Chapter 23

As soon as I round the corner, Remi steps away from Beckett. He's shaking his head, and I imagine the conversation. Beckett has always had my back and was there for me when I wanted to give up.

She says something to him, then glances at me with sad eyes.

This is enough.

I know what he's doing, and I don’t need or want her to feel guilty.

I walk over and place my hand on Beckett’s shoulder. “That’s enough.”

“You told him?” she asks.

“Beckett’s my best friend, Remi. Since before you even existed.”

“You expected him not to tell me?” Beckett accuses. “That’s fucked up, sis. Really fucked up.”

“I thought...you wouldn’t accept us.”

Beckett crosses his arm over his broad chest and shakes his head. “Cash is my best friend for a reason. Are you kidding me? I bet on you, Remi. Because you’re stubborn and so damn wishy-washy, I owe him five thousand dollars!”

She bursts into laughter. “Wait, so you knew I gave Cash my virginity?”

“Uh,” I mutter. “Beckett, I?—”

“What the fuck did you say?” His voice is a roar, and his jaw clenches.

“Shit,” Remi squeals as his fist rears back and slams into my face.

I stumble back, planting my feet and lifting my hands, ready to fight if he approaches. “I didn’t know until you told me at breakfast.”

“Eric wasn’t real?” Beckett yells at Remi. “What is wrong with you?”

“Okay, so you didn’t tell him everything. Noted,” she says with a what-the-fuck expression on her face.

Beckett glares at me.

“I couldn’t share everything,” I explain. I respected Remi’s need for privacy.

He's livid, and I can see it as he takes a step forward. Instead of cowering, I stand firm.

“I deserved the first hit,” I say. “Try to punch me again, and I’ll fucking lay you down flat without apology.”

Harrison runs over and stands in front of Beckett. “Hey. What’s up? No need to fight.”

“Did you know Eric wasn’t real? And that she slept with…” He glances at Remi but doesn’t finish his sentence.

“Yes,” Harrison says, patting his brother”s shoulder. “I figured that out a long time ago. What did you expect? He's your goddamn friend.”

Remi moves between her brothers and pulls Beckett to the side of the stage. “Can we talk?”

He breathes in deeply and goes with her.

A few minutes later, London Valentine steps to the microphone and introduces herself to the crowd, who isn’t paying attention to us any longer. She waves at Harrison and me before her eyes slide over to Beckett and Remi. That showmanship smile doesn’t falter.

“Hi, I’m London, and we”re The Heartbreakers, giving you old and original music. Let’s go!” she says and starts it off with Reba.

Harrison glances at me as I rub my hand across my jaw. “Beckett’s still got that right hook,” he says.

“Fucker. One more Valentine swings at me, and I’m dropping them to the ground first.” I chuckle.

He laughs. “What do you think my sister’s saying?”

“The truth.” Remi glances at me. “Whether or not Beckett can handle it.”

“I’m glad it’s you,” Harrison admits, holding out his hand. We exchange a firm handshake. It’s acceptance, and I’ll fucking take it with a smirk on my face.

Remi and Beckett hug one another, and then she turns toward me.

“Good luck,” Harrison says, patting me on the back.

“I’ll fucking need it.”

Remi reaches out her hand, pulling me away from everyone. When we”re alone, she places her hand where Beckett decked me. “That’s the second punch you took for me.”

“You’re a hazard,” I joke, resting my arm on her shoulder.

She lets out a sigh. “I kept you as a secret. You were my biggest lie.”

“And I wanted the world to know about us. You were my truth, Rem,” I admit.

She shakes her head. “I thought...”

“I wanted you to be sure about us. You had to be the one to choose me. My mind was already made.” I brush my nose against hers.

“Thank you.” Instead of pulling away, she wraps her arms around my neck and slides her tongue into my mouth. She jumps up and wraps her legs around me.

I brace her thigh and ass with my hands, holding her against me. “Thank you for choosing me.”

“Is this one of the signs you”ve been searching for?” she whispers, pressing her forehead against mine.

“Yes,” I tell her, and she laughs against my lips. “You’re mine, Valentine. I’m gonna make it forever.”

“I can’t wait,” she whispers, and I set her on her feet. A blush hits her cheek as I steal a kiss. “I love you.”

“Love you.” I lead her away. We”re laughing, high on life and love and one another.

“I regret waiting so long,” she says. “No more hiding you, us. Never again.”

I nod, my body buzzing, drunk on her, as we walk hand in hand through the carnival area. It’s dark, and the lights of the rides glitter and twinkle.

Remi stops walking. “You said you were worried about losing Beckett. I don’t understand why’d you say that if he knew.”

“I told him a long time ago that if I moved home to be with you and it didn’t work out, I”d move away from Valentine forever,” I admit. “I”d disappear and try to pretend like you never existed.”

“No,” Remi whispers, cupping my face in her hands.

“Beckett leased me the property to convince me to come home. It was a deal I couldn’t refuse, and he knew that. He wants us both to be happy, Rem.”

“He knew you loved me,” she says.

“Yes,” I nod. “The whole time.”

“Cash.” My name gets caught in the back of her throat. “I’m so damn sorry.”

“Don’t be, Valentine. I”d have waited a lifetime for you if I knew there was a damn chance.”

Goose bumps trail over her skin. “It feels like you did.”

“Y”all want on?” the attendant at the carousel horses asks.

“We don’t have any tickets,” Remi says with a laugh.

“So? Come on. It’s on me,” the guy tells us, waving us over.

Remi takes my hand and leads me through the metal gates. As I live the moment, it feels like a hazy dream when we step onto the ride with its glowing bulbs and country music.

Remi walks past a few kids, and we go around to the other side, where it’s mostly empty. Once she chooses her pony, she climbs on the seat but keeps her legs hanging to one side.

When the ride starts, the horse goes up and down, and she leans over and steals my lips.

I rest my hand on her back, my thumb brushing the bare skin under her shirt, and the kiss deepens. Around and around we go, lips and tongue and teeth, with her hands massaging the base of my skull. She whimpers so lightly, loud enough for me to hear, and I do.

“Fuck, Rem,” I whisper, tugging at her scalp.

She smiles, pulling away and glancing down at my shorts. I reach down and adjust myself. “I”d fuck you right here if it weren’t for this audience.”

“I know,” she says, and I pull away, creating space, needing my cock to calm the hell down. As I lean against one of the decorated horses, I watch her watch me.

“Did you think it would turn out like this?” she asks.

“I knew it would,” I say without hesitation. “Eventually.”

“Better than never, I guess,” she says, grinning, but I see the fire burning behind her eyes.

It’s the same one that’s always been there.