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Maverick flushed. “I am horrible at public speaking. You all know I don’t like to be the center of attention. I owe a lot to Matty and Kill. For forgiving me and welcoming me into their home when I showed up unannounced. My bandmates for putting up with my bullshit for so many years and not kicking me out when I was at my worst.” His eyes met Dean’s. “And my brother. Who has been the best friend I could have ever wanted. I’m so glad we’re speaking again. I missed you.”
My eyes burned with unshed tears. I leaned over to tell Tommy I loved him, but he kissed me instead, his soft lips warm against mine. I resisted the urge to climb into his lap because I’m classy like that, but I still sucked his tongue into my mouth before he pulled away.
“I need to thank Beau and his sister, Sam, for the day she ran into Maverick in the coffee shop. If she hadn’t reached out to my teammate, her brother, to have me come get my boyfriend, none of us would be here right now.” Jackson leaned down to press a kiss into Maverick’s hair, and Mav buried his face in his side.
Beau waved a hand in the air. “I can’t take the credit for that. That’s all on my sister, who you’ll meet tomorrow. But you two are couple goals, and I hope that Dean and I can be as happy as you are someday.”
Dean beamed and blushed. He kept his gaze on Beau, who pushed the green hair back from his face.
“Uh, yeah.” Maverick pulled back to look at Jackson, who nodded. “Speaking of that day, I met a young fan that same morning, and I’ve been helping him with his drumming. Not that he needs it. But he’s going to be moving in with us. We’re going to foster him first, and then maybe, if it all works out, officially adopt him.”
“Are you telling me that I’m going to be a grandmother?” Adele gasped, then jumped to her feet to rush to them. “This is truly a happy moment.” She wrapped her arms around her son and soon-to-be son-in-law.
I wasn’t sure I could see Maverick as someone’s father, but hell, if he wouldn’t be the best dad in the world after what he grew up with. Suddenly, I realized that we were all grown up. Mav was going to be married and have a kid. Killian wanted to have us all come stay with him in North Carolina so we could still record but not have to tour, which would help both him and Maverick. Dean was in love with a man, and hopefully moving on with his life.
And I had Tommy again. The boy who’d helped save my mother’s life, pushed me to pursue my dreams, and was the only person I ever wanted by my side. Forever.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Five Years Ago
Tommy
Blake didn’t come back right away. Not after two hours, three, or five. I was scared that I had ruined what we had just started. That I’d pushed him too hard when all I really wanted was to make him happy. His house was dark, which meant he was either sitting in there without the lights or maybe he had left. Gone to see his mother at the hospital, or maybe he was walking around trying to gather his thoughts together. I wanted to go make sure he was okay, but he said he needed to think. I didn’t want to overstep my boundaries. I decided to reach out to my brother again for his help.
Tommy: You around?
Jax: For you, always.
Tommy: Can I call you? I need to talk with you about something important, and I’d rather not do it over text.
Instead of answering, Jackson’s name lit up my phone.
“I’m not interrupting, am I?”
“Hello, Tom, I’m great. How are you?” he teased.
I suddenly realized how much I missed my big brother and wished he was here so I could hug him, talk to him in person, and get the reassurance I needed.
“What’s going on? Are you okay?”
I paced restlessly around my room. “You heard about Blake’s mom, right?”
“I did. Tell him how sorry I am and that I’m here if he needs anything,” Jackson told me. I heard murmured voices in the background before he spoke again. “You need my help? About what we spoke about before?”
I nodded, even though he couldn’t see me. “If she comes out of this, if she agrees, will you do it?”
“You don’t need to ask me again, Tom. You’re my brother, and I want you to be happy. I know you love Blake; how much he means to you.” Jackson’s voice sounded off. I had so many things I wanted to ask him but was scared to bring it up. “Yes, I’ll give you as much money as you need. God knows I won’t be spending it all in this lifetime.”
“Thank you, Jax.” Again, I heard hushed voices on the other line. “Are you busy? Should I not have bothered you?”
My brother chuckled. “It’s just fucking Beau and the person he brought back with him from the bar. Trust me, picking up puck bunnies is not my thing. I prefer a stranger who doesn’t know who I am.”
“In the same room?” Was I going to have to deal with that if I ever made it to the NHL?
Jackson snorted. “That’s how it works, Tom. Might want to get used to that now. I’m in the bathroom, but they’re kind of loud. I’m a rookie, so I can’t complain unless I want to sleep in the hallway.”
“But you would, right? Bring another guy back to your room if the moment presented itself?” Something occurred to me. “Beau’s gay?”
