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The amount of hate I have for the Sullivans is in abundance. I won’t let them hurt the people I love ever again.
Who knew good friendship and red lipstick could change a woman’s life?
One thing I’ve learned is that family isn’t always the one you come from. It’s the one that you make.
I’ve changed, and I need her to see that. I’m going to prove it to her. “Who do you think you’re talking to?” I ask in a voice meant to be calm, but it comes out eerily scary, even to me. “I’m talking to my wife,” Richie sputters. “I’m pretty sure she’s not your wife. And you need to leave my pub. Now.”
“Nah, Rich. You can’t claim something you never really had. You know she’s always been mine.”
“Why do you call me beautiful?” “Because you hate the nickname Babe. You told me in high school that a few boys called you Babe and made fun of you because it’s a pig. I beat them up. Do you remember that?”
“Beautiful, the way you cook, the ranch hands would be doubling if other ranches got wind of your cooking,” he says as he washes his hands.
“I’ll be here for her. Always,” I promise as she lays her head on my chest. Her face softens, and she leans up and kisses me softly. “I know. And we’ll be here for you. Always.”
“I’m just looking after my girl,” Nash says, lifting his chin. A pointed jut at Brian. Brian at least has the decency to look ashamed. “I guess I deserve that.”
“You’re trying with everyone but me and your granddaughter. So you just don’t want anything to do with us? If so, let’s just get this done so we know officially where everyone stands,” I say as I cross my arms.
“I heard you’re staying in our old place. We drove by, and it looks great,” Brian says sheepishly, trying to awkwardly make conversation. “I bought it for her,” Nash says as he stares at Brian, and his face is determined to make my dad squirm.
“I should have just left it to you, and I’m sorry for that. I just didn’t think you’d want it after you married Richie. What happened with him?” he asks, suddenly realizing that I’m with Nash and not Richie. Jesus.
“I would have loved to be a part of your family. Willow would have too,” I say as I look at them.
“Who is working at the pub?” I ask. “Kincaid. My family needed me,” he says as he puts his hand on my thigh and squeezes gently.
One thing I know for sure is that sometimes family isn’t what you think it is. Sometimes it’s the people who show up when you really need them, and it looks different from how you think it will look. It feels messy and right.
Because sometimes family isn’t who you started with; it’s who you end up with.
Hayley leans in and says, “I have a shovel in my trunk. I will kill you and bury your smelly fishy body somewhere on this mountain, and no one will even miss you. I promise you that.”
“You can’t do ugly things to people and expect a beautiful life.
I’m ready for my family—Everly to be my wife, Willow our daughter, and our lifetime of memories ahead of us.
