Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 73002 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73002 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
“Yeah, and we’re going to stop in Nashville to see Wells’s new nephew,” Matty volunteered.
Wells beamed. “And maybe another stop in Florida to hang with Ashlyn?”
“That would be perfect,” Matty agreed, and Seth shook his head.
“Well, I’m jealous. I wish I could get away.”
Matty laughed. “Perks of working hard to make it in the NHL.”
“Ah, fuck off,” he said, and all of them started laughing as who Wells assumed was Laurence came up beside Seth.
As their laughter subsided, Laurence looked from Wells to Matty and then cleared his throat. Wells could see Matty tense up as he met his brother’s gaze. “I won’t apologize for how I feel.”
“I’d never ask you to,” Matty replied. “I just hope I’m not losing a brother because of who I love. Considering I’d never do that to you.”
“I’d never love another man.”
“Well, that’s where we are different, then.”
Laurence chanced a glance at Wells and then shrugged. “I guess so, but I don’t like this.”
“And that’s your choice.”
“A stupid choice,” Seth added.
“But his choice,” Matty reiterated. “But no matter what, this is the man I love, and he isn’t going anywhere.”
Wells looked over at Matty and winked. “I’m not.”
“Mommy is having a baby!”
Thea gasped as everyone turned to where Jace, Avery, and Ashlyn were standing by the table. Avery was beet red as she held up a finger to Ashlyn. “I told you to wait.”
Ashlyn shrugged. “So…now?”
“Jesus,” Jace said, shaking his head. “Yes, now.”
“Yay! My mommy is having a baby!”
Everyone laughed as Thea cried out and ran to Avery. It didn’t take long before everyone was hugging them and congratulating them. Matty looked just as excited as he did when they had found out what felt like so long ago. Watching as Matty interacted with his family, Wells couldn’t help but hope that, for Matty’s sake, Laurence and Benedict would come around. He didn’t want him to have to wait like Wells had had to. He wanted Matty to have it all. But even if he never got it, he’d still always have Wells.
He could promise that over and over again.
One thing was for sure, he loved that man. He loved everything about him, and he adored that Matty loved everything about Wells. Their road hadn’t been easy—lots of ups, downs, and around—but it was their road, and they drove it together. And at the end, Matty was his, and he was Matty’s. Shit, he was sounding like Wren.
When Matty turned from hugging Avery tightly, he locked eyes with Wells, and he grinned. A full one that took up every bit of his gorgeous face. His eyes were sparkling as a grin pulled at Wells’s lips before Matty headed toward him, holding out his hand. Matty’s eyes were full of light, and Wells swore they held everything he could ever hope for.
A great, happy life with the man he loved.
“You can never hear anything better than news of a new life coming into the world,” Matty started, his eyes trained on Wells, and for a second, Wells thought Matty was talking to him. But when Wells went to agree, Matty continued on, “But before we came inside to see everyone, I asked Wells to marry me. And since we are all sharing news, he said yes.”
Well, Wells wasn’t expecting that. Glancing over to where everyone was gawking at them, some for the good, and some for the not so good, Wells smiled. “I did.”
Thea cried out, rushing to them with Avery on her heels as they congratulated and gushed over both of them. Next was Jace who very hesitantly wished them the best, still not able to fully forgive Matty on Avery’s behalf, before Seth hugged them both. When Matty looked up, Wells knew he was hoping his father and Laurence would be next, but both of them were standing beside the table. Wells could see the disappointment on Matty’s face, so he squeezed his hand. “I didn’t know we were telling people yet.”
Matty scoffed. “You’re lucky I didn’t do a press conference.”
Wells rolled his eyes. “Look at you, all about the dramatics now.”
Matty shrugged. “Dramatics maybe, but I think of it as growing some balls.”
Wells grinned. “You have some, my love. I know,” he added with a wink.
Matty laughed. “I mean that nothing scares me anymore. Almost losing you for the second time was terrifying, so I’m pretty sure nothing else will ever scare me like that again.”
Wells’s heart swelled as he pulled Matty closer, kissing his temple. But when Benedict cleared his throat, Wells slowly pulled away, looking over at him. “I wish you both the best,” he said.
Matty slowly nodded. “Thanks, Dad.”
“But I won’t be there.”
“Benedict!”
“Dad!” Avery complained, along with Seth.
“That’s shitty.”
“I won’t either,” Laurence added, and Seth rolled his eyes.
“God, get your head out of Dad’s ass and think for yourself!”
“I am. This isn’t okay!”