Page 486 of Summer Heat
I’ll stay with him. Daniel is where my home is. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“I’ve wanted you for far too long to not have you forever now.”
“I’m yours,” I promise him.
?
??You’ve always been mine.”
The sound of footsteps is drowned out by a voice that echoes down into the open space. It’s grand to say the least, but I can’t take it in. I can only watch two men walk into the foyer.
“Addison,” one of them says, catching me by surprise. It takes me a long time to realize it’s Jase. I almost cry when I do. He looks so much more like Tyler than Daniel does. They always looked alike. Daniel tightens his grip on me as my voice cracks. “Jase.”
I clear my throat as Jase stands tall in front of me.
“You look so different,” Jase tells me.
“You don’t,” I say quickly but then take it back. “I mean you do, but you don’t.”
He smirks down at me and runs his forefinger and thumb over his chin. “Funny, I don’t remember you being this shy.”
I can only shrug; I don’t trust myself to speak and I can hardly keep eye contact as I remember all the memories together. Jase and Tyler were close. The closest. And unless Tyler wanted privacy, Jase was there. Like an annoying brother.
Part of me is still aware that I’m holding on to Daniel with a white-knuckled grip. And that part of me wants to let go, so I can hug Jase.
“It’s good to have you home. Everyone else thinks so too, trust me.”
“Do you-” I falter and pick worriedly at the pocket of my jeans with the hand not being held firmly by Daniel. The questions I have are all begging to come out at once.
Do you hate me for leaving him?
Do you blame me for what happened?
Do you forgive me? That’s the one that lingers. That’s the only one that matters. “I’m sorry-” I start to say, but the words are tainted with a small cry.
“Addison.” A voice to my right startles me before I can gather the strength to chance the apology. “So how’d you get him back here?” a deep voice asks me and I know immediately it’s Declan.
Daniel pulls me in closer, planting a small kiss on my temple in front of both of them as we stand in the foyer. It’s all too much, but none of them seem taken aback. Neither of the brothers is looking at me as if anything is off.
As if I’m not a reminder of what they’ve lost. Not an outsider. Not an enemy.
My lips part and I’m not sure what to say, but I’m grateful. I’m so grateful that I’m welcome. And that I get to see them again.
I never thought I would.
“Where’s Carter?” Daniel asks Declan, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me in more just slightly, but still easy and casually. His thumb hooks into my jeans and gently caresses my hip as he talks to both brothers.
I try not to make it awkward.
It takes everything in me not to cry upon seeing both of them.
I’m surprised when Daniel loosens his grip on me and whatever they were talking about comes to a halt.
I’m even more surprised when Jase leans in close.
“It’s good to see you, Addie,” Jase says and hugs me hard, so hard that Daniel has to take a step back. Finally letting my hand go as Jase pulls me to him. It’s been a long time since someone’s called me Addie. They all did back then. All of them but Daniel. I was always Addison to him.
The hug is short-lived and I’m still numb from it along with the shock of everything when Daniel asks for a minute. As soon as his brothers turn away, I press my palms to my eyes and try to calm myself down. It’s emotionally taxing to see those you’ve mourned because you thought you’d lost them forever.
