That’s probably a little bit of my residual fear talking, though. Thankfully, Roman takes it in stride, letting out a little happy sigh. “Sounds perfect. Let’s go.”
But he doesn’t move, and neither do I.
With his heavy weight in my lap, and his arms wrapped around my shoulders, I decide it’s probably fine if we don’tleave right away. Hold and Julian will understand. And Wren won’t be too mad. Probably, anyway.
Chapter 3
Roman
When I open my eyes, it’s to the sound of someone beating on the door, followed by Kassie barking. I glance around the room, my eyes falling instantly on Beck. His head is dropped back on the couch, his eyes closed, face peaceful. My legs are fucking killing me, which is probably to be expected given I fell asleep straddling Beck. The sun is up, and Beck’s hands are gripping my hips in his sleep, like he doesn’t want to let me go.
I smile at him, my heart full to bursting. There’s another banging sound and it jerks me back to the present. Yes, the door. I extricate myself from Beck, groaning in pain when my stiff legs hit the ground and I try to stand. I feel like a damn idiot as I half-stumble, half-walk to the front door. When I fling it open, Holden is standing on the other side,more coat and fuzzy hat than human. He levels me with a murderous look and pushes past me into the living room without saying a single word.
He ignores me, choosing instead to walk to Beck. He gives his hair a sharp tug and Beck jolts awake, his eyes narrowing at Holden before panic takes over. “Fuck. I forgot to text you.”
“Fuck, you forgot to text me, indeed. You had me fucking worried. Like maybe Romandidleave you, and I’d come over to find you sobbing into an ice cream carton.”
Beck laughs—a hoarse, rusty sound. “No, Hold. It wouldn’t be ice cream. I wouldn’t even be able to eat, that’s for sure.”
Holden growls. “So nice that you can joke about it. I, however, can’t. I didn’t get any sleep. I was too busy sitting up worrying about you two idiots.”
Beck opens his mouth, presumably to apologize, but Holden shuts him right the fuck up with a glare. “Do either of you know how to answer your damn phones? I’ve texted you both a million times,” he says, turning to include me in his glaring.
“Hold,” I start and promptly join Beck in shutting the fuck up when he lets out a huff and puts his hands on his hips.
“I’m sorry, Hold,” Beck says softly. Holden and I both turn to him at the same time, and his lower lip is sticking out, his eyes a little glassy. My heart clenches and Holden sighs.
“Stop looking at me like that, Beckett. It won’t get you out of trouble.”
He’s full of shit, though, because he looks stern for all of two seconds before a blinding smile takes over his face, and he rolls his eyes affectionately. “You two are hot messes.”
I laugh. “Trust me. We know.”
I walk back to the couch and sit down beside Beck, and Holden sits on the coffee table, facing us. “So, everything’s okay?”
“Yeah, Hold. Sorry for worrying you,” Beck says. “Roman came home and we talked and I forgot to text.”
I shrug. “And then we fell asleep. On the couch. Not ideal. Believe me, there’s nothing you could do to me that could hurt worse than my legs right now.”
Beck grabs my hand, giving it a little squeeze. I know without him even saying a word that he wants to talk to Holden about the massive fucking life change we’re about to make. Of course he does. And I can’t blame him. Because I’m itching to do the same. I probably already would have, had that not been a conversation I owed to Beck first.
I’m half-worried that he’s going to change his mind, even though I doubt that’s going to happen. Once Beck sets his mind on something, that’s it. He’s steady as the sun. Always has been. He turns to me, pinning me with those gorgeous eyes. “Can I tell him?” he asks quietly.
I stare at him for a second, my heart in my throat, before nodding. His entire face lights up and he turns to Holden, who’s watching us with a questioning look on his face. Beck draws in a deep breath, and I think I’m realizing fully for the first time how much this really means to him. “How do you and Julian feel about being uncles?”
Holden tilts his head to the side. “Are you guys thinking about having kids?”
I nod, my heart fluttering wildly. “There’s a boy who came to the center yesterday. We want to foster him, and hopefully adopt.”
Before I can even blink, we’re being hug-tackled to the couch by Holden. The fluffy ball at the end of his hat hits me in the mouth, and I’m left sputtering, trying to get the fabric off my lips. “Jesus, Hold.”
He pulls back, laughing brightly, with Beck’s laughter joining in. “Holy shit, this is the coolest news ever.” He’s still half-sprawled across our laps, and my legs arescreamingat me.
“Hold, seriously. I wasn’t kidding about my legs.”
He gets up with an annoyed huff and settles back on the table in front of us. “Oh my God. I can’t wait to tell Wren. She’s going to be so excited.”
I grimace and Holden clocks it immediately. “Let’s wait to tell Wren. At least until we know for sure he wants to stay with us.”
