Page 26 of The Gruff Loner’s Bargain

Brook

The rest of the weekend flies by in much the same way. We go to events, I try to notice all the little details the resort offers, then we go back to our cabin and have sex like the apocalypse is on our heels.

Now we’re back at the airport where we, thankfully, are on the same flight. Landry has gone to the restroom and I’m waiting for us to board.

He hasn’t said the words again. Not since I told him it was too soon.

His phone buzzes on the seat beside me. Instinctively, I pick it up. It’s a text from his brother. I’m about to put it down when my eyes catch on the word “ring.”

GREYSON: Yo motherfucker!

GREYSON: Why did you take mom’s ring?

GREYSON: Hello.

GREYSON: Jackass.

His mom’s ring. I look down at my hand where the ring winks back up at me. I knew this ring looked special. But his mom’s?

A shadow falls over me and I jump, looking up at Landry.

“I’m sorry. It buzzed and I just grabbed it.”

“Brooklyn, I don’t have any secrets from you. I don’t care if you want to read through all my texts.”

He sits down and I hand him his phone.

He reads the messages and smirks. Then he tilts his phone so I can read what he’s typing.

ME: Yeah, I took it. She said either of us could have it.

ME: You took too long.

GREYSON: Why’d you take it to TN though?

ME: Because I wanted Brook to wear it.

GREYSON: But WHY?

ME: Because I knew before we even left home that I’m in love with her.

ME: Happy now?

GREYSON: Very.

GREYSON: I knew that’s how you felt. Just didn’t know if you’d realized it yet. Did you tell her?

ME: Yep. She doesn’t believe me.

GREYSON: Well, you’re an idiot so there’s that.

ME: I’ll convince her eventually.

GREYSON: She can keep mom’s ring. I still have the one I bought for Annabelle.

ME: Maybe it’s time you give it to her.

GREYSON: Have to convince her to move back home first.