47. Bohdi

Chapter forty-seven

Bohdi

" B oh," Rylee's voice trembles, breaking through my shock as I stare down at her swollen belly. The reality hits me like a tidal wave—I'm going to be an uncle again. It all floods in at once: the guilt for not speaking to Cash and Rylee properly since everything happened. The realization that she's far along in her pregnancy, and the unspoken understanding that they kept this from me. But I don't blame them. Not one bit.

I have a second chance now—to protect this baby with every fiber of my being, to shield them from any harm. My gaze locks onto Rylee's, tears shimmering in her eyes. She bites her lip, perhaps wondering if I'll lose it, but it's not anger that consumes me. It's love, fierce and unwavering.

I rush toward her, pulling her into my arms. My whispered apology brushes against her ear. "I'll be the best damn uncle this baby could ever ask for," I promise. "And the best brother-in-law to you. I'll always protect you both. Always."

"I've missed you so much, Boh," she whispers, her voice raw with emotion. "I missed you so damn much." I pull her in tighter, not wanting to let her go. The weight of our separation settles on my shoulders—the days, weeks, and months when I walked away from her.

"I love you, Ry," my voice breaks. Tears blur my vision as I bury my face in her hair. She needed me as much as I needed her, and I abandoned her and Cash. I walked away from the one man who'd pulled me through every kind of pain I'd ever faced.

When he lost his son, when grief threatened to consume him, I turned my back. I'll never forgive myself for that.

But maybe forgiveness isn't about erasing the past, it's about making amends. And right now, I realize something deep. You can't control who you fall for. Love defies logic, defies reason. It's a force that sweeps you off your feet, leaving you powerless. Your heart makes those decisions, and sometimes, you just have to accept it.

Brayden entered my life at a time I didn't want anyone around me. He sat alongside me in the dark corners of my mind and made it less lonely.

I don't think people truly understand how beautiful the darkness can be if you have the right person there with you.

He made me find peace in my darkness.

He made me find peace in my pain.

Now, pulling away from Rylee, I glance down at her swollen belly. Her trembling lower lip mirrors the storm of emotions brewing inside me.

"We're having a boy," she whispers.

"A boy." My voice croaks as I struggle to hold back the tears and stare down at her bump, at my baby nephew.

"Thor Stiles."

"Thor," I whisper. "It's perfect." Tears continue to track down my face. Jace's addiction with Thor was next to none. The name couldn't be any more perfect if they tried.

"He will love it." Rylee doesn't need to ask who I mean when I say he'll love it. She knows. Her sad smile tugs at my heart as I pull her close, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

But then I turn to Cash, standing next to Brayden. His clenched jaw and restless stubble reveal the emotions he's desperately containing. "I missed you, Brother," I say.

He steps toward me, our arms encircling each other. "I missed you more, Brother," Cash replies. We hold on, unwilling to let go.

"I'm sorry," I whisper.

Cash's response is immediate, fierce. "You have nothing to apologize for. I just want my brother back."

My eyes shift to Bray, who offers a soft smile. He's the reason for this reunion—the bridge that led me back to where I belong.

"I'm back."

Brayden's gaze locks onto mine, wide-eyed, as we stand in the kitchen. Cash, busy giving Rylee a tour of the house "I know I failed to miss out that Jace's dad, my brother, is now getting married to Rylee. It's a story for another day, I think."

Brayden smirks, his lips curving. Just then, Rylee appears around the corner, her presence like a sunbeam breaking through the clouds. Pregnancy suits her; she practically glows. And Cash? Well, he's all over her. If he's not holding her hand, his fingers trace patterns over her bump, weave through her hair, or rub her back. It's only been twenty minutes, and I can already predict how hands on he'll be.

Rylee remains blissfully ignorant of what's coming. But I know. I know she'll eventually seek refuge with me, escaping Cash's overbearing ways. And honestly, I can't wait to steal my nephew. Watching them, I ache for Brayden, even though he stands right beside me.

I grab his arm, pulling him close, and press my lips to his. He pulls back, cheeks flushed, chewing on his bottom lip. My eyes shift to Rylee, who beams at us, caught in the moment between me and Bray. Cash smirks, raising an eyebrow my way. Pulling back, I sling my arm over Brayden's shoulder.

"I'd like to officially introduce you both to Brayden Quake Anders, my boyfriend."

Fuck, it feels good to say that.

Rylee's joy vibrates through the kitchen as she squeals and darts around the island, leaping into Brayden's arms. "It's so good to meet you, Brayden," she says, her voice warm. Her eyes lock onto his, and then she glances at me, her expression filled with approval. "Boy, did you do good."

Cash, being Cash, rises from his seat in an instant, pulling Rylee away from Brayden. His raised eyebrow speaks volumes. "Do you want to repeat that?" he challenges.

Rylee backpedals, her cheeks flushing. "Best not," she murmurs, casting a smirk Brayden's way.

Brayden, the silent observer, chuckles softly. His gaze flits to me, and I lean in, whispering, "Hey, are you OK?"

He nods, a bright smile curving his lips. "Yeah," he replies. "It's just nice seeing a happy family, that's all."

"Get used to it," I assure him. "You haven't met my sister yet."

Rylee interjects, her excitement contagious. "Oh, Bridget is going to love you," she exclaims. "She's currently in the Bahamas for work, but I promised her juicy details. Brayden, come sit, we're Face Timing one of the best women you'll ever meet." With that, she drags a wide-eyed Brayden over to the couch, phone in hand, ready to connect him to Bridget.

Cash's gaze fixates on Rylee's hand as it clings to Brayden's arm.

"He's one hundred percent gay, Cash," I sigh.

"He fucking best be," Cash grunts, his jaw set. His eyes shift to mine, assessing. "So, a boy, huh?" His smirk dances at the corner of his lips.

"A man," I counter, my heart fluttering. Cash's grin widens as he glances back at Rylee. She hovers over Brayden, her joy palpable. And there, in the background, Bridget's smile beams through the phone screen. I can almost hear her laughter.

"You look happy, Boh. Really happy," Cash observes, his tone both teasing and genuine.

"Honestly," I confess, "I don't think I've ever felt this happy. I don't know how he does it."

Cash's next words cut through the joy. "I hate to be the one to drag you back to reality."

"But you're going to," I retort, rolling my eyes.

"What about teaching?" Cash's voice lowers. "What if you get fired? No other schools will touch you. You'll be blacklisted."

"I know, Cash. Trust me, I know." I lean against the countertop, my palms pressing into the cool surface. "Teaching wasn't a dream—it was an escape."

"Do you love him?" Cash's question hangs heavy in the air.

"More than anything," I reply, my voice unwavering. "I'll marry him, Cash. Mark my words, I'll have a ring on that finger within the next two years. Although I'm going to try for one sooner."

"Jesus Christ," Cash mutters, rubbing his hand down his face. "And Rylee thinks I'm bad?" He shakes his head, chuckling, then glances at Brayden and back at me.

"Then you need to choose," Cash says, his tone serious. "It's Brayden, or the teaching."

I smile, the answer crystal clear. "That's not even a question."

It's simple.

"I choose Brayden, and I always will—over and over."