My Only One Read online

  Immediately, I try to explain. “I thought it’d be easier if I lived closer so you wouldn’t have such a long commute when you stayed over.”

  “I see, but maybe you shouldn’t make such a risky decision. What if...you decide you don’t like the new house and want to go back to the old house but the house isn’t there anymore? And instead of saying, ‘oh I don’t like this new house’ you feel stuck with it because you don’t have any options anymore.”

  I stop and grab Dally by the shoulders. Her eyes are fixated on my chest. I place a finger under her chin and gently nudge her head up until I can see her face. There’s concern with hurt curling in on the sides.

  “What’s going on, darling?”

  A tear slips out of her eye. I swipe it away with my thumb. “Darling, darling, what is happening?” My own heartrate picks up.

  “Why now, Mack? Why after all these years have you suddenly decided that I’m good enough for your bed and how long is that going to last?”

  “Why what?” I nearly fall back in surprise.

  “I don’t want to be the house you choose because there aren’t other properties on the market or you think that this house is the one you should own because everyone else around you thinks it’s a pretty house.” The tears are coming faster, running over my thumbs and down the back of my hands. My throat starts to ache.

  “Darling, yours is the only house I want. I… didn’t we talk about this before?” And then it strikes me that we did not because I got shot and after that, we decided we wouldn’t waste any more time and the explanations for my past behavior just slid right out of my brain to make space for all the dirty thoughts I had about her. “Fuck me, I’m an idiot.” I crush her hard against my chest and clasp my hand around the back of her head. “I’ve always been madly in love with you, Dally, but I waited for you to give me a sign that you wanted my attention. I never wanted you to feel like you had to choose me because Star was with Maisie.”

  She pushes away from my chest. “What are you talking about?”

  I raise my hands. “Everyone was throwing us together and it seemed like you weren’t going to have a choice. Plus, whenever I kind of made a move, you seemed sort of scared so I just kept it cool. I’d decided that if all I could have was your friendship that would be enough.”

  Her eyes widen. “Are you serious? You were always putting me in the friendzone. ‘Hey, Dally, let’s get some beers together and watch the new Avengers movie. I hear there’s good shots of Evans’ ass,’” she says, badly mimicking my lower voice.

  My brows crash together. “You couldn’t stop talking about Chris Evans’ ass for a good two months. You sent me text messages of it saying that his ass was the real super power.”

  “That was because—” she shoves a frustrated hand through her hair. “Because I didn’t want to get hurt and so it was easier to pretend like I didn’t like you than open myself up to be curb-stomped.”

  “So you liked me all this time?”

  “Yeah.”

  “And we could’ve been together all this time?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Wow. I kind of want to beat my own ass.” I take her hand and fold her fingers into a fist. “Maybe you should hit me now. It’ll make me feel better.”

  She looks at the newly formed fist and then my face, as if weighing her options. I decide to not wait for her this time. Instead, I fall to one knee, still holding the fist and look up into Dally’s glittering eyes. “Dally, I’ve loved you from the moment I saw you. But I was a dumb man. I’m still pretty dumb but I like to think I’ve evolved a tiny bit. Will you please do me the great honor of marrying me and making sure that I reach my full potential as a human being? I know I can’t do it without you.”

  Chapter 19

  Dally

  My mouth hangs open in shock as I stare down at Mack, who’s on one knee proposing to me. More tears fill my eyes as his words sink in. My heart is full, knowing that he feels the same way about me as I do him.

  “That’s not the reaction I was hoping for when I popped the question.” He tries to tease me but I can see the uncertainty in his eyes. It makes me wonder how many times I’ve missed it before. He’s been in love with me this whole time and I didn't know it. All of that time wasted. We could have been enjoying life together for so many years. Unspoken words and feelings have prevented that. I won’t wait another second to let him know how I feel.

  “It’s happy tears, I swear,” I get out. I sniffle. I’m sure I look a mess. Maisie has a way of crying that makes her look adorable but it’s not the same for me. I tend to full-on ugly cry. There is nothing cute about it in the least. The way Mack is looking at me, though, you’d think I am the most beautiful creature to ever have walked this planet. He pulls me down to him so I'm sitting in his lap. Neither of us care that we’re on the sidewalk. People passing by are surely giving us strange looks but I don’t give a crap. Mack has just told me he’s loved me for years. That he wants to get married. That I make him a better person. I want to show him that I feel all the same things for him.

  “Put me out of my misery and say yes.”

  “Yes!” I half scream in his face before I start kissing him all over his handsome face knowing he doesn't care if I get him wet with my tears. He holds me closer.

  “I have the ring at home,” he says through my kisses.

  “You already have a ring.” I pull back to look at him. The man is always prepared. I shouldn’t be surprised. He stands with me in his arms, setting me on my feet. I’m on the taller side but next to him I always feel short and delicate. It’s one of the things I love about Mack. He always makes me feel beautiful. He has a way about him that makes everything about me seem better. How could I have not seen how well the two of us would be together all along? I’ve been so blind and such an idiot for so long. I vow to myself to never waste another minute with him because I know firsthand that no one is guaranteed tomorrow.

  His fingers tangle with mine as he leads me toward the ice cream shop. Part of me wants to tell him to forget about the ice cream but the other part of me is begging for a sweet treat. Plus, I’m always curious to hear more of what he has to say. I know if we go back to his place and he slides a ring on my finger there will be no talking. We’ll be back in his bed before either of us knows what happened. I suddenly feel a little bit nervous. A pit grows in my stomach as I remember my earlier conversation with Maisie. I think it’s only fair that I tell Mack about my pregnancy suspicions. I need to clue him into the fact that I haven't been taking my pills. I’m not sure how he’ll handle that. He’s never asked if I am on anything and never once did he utter the word condom. I need to have this conversation with him sooner rather than later.

  I let him lead us to the ice cream shop where he orders for me without having to ask what I want. This man really has been paying attention. He finds us a seat, pulling a chair out for me. Thankfully the place is pretty dead and we get a small table in the corner.

  “Yeah, I have a ring,” he admits like it’s no big deal.

  “How long have you had it?” He lifts his eyes from his sundae to meet mine.

  “Years. You pointed it out in a magazine once at family dinner. Said how beautiful it was when you and Maisie were flipping through some bridal magazine.” My mind flashes back. There have been so many Sunday family dinners. I know what ring he’s talking about. I loved the ring because it was simple but still beautiful. It has square diamonds that make up the band instead of having a giant stone sit in the center like you see with most rings. “Say something, darling. Your silence is slowly killing me. I’ve had to go too long with it. Now that I know you’re going to be my wife I want to know I’ll never have to have it again. That we’ll always tell each other what we’re feeling going forward.”

  “I’m sure we’ll fight and I’ll give you the silent treatment,” I rebuff. He gives me a smirk. “I was only thinking that we shouldn't be so mad that we’ve missed years of being together.” I reach ou
t and take his hand. “We have been together. Maybe not in all the ways we could’ve been but we have been there for one another. You’ve been my best friend and closest confidant for so long.” He kisses me before I can continue. This time it’s gentle. I pull back, looking into his eyes. “You’ve always supported everything I do. I can’t tell you how much that means to me. Thank you for always believing in me and making all of my dreams a reality.”

  “No more being stupid though. We’re a couple and I want this shit finalized fast.”

  I laugh. Typical Mack, as impatient as ever.

  “I’m sure your mom will waste no time planning a wedding. I’ll be shocked if she hasn't started already. I could see her excitement over the idea of us being together. I didn't play into it because.” I shrug. He knows why. We both do. It’s laughable that we both had the same fears about this.

  “Might have told her to start getting some stuff together.” He gives me another one of those no big deal shrugs.

  “That’s good, because I know you said no more being stupid.” My stomach tightens. Marriage is one thing but babies are life-changing and that’s a whole new league of its own. He gives my hand a squeeze, silently telling me to spill it. “I haven't been taking my pill,” I blurt out.

  “I know.”

  “You know?”

  That’s all he says. Nothing more. He doesn't look shocked or anything. In fact, he takes a bite of his ice cream with his other hand. “Darling. I know everything about you. You think I didn't notice you hadn't packed your pills?”

  “How do you even know I’m on the pill?” I ask. I don’t know why. This isn't the point. The realization that he’s known all along sinks in. That each and every time we had sex there was a chance that I could get pregnant and it didn’t stop him has me feeling a lot of emotion. Relief being the primary one. I should have known better than to doubt Mack. He will always do what’s best for me.

  “I love you, Dally, and I want whatever that love brings us. If you’re not pregnant now, you will be soon enough.” He winks at me. I smack his arm. Tears fill my eyes at how perfect this all is.

  “Take me home.” Those words barely finish leaving my lips before he has me in his arms and is heading back toward the car. I’ve never been happier than I am in this moment. Mack has proven to me so many times over the years that he’s willing to do anything to make me happy. He made all of my dreams come true professionally and now he’s giving me the happily ever after that people only dream of. He is truly my one and only.

  Epilogue

  Mack

  The scene in my backyard gives me a weird déjà vu. My sister is there with her wife and four kids. They had two sets of....well, twins, I’d guess you call it. The two got inseminated at the same time. Maisie thought it would be romantic. Privately, Star told me it was nuts because they both had morning sickness so instead of one person being able to comfort the other, they’d both lie on the tile floor miserable as hell.

  Maisie said that this was bonding and sweet and how the two of them were so much closer for their shared pains. The whole time Maisie was explaining this to me, Star stood behind her wife making throat-cutting gestures which I didn’t understand. Did she mean I should cut Maisie off or that Star wanted to cut her own neck because of how awful childbirth was? I wasn’t sure, but whatever Star’s objections were, they didn’t stop her from doing it again. The second time, Star said that it was easier to get it over with together. Dally got the baby bug and so I had three pregnant women on my hands. It was hell. Seventeen years later, I remember every gruesome second of those nine months.

  “You’re thinking about the year, aren’t you?” Dally teases, swishing her fine ass by me with her hands carrying a big salad bowl. I snag her waist and pull her close, placing my nose in the crook of her neck.

  She smells fresh, like linens freshly laid on the bed. “Best year of my life,” I lie.

  She rests the back of her head against my shoulder. “Every year with me is the best.”

  “That’s the truth.” And it was. No matter how many times I had to run to the store to get peanut brittle or ranch salad dressing. No matter how many foreheads I wiped or puke stains I cleaned up, having those babies was worth every minute of the pain. And every year I’ve spent with Dally, I’ve only fallen more in love every day. How could I not? She’s smart, generous, kind. Basically, the best person ever, along with being gorgeous and a fantastic lay. Even after all these years, just standing close to her gets me excited. My hands drop to her waist and I rub her ass against my growing erection.

  “Have I told you how beautiful you look today?”

  “Only once,” Dally murmurs.

  “I’ve fallen down on my job.” I bite her neck lightly. She shudders. I widen my fingers and enjoy the feel of her round pregnant belly under my palm and the heat of her body through the thin cotton of her dress.

  “Can you not?” cries my daughter, Paige. “We’re about to eat dinner. Is it possible for you to keep your hands off of each other for like five seconds?”

  I lift my head and spear my youngest with a scolding look. “Who said you could talk?”

  “You did when you impregnated Mom!” my spitfire retorts.

  With a sad sigh, I step back from Dally and will my erection back into a dormant state. I slide a look toward my beloved. “Did you give her these rights?”

  Dally smirks. “I certainly did. Come on, baby girl. Let’s get these salads outside before your grandparents file an elder abuse lawsuit.”

  “They can do that from Cannes?” my daughter says.

  “Their yacht is in Monaco now, I believe,” replies Dally. “Your granddaddy mentioned something about hosting the prince for dinner.”

  “What a life,” Paige sighs dreamily. “When I get my first patent, I’m going to buy a boat with it.”

  “You absolutely should,” Dally encourages. “How is your latest invention?”

  The two voices trail off as they get farther away. I watch my two girls walk down the terraced steps to the eating area set up near the pool where the rest of my family is settled. There’s the two sets of twins. My aunt, the Mad Chef, watches as her daughter serves up the barbecue that has been smoking for hours. The Mad Chef’s husband, the now-retired, former captain of the police department, pours red wine into everyone’s glasses and makes a joke that has

  Uncle Cullen

  throwing his head back in laughter.

  “You can come out, son,” I call. “The danger is gone.”

  My six foot four inch seventeen-year-old sidles out from behind the stairs. “I’m trying to retain my innocence for as long as possible.”

  “I found three empty condom boxes just last week so unless you’re using them to make water balloons, I’m thinking your innocence was taken long before today.”

  He makes a face. “Paige is right, Dad. You and Mom act like newlyweds. Half my friends’ parents are divorced and you two are making out like you just met. At this stage, you’re supposed to be sleeping in separate beds and scowling at each other over oatmeal in the morning.”

  “Sounds fake to me.” I grab the two pies that Auntie MJ made and shove them into Porter’s hands. “If you ever think the person you’re dating isn’t someone you want to spend the rest of your life loving, then you should break up immediately because that’s not the one for you. Don’t waste her time or yours.”

  Porter nods. “Yessir.”

  I ruffle his hair even though he’s an inch taller than me because he’s still my son even though in a year he’ll be an adult and at college. “You’ll be a good partner,” I assure him. “Whoever you pick.”

  His cheeks turn a light pink. “I’m not ready for any of that.”

  “I know but when you meet the right person, you will be.” My hand drops to his shoulder.

  “It might not be someone you would approve of.” His eyes meet mine, slightly anxious but straight on, as if he’s prepared to defend his beliefs.

  M
y heart squeezes at the man he’s becoming. I’m proud of him. Proud of Paige, too. Dally’s been a great mom and I haven’t fucked up too badly. “I trust your judgment so whoever you bring home, I’m gonna love.”

  “Even if it’s not someone like Paige?”

  “Even if it’s not a girl,” I say because I know that’s his worry.

  He swallows hard and then tightens his jaw because he doesn’t want to tear up--not today with all the family around.

  “Go take the pies to the table,” a soft voice interrupts.

  We both look up to see Dally at the door, a tender expression on her face. She comes over and tugs her son’s head down so she can give him a kiss on the cheek. “Go on, now. Your grandfather is asking for you.”

  Porter doesn’t need to be told twice. He’s not big on talking about his feelings so he appreciates the out Dally is giving him.

  My wife comes and tucks herself next to my side. “Did he finally confess?”

  “Sort of?” I scratch the side of my nose. “Not in so many words, I guess, but we came to an understanding.”

  “He doesn’t want to lose your respect.”

  “That could never happen. Not with how you raised him.” I drop a kiss on the top of her head. “I guess we didn’t do too bad with our kids, huh?”

  “They’re two of the very best humans ever to be created,” she agrees.

  “Probably because they have the best mom.”

  “Maisie and Star would disagree,” Dally says.

  “Those two would be wrong like they always are,” I reply. Dally giggles and it sends a vibration of arousal down my spine. “Wanna sneak off?” I suggest. I can never stop wanting her, nor do I want to stop.

  “We shouldn’t.”

  “That doesn’t sound like a no.”

  “It’s not.”

  That’s all I need to hear. I reach down and lift her into my arms and make my way to our bedroom.

  She curls her arms around my neck. “Have I told you how much I love you?”