in the air, then whispers, “Clit ring. I could be tempted.”

“How the hell did you see that?” I gasp in horror.

“I thought I heard Eva say she was going to show you her new jewel. I was half asleep. But thanks for the confirmation.”

Holy shit. This is not how I saw my evening panning out.

“Please don’t mention this evening ever again,” I plead.

“Consider it forgotten.”

He won’t forget that. Ever.

He thumbs over his shoulder in the direction of the stairs. “I’ll just go grab my house keys and get out of here.”

“Okay.”

Linc walks backward out of the kitchen. “It makes a lot of sense now, though.”

“Does it?”

“Yeah. Ewan has been hanging about the side entrance of my house since the auction. I couldn’t work out why he would venture this far out to Cherry Gardens Lane. He must think it’s me Eva is seeing.”

“He must.”

“Do you think he scratched the car?”

Of course he fucking did. That guy is really starting to annoy me.

“Don’t worry. I would never disclose anything about you and Eva. Your secret’s safe with me until you tell her family. I’ve always got your back, Dad.”