Page 91 of Tripped Up

His face draws into a frown. “I don’t think I want to hear this.”

“I’m saying this all wrong.” I scrub a hand over my face. “Wyatt, I think I’m falling in love with you. And that absolutely fucking terrifies me, but⁠—”

Joy spreads over his face. “You love me?”

Swallowing my fear, I nod. “I love you.” And when the world doesn’t crash around us, I laugh. “I love you.”

He lets out a whoop of delight, pulling me into his arms and crushing me into him.

“I love you so fucking much,” he says into my ear, holding me so close I can feel the steady pulse of his heartbeat against mine.

“I love you more,” I tease, loving the way his eyes flash with happiness.

“I talked to my mom today,” he says.

“Oh?” He doesn’t mention his parents often, but I know he thinks about them. It weighs heavily on him they aren’t closer. It doesn’t bother me that I’m not close to mine; it’s better for all of us that way. I’ve got Mitch and Bex and, now, Wyatt. That’s all I need.

“I invited them to come to Austin, to meet you.”

Blinking back my surprise, I tell him, “I’d love to meet your parents.”

He shrugs. “Yeah, well, you might not get a chance. She wasn’t enthusiastic.”

My heart breaks all over again. “Wyatt…”

“But it’s okay,” he says. “I can’t be the only one trying. If they don’t want to have a close relationship, that’s their right. I can’t force them to love me.”

“They do. In their own way, they do.” I lay my hand on his cheek. “And I’ll be there to support you, every step of the way.”

“I know. I haven’t doubted that.” His stormy blue eyes meet mine. “I’m ready to start my own family.”

I freeze. “Your own family?”

We’ve talked about kids in the abstract in that we both want them, but…

“Yeah. You and Bex. Mitchell, too, I guess, since it seems like we’re stuck with him.” He gives me a wry smile. “You adopted Henry as your brother, so I guess he’s part of the family. Anyone else you want to include?”

“Our own family…”

“We can pick and choose the people we spend our energy on,” Wyatt says. “We don’t have to subject ourselves to people who don’t value us. Who don’t care about the ways they hurt us.” His sharp inhalation makes my heart race. “I want to surround myself with the people who care about me, not the people who don’t.”

“I think that’s a wonderful idea,” I drawl. “And… the other type of family?”

“As soon as you’re ready, we can try for some kids. Teach them how to skate and how to play the violin.” A slow grin spreads over his face. “But let’s get married first.”

I laugh. “First you want to start a family, now you want to get married?”

“When we’re ready,” he amends. “I know without a doubt I want to spend the rest of my life with you. You’re it for me. You’re my person.”

My breath catches. Is he saying what I think he’s saying?

“We don’t need to rush,” he continues. “As soon as we’re both ready, we can get married. I just want you to know where my head’s at. I want to build a life with you. However long it takes, whatever the timeline, I want my future to be with you.”

I curl into him. “I want that, too.”

Wyatt kisses me. “Then it’s a plan. You and me, together. Forever.”

epilogue