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I never even thought about what monogamy would look like until her, until I realized I only wanted everything with one woman.
When we finally begin the stalk up my brother’s driveway, Fia rises taller in her seat.
“I still don’t know why he wanted this long-ass driveway,” I grunt out, feeling a worrying tingle rooting itself at the base of my spine.
I’m not nervous to bring her here—I want to bring her everywhere—I just don’t want this to feel like too much for her. When I asked her to be mine, I didn’t really consider what the reality of it meant, especially being back in Tennessee.
We have a life here, friends, family, people who deserve explanations, and I don’t know if either of us can give them one just yet.
Putting the car in park, I turn to look at my girlfriend. “Ready?” I ask, praying she’ll need just a little more time, so I have an excuse to stay in here with her.
“So ready!” she cheers, ready to reunite with her best friend.
“Then let’s do it.”
As I reach for the handle, I begin to pull it open, but before I can, slinky fingers painted with pink polish lightly dust my forearm, causing goosebumps to scatter up my ink-covered skin.
“Thanks for doing this tonight. I really needed this.”
Her green eyes and lightly freckled features glisten in the dim lighting of my car. I don’t take thank you’s lightly from Fia Chandler; they’re not easy to come by. Warmth spreads across my chest when she lets her hand linger for longer than I know she would’ve just a few weeks ago.
“You never need to thank me for giving you what you deserve, baby.”
Holding our stare for what feels like an eternity, Fia reluctantly removes her hand, and I finally open the door. My walk around the car to retrieve her is long enough to cool the brand she put on my skin, though the brand on my heart is permanent.
Knocking lightly, I bypass my older brother and let myself in without waiting for him to make his way to the door.
“Party’s here!” I shout, stepping into the foyer.
Fia’s face shimmers like gold as her best friend beelines from the other side of the house, right to her.
I could get used to seeing her this happy.
Following behind her, we make our way into the house, and the surprise I hadn’t been expecting looks me right in the face. Alongside my brothers and Sienna, my parents are busy in the kitchen, waiting with wide eyes to meet the first girl their youngest son’s ever brought home.
“Nice to see you, bud.”
“Could’ve warned a guy,” I mumble.
Duke wraps me up in a loving hug, a deep chuckle hitting my shoulder. Since dating Sienna, the guy is more affection than ever.
“You know how Mom gets. When she heard you were bringing a girl to dinner, she had to make it a whole thing.”
Peeking over his shoulder, I can’t help but find her right beside my mom and Sienna, like she’s meant to be here. My ribs tighten around my lungs at how naturally she fits into my life.
How easy it would be to keep her here…forever.
“Did you miss me?” I joke, falling right into my usual dynamic with my brother.
“Would you believe me if I said no?” Duke jokes.
“Absolutely not.”
Chuckling, we float around to the table while the girls make their way to the kitchen to do God knows what.
“I thought you said nothing was going on with you and Fia.”
Our palms connect in a fast handshake as Ivan crosses one leg over the other, bringing his ankle to his knee, all while wearing a slick grin.
