voices lulled me to a place of relaxation and safety, and I sat in my seat, Leo’s hand in mine, just listening as conversation bounced back and forth.
Every so often someone flung a comment my way, and I batted it back. They treated me like just another one of them. Sitting there, I believed I could be. It felt true.
Leo laughed next to me. “No, Saint,” he called in response to his brother’s latest teasing. “Just shut that big mouth.”
Saint spoke his next comment through tightly pursed lips, and Leo laughed again.
“Nice try.”
I glanced at Leo, and happiness glowed from him, all sparkly eyes and wide grins. He was happier than I’d ever seen him, and I wanted him to always be that way. Hopefully, I could keep him this happy.
Liam Caldwell stood, and I swallowed, my chest constricting. I’d heard about this part, too. The chat with Mr. Caldwell.
“Shayne. Can I show you the view of the yard from the deck?” He gestured toward doors leading outside. “Vanessa designed all that, too.”
“The fairy lights everywhere really make it.” Leo chuckled as his mom swiped lightly for his upper arm.
“They really do!” she insisted.
“Sure, Mom.” Saint was still talking using his little mouth and they all erupted into laughter as I followed Leo’s dad outside.
We sat on a swing seat and the quiet lapping of the pool below provided the beat to each gentle rock of the swing. The light scent of a nearby flower tickled my nose, and I drew a deep breath of the perfume into my chest.
“I just wanted to check in with you about Leo.”
I nodded, hoping he could see my acknowledgment in the low light.
He sighed. “I’ve never had a favorite son. But I do have a son who needs more kindness and connection than his brothers. He never asks for it—I don’t think he always knows how or when—but I always know when he needs it, just like I meet the needs of my other sons. Leo is much more fragile than he looks. His muscles suggest a strength that doesn’t always extend beneath the surface. His image is carefully crafted to provide him with a shield against the rest of the world because he was deeply hurt during the incident before.”
“I know.” I choked on my words.
“Somehow, he got through the bullying, somehow he lost the weight. I can’t imagine the strength of character my son has that he is able to open his heart to you again with the level of trust that must take. So I need to know, Shayne, are you back for good, or back for a good time? I’m not sure Leo would survive the second one.” His low voice was matter of fact rather than accusing, and I sucked in a breath.
“Leo is an amazing guy. I have no intention of hurting him again. I want to protect him. I want to make him happy.” I faltered, unsure what else I could say. “I promise.”
“That sounds good to me.”
He didn’t say anything else, but we swung and listened to the sounds of nighttime in the hills overlooking Lakeshore, and I missed the upbringing I’d never had.
Eventually, the sounds of talking and laughing began to fade inside, and Liam stood up. “Sounds like I’m finally getting my house back.” He chuckled. “I love them all but they get noisier with every year that passes.”
“I love it.” The confession slipped out before I engaged my brain-to-mouth filters, and I cringed at how weak it must make me sound.
He threw his arm over my shoulders. “Glad to hear it.”
Leo was pretty much the last man standing when we got back inside and he offered me a tiny, questioning thumbs-up. I nodded, and he smiled.
“Told you,” he mouthed.
Leo’s mom walked to her husband and leaned against him where he stood, and he tucked her head beneath his chin as he pulled her closer. My heart ached at the obvious love between them and the recognition of what my parents were missing from their lives and also what I wanted to achieve in mine.
I wanted that with Leo, and I wasn’t going to waste my second chance with him. I reached for his hand and entwined my fingers with his.
“You guys were a while outside.” Vanessa looked at her husband.
He grinned. “It’s a nice, quiet night in the hills.”
“Hm.” She tightened her mouth but she was fighting an amused twitch at the corners of her lips. “Nice to avoid the dishwashing duty,