Page 27 of Mr. McHunky

“I know you can, baby. And you’ve done a great job of it. But wouldn’t it be nice to share life’s burdens? To have a partner to experience all of the joys with?”

“I’m not sure,” I say.

“Relying on someone else or letting someone take care of you doesn’t make you weak.”

“Maybe not in your experience.”

“What if I needed you? What if last night I’d injured myself and I’d needed you to take care of me? Would that make me weak?”

“Of course not, but that’s different.”

“It’s not though. I know what you’re saying. I hear what you’re not saying. You got dealt a shit hand and had to grow up on your own. All the families that only took you in for the financial assistance the state paid them. I don’t know how many houses you lived in during your time, but more than one is more than enough.”

Again, he swipes at my cheeks. “I can’t fix any of that. Just like I couldn’t fix things when my parents died too young and too healthy, leaving us four kids alone. But we had each other and I did what I needed to do. Let me do that for you. For us. I’ll do all the heavy lifting. But I want you to belong to me, Emory. I want to belong to you. I love you.”

His words set off a cacophony of emotions in my body. My heart and brain fighting for dominance. I really want to shove my fear aside and trust him. I want to let myself love him too.

“How can you say all of this? Make promises for forever? Always is a long time?”

He chuckles. “Because I know how I feel. Once I love someone, it’s a love that doesn’t go away. Besides, love isn’t an emotion, Peaches. It’s a decision. It’s a daily commitment to be there for the people who are your family. Whether they be family by blood, by marriage or any other choice. What if the whole reason you randomly ended up in my town and calling my garage for a tow was for us to meet? Maybe all the traveling you’ve been doing has been you searching for something. Is it wrong for me to hope it’s me you’ve been searching for?”

My heart is pounding. “I’m scared,” I admit.

He kisses my forehead. “I know, baby, and that’s okay. As long as you don’t let that fear prevent you from living, then it’s okay.”

I give him a small smile. “I can’t actually leave until my tire arrives.”

“Does that mean you’re willing to give us a chance?”

“Maybe.”

“Is there anything I can say or do that will convince you I mean what I say? We could get married and then take in a bunch of older kids from foster care to give them a chance. Show them what it’s like to be part of a family.”

I release a watery laugh. “You’ve already raised three sisters.”

“I have. And I’d do it again. And I’ll do this for you if you need me too.”

“I don’t think I need you to, but I might want to discuss the possibility later.”

“Fair enough.”

“We can go as slow as you need to, as long as you’ll give me a chance to prove I’m the real deal.”

“What if I don’t want to go slowly?” I ask.

“Then we can fly to Vegas tonight and get married. I love you, Emory. I’m in love with you.”

“I think I might love you too, Jude.”

“I’ll take it.”

And then he kisses me breathless.

chapter

twelve

Jude