Chapter Forty-Two

Blake

I glanced over at Tommy as he lay on the chaise lounge, his eyes closed, and his face tipped up toward the warm sun. He looked content, peaceful, and it made my entire body hum with satisfaction. When I first arrived back in Canfield, he wasn’t the boy I once knew. He was angry at the world, but now he seemed different. Happier. I couldn’t help but hope it was because of me, us. My gaze drifted over Tommy’s handsome face, the scar that had changed everything, but to me, it only made him more attractive. Still my Gretzky.

His shoulders were broad and thick, his arms tight with muscle. I smiled at the jelly tattoo before I dragged my fingers over my matching peanut butter one. I had thought about removing it or even covering it up, but I never could. My body lit up at the matting of dark red hair across Tommy’s chest, the concave of his belly, and the trail that disappeared inside his swim trunks. Wide thighs built from years of playing hockey called for me to climb onto his lap. Claim it as my forever space.

“You’re staring.” Tommy’s lips curved up into a smile. “You got something on your mind, baby?”

It did something to me when he called me baby. “You’re hot.”

“Mm, tell me more.” He chuckled softly and twisted onto his side to look at me. “You’re gorgeous.”

I shook my head. “No, I mean, you’re fucking hot. Like, people should put a shrine up for you. Worship at your feet. Feed you grapes and shit.”

“If by people you mean you, then I’m down with that.” Tommy reached for me. “Every time I sit out here, I think about the day I kissed you.”

It had crossed my mind a few times today. “It was the best day.” I squeezed his hand.

“Was it?” Tommy suddenly released me. He climbed from the chair and dropped to his knees next to me. “I think today might be even better.”

I gasped. “Are you...?”

“Marry me.” He pulled a small jewelry box from his pocket. “Marry me, Bug, and we’ll spend the rest of our lives together. We can move to North Carolina, start a family, be madly in love like my brother and Maverick.” He swallowed nervously. “If you hate the ring, I’ll buy you whatever you want. Just say the words. Killian said it was gaudy. Maybe I should have listened to him. But I saw it and knew it was made for you.” Tommy let out a long breath. “I’m rambling.”

His hands trembled as he flipped the box open. Inside was the biggest diamond I had ever seen in my life. I didn’t know much about jewelry, but that thing had to have cost a fortune. I met Tommy’s dark eyes, caught the love that glittered inside them, and nodded.

“Yes.”

“Yes?” he repeated like he hadn’t heard me correctly.

I slammed my mouth over his. “Yes, a million times yes, Gretzky. Anywhere, any time.”

“Shit, we just got engaged.” Tommy chuckled. “I didn’t even think, I just did it. This ring has been sitting in my pocket for the past week. I wasn’t sure when I would ask, I just wanted to have it in case I felt the time was right. Which it did. This was where our whole relationship started.”

I kissed him again. “I had been waiting for you to kiss me.”

“Really?” Tommy’s brows shot up. “You never showed any interest in guys before. You only dated girls.” A growl escaped his throat. “I hated that.”

I hummed. “Yeah, well, I hated all the guys you dated. The ones you flaunted. Josh—”

Tommy’s mouth landed against mine again. “There’s no Josh, baby, just you. My Bug.” He gripped the back of my neck. “I’m sorry I made you wait so long.”

“I should have said something. I could have made the first move. I was nervous that it would backfire. That you weren’t into me.” I nipped his jaw.

Tommy chuckled. “Baby, I was so into you. It came on suddenly. Like I had just realized that my best friend was hot as hell, and I wanted him.”

“Can I have my ring now?” I dragged my thumb over his scar.

He snorted. “Jesus fuck, yes.” He took my left hand and slid the shiny piece of jewelry over my finger. “It was made for you. Just like you were made for me.”

I stared down at my hand, twisted it back and forth to take in the way the gold shone. The way the diamond sparkled under the sun. “I love you,” I whispered.

“I love you, too.” Tommy’s eyes welled with tears.

I leaned my forehead against his. “You took Killian with you to pick it out?”

“He wanted to hang out, and I needed someone’s opinion. I’m surprised he kept his mouth shut.” Tommy’s dark eyes met mine.

Warmth spread through me, and it wasn’t because of the sun. “You and Kill are friends now?”

“I guess?” His forehead wrinkled. “You know I always wanted that.”

“Mm, I thought you had a big crush on him. Like maybe you and Matty were going to end up fighting over him.”

Tommy scoffed. “Absolutely not. Killian doesn’t do it for me.” He climbed onto the chair next to me. “You do it for me. Everything about you is what I want in a man. In my partner.” He nuzzled my neck. “My husband.”

“I like the way that sounds. Husband.” I laughed as he shoved me onto my back and straddled my waist.

He placed his hand on my chest, right over my heart. “We’re going to be okay now. I promise. I won’t keep anything from you or go behind your back. I’ll talk it out with you. Even if it makes me uncomfortable.”

“Looking back, we both handled things wrong. You were trying to help me, and I couldn’t see that. I do now. Thank you.” I should have said that then, but I couldn’t change how things went between us. Only make sure it didn’t happen again.

Tommy eased his big body down next to mine and gathered me into his arms. He buried his face against my neck, his breath hot against my skin. When he didn’t speak, I carded my hands through his auburn hair, my heart thumping loudly. This was what had been missing from my life, and I would never let go of it again.

“I asked your mom.” His lips brushed my neck, causing goosebumps to break out over my skin.

I rested my chin on his head as I closed my eyes. “Asked her what, Gretzky?”

“If she would let us get married,” Tommy whispered. “I wanted her approval.”

I pulled back to look at him. His eyes sparkled with tears and happiness; his lips turned up into a mischievous smile.

“And what did she say?” I brushed the hair from his forehead.

“That she would be honored to have me as her son-in-law.” Tommy’s voice trembled. “After how horrible I was to her, the way I tricked her into going to rehab, she said she loved me. That my heart had been in the right place, and she was thankful every day for me. Because she’s been clean ever since.”

I slid my lips over his. “You saved her life.”

“I never thought of it like that. I only thought about you.”

“I need to thank you.”

Tommy shook his head. “I didn’t... You shouldn’t... Bug.”

He buried his face against me again, and I felt the tears that began to flow. I wrapped my arms around him as he cried, the loud sobs shaking us both as he let it out. If I could go back to that day, the one where I accosted him on the front steps of this house, I would. I would change everything. Instead of yelling and screaming, I would kiss him. Tell Tommy he was amazing for helping me. My mother. At eighteen years old, he did what he thought was right for me. He might have thought it was for both of us, but I know better. Tommy had wanted the world for me.

The sound of the sliding glass door, followed by Killian’s loud laughter, had Tommy pulling away and wiping at his face. I leaned forward to nuzzle his nose, drag my tongue over the tears that hadn’t dried yet, and pressed my mouth against his.

“Hope you’re not fucking!” Killian shouted.

I turned to see my singer and Matthias headed our way, stripping off their shirts before they sat down on the edge of the pool. Killian winked at me before he wrapped an arm around Matthias, pulling him closer. I watched as he reached down to flick water up at his fiancé, who shouted and shoved Killian into the pool. I threw my head back laughing as he came back up, pushing his dark curls from his forehead.

“Babe, I thought you loved me.” He pouted and then yanked Matthias into the pool with him, fusing their lips together. I liked this fun, playful version of Killian.

“I asked Blake to marry me,” Tommy blurted.

Killian and Matthias broke apart to stare at us.

I held out my hand as they both tried to get out of the pool, knocking into one another and laughing. “I said yes.”

Killian stopped to help Matthias before they approached me. “You like that hideous thing?” He grinned.

“Killian.” Matthias hissed as he leaned down.

“Babe, that thing is four kinds of gaudy,” Killian murmured. He fingered the necklace that hung around his fiancé’s neck. “Not like the things I spoil you with.”

I snuggled closer to Tommy. “It’s perfect.” My brows dipped. “Is that a heart?” I asked as I stared at Matthias.

“Yeah.” He gave Killian a lovesick smile. “He said it was his heart.”

Tommy made a gagging noise. “Whipped.” He coughed.

“Damn right I am.” Killian nodded. He broke out into a huge grin that lit up his face.

Matthias blushed and shook his head. “Congratulations, Blakey.”

“Yeah, congrats, man. I’m happy for the two of you.” Killian sat down on the chair Tommy had been lying on. He reached his hand out to Matthias, who took it and sat down next to him.

Tommy threaded our fingers together. “That just leaves Dean.” He turned to stare at Killian when he grunted. “You still don’t approve?”

“I didn’t say that.” Killian chewed on his bottom lip, casting his eyes down to his feet. “Can you keep a secret?”

Matthias pinched his side. “Don’t.”

“Don’t...what?” I asked before I realized what they were both talking about. “Beau bought him a ring, didn’t he?”

Killian shrugged. “I didn’t say that.” But when his baby blues met my greens, he broke out into a smile. “Asked me if I thought Dean would say yes. Guess he wanted to make sure I wasn’t going to punch him.”

“You’re a terrible secret keeper.” Matthias sighed and rolled his eyes.

Killian kissed him again as I turned to look at Tommy. “I never thought I would be like this again.”

“Like what, baby?” He dragged his thumb over my bottom lip.

I nipped him playfully. “Happy.”

“Get used to it. I plan to make you happy for the rest of your life,” Tommy promised.