Page 107 of Sterling Touch
“I’m sorry,” Vale hangs her head, and I slide my hand up her back, squeezing her nape. “I should have told you sooner.”
Not ask for his permission. Just been honest with him.
Stone doesn’t ask how long this has been going on. I’m thinking he doesn’t care. Something is happening here between his sister and me, and that’s all that matters.
“I was . . . scared.” She glances up at me once more before looking back at Stone. “I didn’t want to hurt you.”
“Vale.” Stone’s rough voice softens while his bushy brows rise, surprised by her admission.
“You’ve done so much for me.” Her voice thickens and she clears her throat. “Everythingfor me,” she admits, giving him the credit he’s due. “And I love you, Stone. Iappreciateall you’ve done, and everything I know you’ll ever do for Hudson.”
Licking her lips, she glances at me over her shoulder before looking at her brother. “But if you truly love me, and want me to be happy, like you always say you do, then you’ll accept this. Accept that I love Cort.”
My breath hitches and I glance at Vale, who twists to look up at me.
“Because I love you, Cort.” Her eyes are full of hope and desire and a speck of fear.
Fear that I won’t reciprocate the feeling, but I never want her to doubt me. I never want to disappoint her again. Any hesitation I ever felt was never about her.
“I love you, too, Bee.”
Vale flings her arms around me, and I accept the embrace, wrapping my arms around her as well.
Still, I risk a glance at Stone, beseeching him to understand. I don’t need his blessing, but I want grace for Vale.
Stone only stares back at me, his expression one I can’t read as we are no longer brothers from another. Two decades of harm and silence separate us now. So, I don’t linger on Stone’s face. I tuck my nose into Vale’s neck, inhaling her honey scent and holding her tighter against me.
This amazing, confident, strong woman has chosen me. She loves me as I am, and I want to love her in return with all I have.
When I hear the crunch of gravel beneath retreating feet, I don’t glance up. I close my eyes and hug Vale as close as I can get her to me.
With happiness wrapped in my arms, I don’t ever plan to let her go.
With our relationshipout in the open, I don’t waste any time doing something I feel is only right. I’m not looking to rub Vale and me in Stone’s face, but there is someone even more important than all of us to speak with.
With a few hours before Haven Hitters’ practice, Vale is home early today, so I climb the stairs to the Sylver family home in broad daylight.
My chest holds a weight on it, but it isn’t heavy like that time more than two decades ago when I was here. Standing in the yard, confessing one of my greatest sins to the young, newly appointed owner of this property.
Nope. Today I’m here with a rumble of nerves in my gut for a different reason. After a short, sharp rap on the front door, I step back, rubbing my hands along the sides of my jeans.
When Stone opens the door, he narrows his eyes at me. “What do you want?”
Not the greeting I expected, though certainly one I should anticipate receiving every time I step on this porch. But I’m not here to profess tohimall the promises I plan to make Vale.
“I’m here to see Vale.” I’m not asking his permission. While I’d like his blessing, that might take time, if I ever earn it. However, Stone isn’t Vale’s father or keeper. She is her own headstrong person who can make decisions for herself.
There is someone else I’d like to get approval from.
Within seconds, Vale is behind Stone. Her smile is sweet and hopeful, because she knows this is important to me. Hudson is right beside her.
“Hey, Coach,” Hudson addresses me before glancing up at his uncle who has hardly moved. His broad hand still holds the edge of the front door like he intends to slam it in my face any second now.
“Hey, pal.” As I don’t want to do this through a screen door, or even with Stone standing like a centurion in front of Hudson, I ask, “Can you step out here for a second?”
Vale tugs at Hudson’s shoulders to get a better look at his face and smiles, before tipping her chin toward me. Hudson gives one more glance to Stone before stepping past him and onto the covered porch.
“Want to take a seat?” I point toward a swing at the end of the porch.
