“How? When?” I blurt out, not believing what I’m hearing.
“Remember that day Trent told me I was back on the team? Yeah, well, he’s known since then.”
“I can’t believe you told him without consulting me first.”
“I know. And I’m sorry. I promise to make it up to you. But I couldn’t live with myself if you lost your job because we fell in love. I just couldn’t do that to you. You love what you do. You’re amazing at it. I didn’t see why you should be punished for following your heart.”
“Apparently, I won’t be punished at all. What did you even say to him?”
His smile turns soft as his grip tightens around me.
“The truth. That you saved me. That loving you was the reason I was put on this earth. And come hell or high water, nothing would ever stop me from loving you. Or wanting to take care of you. And if he had a problem with that, he could fire me right there and then. Nothing would keep me away from the woman I loved. Not him. Not Preston. Not anyone. All I asked was to spare you if he did fire me.”
“You said all that?” I whisper, feeling like my heart is about to explode.
“Not only did I say it, but I meant each and every word.”
“So that’s why he showed me leniency,” I mutter under my breath, finally connecting the dots.
“That and also because he already had his suspicions.” Caleb grins.
“He did not?”
“He did, love. Apparently, when you went to bat for me when I got suspended, it raised a few red flags. I think Rex might have also whispered something in his ear before I had the chance.”
“Of course he did.” I smile.
I should have known Rex couldn’t keep a secret from Trent for too long.
“Apparently, all Trent was waiting for was for one of us to fess up. And since we were taking so long, he told Preston that you had recused yourself from being my therapist to pursue a romantic relationship with me instead. I got to hand it to him. He really is the best GM a guy could ask for.”
“And friend,” I add, feeling grateful for his unconditional support and genuine friendship.
“Yes, love. And friend,” Caleb says before placing a chaste kiss on my lips. “Are we good now?”
“Is there a world where I can be mad at you for long?” I ask, wrapping my arms around his neck and gently pressing my temple on his. “A life where I didn’t love you so much?”
“Not in this life, no.” He grins.
I lean in for another kiss, ready to end our fight on a high note, when we see Jack burst out of the kitchen like a man possessed, stopping at the threshold of his crowded living room.
“Party is over, assholes! Grab your shit and leave.” Jack shouts with a shit-eating grin. “You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay the fuck here either! I’m about to make baby number four. I love you all dearly, but if you don’t get the hell out of my house in the next ten seconds, I’m going to start kicking you all out. Literally.”
“Yep.” Caleb grins. “Life is exactly how it’s supposed to be. Absolutely-fucking-perfect.”
The End.
