Chapter 25

Chapter

Twenty-Five

brOOKLYNN

My leg shakes. It bounces up and down as I wait for my parents to join us. I don't know why I agreed to this, except I do know the exact reason—because my father declared it. He wanted to meet Forrest for dinner. And the time has arrived.

Forrest reaches out, wrapping his fingers around my leg, just above my knee. It's not too high up my thigh to be inappropriate, but at the same time, it causes my body to jerk. He pats me a few times before he places his hand back in his lap.

Then my parents descend the staircase. They've always had a little flair for the dramatics, although nothing like Forrest's parents, so I shouldn't complain about them. Instead of rolling my eyes, I smile.

Forrest stands as soon as my parents enter the space. I do the same. Opening my mouth, I start to introduce them, but my father doesn't let me. Instead, he moves straight into our space before he extends his hand. Forrest curls his fingers around my father's, and they shake hands.

I watch in awe as they stare at one another, and then simultaneously, they smile. Letting out a sigh, I hope this is a good sign. A few moments later, my mother introduces herself, except she doesn't shake Forrest's hand. Instead, she wraps her arms around him in a hug.

A few moments later, my parents are sitting across from us in the armchairs. My father leans back in his chair, crossing his leg over his knee. He bounces his foot a few times, then clears his throat.

"Tell us about your career and plans," he begins with his interrogation.

Forrest had to have known that this was coming. When he answers him, I fall for him a little bit more. It's clear that he has thought long and hard about this change in his life, in his career, and in his world.

He tells my father essentially what he told me earlier. He has a coaching job lined up and some one-on-one lesson clients. He is hoping to go to the NHL affiliate team, but if that doesn't happen, he's more than happy to stay where he is. He makes enough that he'll be able to open up some retirement accounts.

I can tell that my father likes the answer. In fact, his lips curve up into a grin, and he lets out a chuckle. "Good answer, son. Now, I know a bit of what's been happening, so I have to know. Are you going to regret this decision in a year or two? I don't ask if you'll regret it in ten years because who the fuck knows where you'll be by then. However, I do ask if in a year or two you're going to regret it, change your mind, break Brooklynn's heart?"

He shakes his head once, and I open my mouth to say something, to tell my dad that he's not being fair, but Forrest speaks before I can. His words hit me deep to my core, and I fall in love with him a little more with each one.

"Mr. and Mrs. Greene, I love Brooklynn. Everything about her is exactly what I didn't know I was missing in my life. She makes me whole. She fills my world with excitement. I will never regret choosing her and my life playing hockey. Not in a year, not in fifty years."

My father slaps his hands against his thighs and stands up. "Welp," he says as he rises to his feet. "I'm starving. Are you kids hungry?" he asks.

Forrest grins and rises to his feet as well, then holds out his hand, his palm facing up. I grip his hand, and together, we follow my parents to the dining room. There is food all laid out.

No doubt my mother had it catered.

She cooks about as well as I do, which means she cooks like shit because that's exactly what I have going on in the kitchen. I can cut up some cheese and arrange some meat on a tray, but that's where my expertise ends.

The serious conversation is over. The moment we sink down into the cushions, the words begin to flow. And it becomes easy—stories, mostly embarrassing ones, about me. But I don't mind it.

In fact, I see it all for what it is.

It's beautiful.

I never would have thought that embarrassing stories about me or anything happening at this table was beautiful, but I do now. It's absolutely gorgeous. After spending time with Forrest's family and knowing what it could be like, how cold and unfeeling, I'll take a little over-the-top action any day.

Forrest reaches out under the table and takes my hand in his, squeezing it gently as the conversation continues. I'm filled with complete and total peace. My parents and Forrest, my whole world, are under one roof, and it is perfection.

Now, I just need to work on my business, my friends, and the salon. I want it all put to bed, everything that Kiki tried to ruin. I want it handled, calmed, and settled in whatever place it needs to be.

FORREST

Standing out on the back patio, a beer in my hand, a brandy in Whitaker Greene's hand, I clear my throat. "Already know what you want to ask me, son," he murmurs.

"You do?" I ask.

He hums. "Part of me wants to tell you to kick rocks. Neither of you are old enough or ready. The other part of me wants to tell you yes because I can see how much you care for my daughter, and I watched this whole scenario play out. You handled it well, maturely, and never once buckled under the pressure."

I chuckle, flicking my gaze to the side. "I know that I made the right choice," I begin. "It wasn't easy, though."

"Of course it wasn't," Whitaker states. "The easy roads aren't always the right ones."

I suck in a deep breath, then let it out slowly and look into this man's eyes. Then I ask the question. "Mr. Greene, will you allow me to ask for your daughter's hand in marriage?"

He shifts his gaze from mine and looks out at the dark yard. I know there is a pool out there, a gazebo as well, and a small pool house. There are also gardens, roses in particular. I don't know if I'll ever be able to provide a home like this for Brooklynn. I want to say that I will, but the reality is that my finances are uncertain.

"I won't be able to give her all of this, but I will be able to give her all of me."

Whitaker's lips curve up into a smile. I can see it in his profile before he turns his attention to me. "The fact that you are worried about it means that you will give her everything she needs and some of what she wants out of life. This house wasn't something I could afford at your age. You work your way into something like this, and if you're lucky enough, you have a partner by your side to share in all the triumphs and tribulations."

My heart races, slamming against my chest as I wait for his answer. He's right. I will do everything in my power to be whatever Brooklynn needs. I will give her everything. And work my entire life to make her happy.

"You have my blessing," Whitaker murmurs, "on one condition."

Holding my breath, I press my lips together and wait for that condition. Whitaker's lips smile, and he clears his throat. "Have a good long engagement. Make sure you're both secure and on track. Don't get married tomorrow."

Letting out a chuckle, I rock back on my heels before I respond. "Brooklynn probably wants, and without a doubt deserves, the wedding of her dreams. I know planning those takes time. I'll wait as long as she wants."

Whitaker jerks his chin and lifts his hand, clamping it down on my shoulder, squeezing gently before motioning toward the house. "Let's go back inside before they get suspicious of us out here."

"Thank you, Mr. Greene," I say.

"Whitaker, we're about to be family."

And that is that. I'm welcomed into the Greene family. We leave shortly afterward and head back home. But not before Brooklynn packs her things, and I load them into my car. My woman is home.

We may not have everything figured out yet. Kiki is embarrassed, but she may attempt to retaliate. Hopefully, she will slowly disappear and find whatever she needs to make her a less miserable person.

With Brooklynn by my side, I head out of her parents' neighborhood and toward Willow Creek and home, but I detour before I reach our street. Guiding the car toward the lake, I park so that my headlights shine on the water.

"Forrest?"

"This is premature. But I asked your father's permission, and I can't go another second without asking you."

"Forrest?" Brooklynn's voice rasps.

Turning to face her, I give her a small smile. Then I reach into the center console of my car and take out the small box. I bought the ring after the first time I haphazardly suggested we get married.

"I love you, Brooklynn. I want to give you everything you deserve. I don't know if I'll ever be able to live up to that promise, but I want to try. For the rest of my life, I want to try to make you the happiest woman on earth."

I watch her. I don't look away. My gaze is fixed on hers before I continue. I'm not a man full of flowery words. She makes me want to be that kind of guy, though. The way she is looking at me, I wish I could be more romantic for her.

"You already make me the happiest man on earth. Will you marry me, Brooklynn?"