Chapter 14

CHAPTER 14

Holland

I t feels so comfortable being here in Trey's house with him. All my doubts and insecurities have vanished. After my lesson, I helped him in the barn, ensuring the horses were all properly put up and cared for. After that, we went to the grocery store to grab steaks. We held hands as we walked the aisles, not caring if anyone in Shelbyville saw us. Trey's declaration to choose me and not allow Wade to step between us again made everything feel more secure, more real. Still, I haven't told him how I truly feel yet, and it's causing me anxiety.

We move around the kitchen, cleaning up. Trey washes while I dry and put things away. The conversation flows naturally, like no time has passed at all.

Like no pain was ever inflicted and I realize, I truly have forgiven him. I want to make this second chance work—I'm just not sure exactly what that means.

"So," Trey says, rinsing a plate and handing it to me, "what was your favorite part of the zoo yesterday?"

I smile, drying the plate. "Definitely the giraffes. I love how elegant and awkward they are at the same time."

He chuckles, shaking his head. "They're something, all right. Personally, I think the gorillas had you enamored. You were practically having a conversation with that big one."

"Hey, he was very interested in what I had to say," I retort. "We had an interlude."

Trey laughs, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Well, you always did have a way with animals."

Warmth spreads through me, not just from his compliment but from the genuine joy in his laughter. It feels so right, being here with him. As I place the plate in the cupboard, I turn to face him, leaning against the counter. "You know, Trey, I think the best part about yesterday was just… being with you."

His hands pause in the soapy water, and he looks at me, his expression softening. "Yeah? Same here. It felt like old times, but better."

I nod, my heart starting to race. "Better because we're not hiding anymore. Because you've made a choice and put me first."

Trey nods solemnly, his eyes locking with mine. "And I'll keep making that choice, Holland. Every day."

The sincerity in his voice brings a lump to my throat. I swallow hard, trying to push past it. "I… I need to tell you something."

He dries his hands on a towel, stepping closer to me. "What is it?"

The words come out before I can stop them, a revelation not just for him but for myself. "I love you."

I get stunned silence. The world seems to halt, waiting for his reaction. Then his face lights up with pure elation. He steps forward, sweeping me off my feet and spinning me around in a joyous hug. I laugh, clinging to him as he sets me down and kisses me so deeply I see stars.

"You have no idea how long I've waited to hear that," he murmurs against my lips, his voice thick with emotion.

"I haven't got it all figured out yet," I admit, my heart pounding, feeling utter relief now that my feelings are out there and I've committed to them. "I'll need to go back to Zurich to wrap things up with my job."

"Wrap things up?" he exclaims, eyes wide. "That means…"

"It means I want to come back to Shelbyville. Permanently." He stares at me stupidly, so I clarify, "To be with you. To pick up where we left off."

"Thank fuck," he mutters and pulls me into him hard. His lips on mine are warm and insistent. "That's all I needed to hear," he whispers against my mouth.

We're so wrapped up in each other that we don't hear the front door open. It's only when an angry voice cuts through the air that we pull apart abruptly.

"What the fuck?" Wade demands, his eyes blazing with indignation.

My grip on Trey loosens, but he takes my hand, holding it protectively. "What are you doing here? You're supposed to be in West Virginia."

"The hitch on the trailer broke," Wade snaps, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Had to abandon it and turn back. You'd know that if you bothered to look at your phone. I'd sure like to know what in the fuck is going on?"

Trey's jaw clenches, and he inhales deeply. "I'm sorry you walked in on that. We obviously need to talk about this—"

"Talk about what?" Wade interrupts, his fists clenched at his sides. "About how you just told me Holland was like a sister to us, and all this time you've been screwing around behind my back?"

"It's not like that," I start, but Wade cuts me off, his eyes flashing with hurt and betrayal.

"Shut up, Holland!" he yells.

Trey pushes me behind him, chest bowed out. "Better watch how you talk to her," he warns his brother. "I get that you're upset and we'll gladly sit down and talk, but you better fucking talk to her with respect."

Wade ignores Trey's rebuke. "I trusted you. I confided in you, Trey. Bet you both had a good laugh at my expense."

"No," I exclaim, trying to step around Trey but he gently pushes me back. I can feel him vibrating with tension. "That's not what we did."

"Oh, I guess I didn't just see his tongue down your throat, did I?" Wade snarls.

Trey steps forward, his hands raised in a placating gesture. "You need to calm down. It's not what you think."

The tension in the room is palpable, and dread knots my stomach. Trey and Wade stand toe to toe, their chests rising hard and fast. I see the pain in Wade's eyes, and it twists my heart.

"You lied to me," Wade says, his voice shaking. "You told me she was off-limits, like a sister, and all this time you were with her."

"We weren't trying to hurt you," Trey says, his voice steady but filled with regret. "We wanted to tell you the truth. We just needed the right time."

Wade's face contorts with anger. "You're full of shit," he growls and to my shock, shoves Trey hard in the chest. He stumbles back two steps and I move out of the way, then Trey is barreling into his brother. He shoves Wade back, harder, and he flies into the counter.

I bolt forward, putting myself in between them. "Stop it, both of you!" I shout, my voice breaking. "This isn't helping."

Wade's eyes bore into mine, filled with a mix of betrayal and pain. "So noble, Holland. Being the hero now while playing me for a fool."

"No, Wade," I say, my voice trembling.

"That's enough," Trey roars, pulling me out from between them. "You're being a douche and you know it."

The room is filled with a heavy silence, the weight of our words hanging in the air. Wade shakes his head, his expression hardening. "I can't deal with this right now."

He turns on his heel and storms out of the house, the door slamming behind him. I start to go after him, but Trey grabs me around the waist, holding me back. "Let him go. He needs to cool off."

"Will he?" I ask, tears in my eyes.

Trey pulls me into his chest, wraps me in his arms. "Of course he will. This is Wade we're talking about. He never stays angry for long."

I try to wiggle out of his embrace and he loosens just enough to look down at me.

"This was a bad idea," I say abruptly. "I shouldn't stay. I should go back to Zurich. I can't—"

"You better stop that shit right now, Holland," Trey snaps. His hands come to my face and he peers down at me with resolute eyes. "This is going to work between us. Wade will have to get over it."

I shake my head, doubt gnawing at my heart. "What are we going to do?"

Trey pauses, his gaze steady and determined. "I'll tell you what we're going to do. We're going to get in my truck and head to the farm. We're going to call a family meeting and we will fill everyone in on the truth of what happened all those years ago. I will beg their forgiveness because they're going to be super pissed at me. Then we're going to wait Wade out because eventually, he will get over this. Then you and I are going to have our happily ever after."

Trey stares at me, and I stare back at him, a small kernel of hope flaring in my chest.

"Okay?" he prods. "Sound good?"

I nod mutely.

Trey gives me a hard, swift kiss before taking my hand and leading me toward the door. "Let's go. We're doing this now." I follow along and then Trey stops in his tracks, causing me to run into his back. He turns to me. "I love you. Got it?"

"Got it," I whisper. "I love you too."

Trey smiles and it's mostly relieved but still a little stressed. "I won't let anything come between us again."

I nod, trusting in him.

Fully trusting in what he says.

?

Walking into the Blackburn family home feels like stepping into a lion's den, and I hate my insecurities. My hand is clasped tightly in Trey's, and my heart races as we approach the kitchen where the family is gathered. Trey's text had summoned everyone except Wade, and doom washes over me.

As we enter, all eyes turn to us—Fi, Tommy, Ethan and Kat—their expressions a mix of concern and confusion. Their stares become almost unbearable, and I instinctively try to pull away from Trey, but he holds on tight, grounding me with his strength.

Kat is the first to break the silence, her tone laced with curiosity and a hint of suspicion as her eyes land on our clasped hands. "Something you want to tell us?"

Trey nods, releasing me to put an arm around my waist. "Yes, something we need to tell you."

"I think we can guess some of it," Kat says with a smirk.

A little of the anxiety lessens as she regards us with amusement.

"Let's sit at the table," Fi says, her voice gentle but authoritative. She motions for us to join them, and we comply, taking seats at the long, rustic table that has hosted countless family meals and discussions.

Tommy glances around the room and then at Trey. "Wade wasn't on the text. Why isn't he here?"

Trey takes a deep breath, his eyes meeting mine briefly before he turns to address his family. "This is about Wade, and he won't be joining us tonight. This is sort of a long story so just let me get it out."

Tommy nods and Fi reaches over to pat Trey's hand in silent support.

Launching into the story, his voice steady and resolute, Trey lays it all out. "Eleven years ago, the summer Holland turned eighteen, we fell in love." Fi gasps and Kat nearly chokes, her jaw dropping open. Trey ignores them. "We kept it a secret because we just wanted some time to ourselves and we knew it would be a little weird, but we were going to tell everyone before Holland left for college. The day before she left though, Wade confessed to me that he had strong feelings for her. So I decided to step aside for Wade's sake."

"You idiot," Kat mutters.

"Kathryn Blackburn," Fi says disapprovingly before turning back to Trey. "Why would you do that?"

Trey shrugs helplessly. "Because I was an idiot like Kat said. I thought I had to choose Wade because he was my brother. And as you all might suspect, it drove Holland away."

Ethan, always the quiet one, looks to me. "That's why you left and never returned."

I nod, the words stuck in my throat. Trey leans over, kisses my temple before turning to his family. "But now that she's here, she's forgiven me, and we're moving on together. Wade found out, and he's mad."

Silence from everyone.

"Like really, really mad," Trey clarifies. "And well… it's just time everyone knows. It's time for me and Holland to be happy."

The room is so quiet, I can hear my own heart galloping away in a stampede of fear and hope. Trey's chosen me, but will the rest of the family? Will they side with Wade, the brother who feels betrayed?

Fi is the first to move. She stands and walks over to where Trey and I are sitting, pulling us both into a warm embrace from behind. She kisses Trey's cheek, then mine. "I'm so sorry you both went through this," she says, her voice thick with sympathy and understanding. "I'm proud of ya, Trey, for finally gettin' your head outta your arse." She turns to me, her eyes soft and kind. "Holland, ye've always been a part of this family. My heart's hurtin' for Wade, but you and Trey deserve to be happy. We'll all work to get Wade right with this."

"Thank you," I rasp, tears springing to my eyes with relief.

Fi clucks her tongue at me. "No tears now. This is a happy occasion for the two of you, and happy for this family."

Ethan and Tommy smile but it's Kat I turn to for real approval. I kept a secret from my very close friend. She leans forward, her eyes bright with determination. "I hate you both for keeping this a secret from me."

My stomach drops but then she smiles at me so brightly, I'm blinded. "Just kidding… I love you both, but don't you ever keep secrets like that from me again." Her eyes flick back and forth between me and Trey, her tone somber. "You've both been through so much. It's time for some happiness. Wade's a knucklehead. Trust me… he'll get over this and it will all be good."

God, I hope she's right. I couldn't stand it if this caused a permanent rift, but I won't worry about it for now. Instead, I bask in the relief of acceptance this family just showed me and tomorrow will be soon enough to figure out how to handle Wade.