I Will Love You (Forever and Ever #23)

by E. L. Todd

  His body relaxed and he took a deep breath. “I guess I don’t have a choice, huh?”

  My heart raced.

  “I’ll regret it if I don’t give him another chance—not after everything you just said.”

  I wanted to jump into the air and scream. “Really?”

  “Yeah…and I’ve always wanted a family.”

  I pulled him into my arms and hugged him. “Welcome to ours.” I patted his back while I held him. “And I’m a pretty good dad. Just ask my kids. I can be overprotective, annoying, and controlling but all those traits come from a good place.”

  “I already know you’re a great dad,” he said. “I can’t count the number of times I heard Roland say that.”

  My heart burned at his words. “Yeah?”

  “Yeah.”

  ***

  Roland opened the door and looked at me. “Did you forget something?”

  “Actually, you did.” I stepped aside and revealed Heath.

  Roland turned his eyes on him, and surprise and emotion immediately surged through him. His breathing increased and his skin turned pale. His lips parted slightly, like he couldn’t believe Heath was really there.

  Heath put his hands in his pockets and stared at Roland. “I’d like to work this out…if you still want me.”

  I watched Roland’s face as his eyes watered.

  He didn’t say anything. Instead, he moved into his chest and hugged him tightly, burying his face in his shoulder. Heath wrapped his arms around him and returned the embrace, his eyes watery.

  “I can’t believe you’re here,” Roland whispered.

  “I can’t believe I took so long,” Heath said back. “Your dad talked some sense into me.”

  Roland pulled away and looked at me. “You did this…?”

  “You’d know I do anything for you, Roland. My purpose in life is to make you happy. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

  Roland hugged me so hard I almost fell backwards. “Thanks, Dad.”

  I chuckled then returned the embrace, rubbing his back. “You’re welcome, son.” Then I dropped the affection. “Now go to him. I’m sure you guys have a lot of catching up to do.”

  Heath pulled Roland back to him then kissed him on the mouth.

  I watched their affection, knowing what they had was real and true. It didn’t make me uncomfortable and I didn’t think it was weird. I was just glad my son was happy.

  “After you guys get reacquainted, you should come to the house for dinner,” I said. “Scarlet would love to have both of you over—and me.”

  “That sounds great.” Heath was talking to me but staring at Roland.

  “We’ll let you know,” Roland said, meeting his gaze.

  I knew my part in this story was over. They needed privacy. “I’ll see you later.” I walked away and didn’t wait for them to say goodbye. I hoped they were too busy with each other to notice me anyway.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Slade

  I stared at the outfits Trinity had on the bed. There was a pair of light blue pants covered in holes and a polo white shirt with red stripes. Then khaki shorts were next to it with a yellow collared shirt. “Uh…you want me to wear this?” I tried to be delicate so I wouldn’t hurt her feelings. But if she thought I was going to wear this she was out of her mind.

  “Yeah,” she said. “It’ll look good for the pictures. We’re taking them at the beach.” She placed the polo shirt against me and compared it to my skin tone. “You’ll look so handsome, Slade.”

  Was she serious? “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?” I wore dark jeans and a t-shirt, like always.

  “It’s not good for pictures,” she said.

  “And this is?” I demanded. “When have I ever worn a polo shirt?”

  “Well, when have you ever taken pictures?” she demanded. “Now change or we’re going to be late.”

  I couldn’t let this happen. We’d have these pictures forever, and everyone would love to tease me mercilessly for it. My dad would be the first one to take me down. “Trinity, I’m not wearing it.” I tried not to snap or yell. I was trying to get better at that.

  She turned her fiery gaze on me. “You. Are. Wearing. It.” She gave me a challenging look like she dared me to say otherwise. “I picked this out just for this shoot. I bought these clothes and they fit you perfectly.”

  “How would you know?” I asked. “I’ve never tried them on.”

  “I just know.”

  I snatched the shirt then threw it on the ground. “This is what I’m wearing.”

  “It doesn’t match what I’m wearing.”

  “Why do we have to match?” I hissed. “We aren’t a couple from the fifties.”

  She put her hands on her hips. “Slade, don’t piss me off right now.”

  “Then don’t make me dress like a chum.” I picked up the shirt off the ground. “When have I ever worn long sleeves?”

  “We need to hide your tattoos.”

  My head was about to explode. “What. The. Fuck.” She couldn’t say anything more insulting. “I like my sleeves and I’m not hiding them. Last time I checked, you liked them too.”

  “I do like them,” she said. “But I don’t think they’re appropriate for our engagement pictures.”

  I was trying not to scream. “Look, I am who I am. You told me you love me exactly as I am. So I’m not going to change for some stupid pictures. I got these sleeves because I want other people to see them. Don’t make me cover them up.”

  “I just—”

  “I’m not wearing any of this crap, and I’m not covering up. Accept that or there will be no damn pictures.”

  Trinity bit her lip like she was going to argue with me. But after several seconds of not yelling it seemed like she was reconsidering that option. “Fine. What do you want to wear then?”

  Did I actually win an argument? “This.”

  She eyed me up and down then walked into my closet. She pulled out a blue t-shirt I wore sometimes. “How about this?” she asked. “This is a fair compromise.”

  I preferred the shirt I was wearing, but she was right. I needed to meet her half way. “I’ll wear it.”

  “Thank you,” she said. “Now change and let’s go.”

  It was the first time we had a heated argument that didn’t result in a catastrophic fight. We both managed to keep our cool. I didn’t scream and go on a rampage like I normally do, so that didn’t set her off in one of her tantrums.

  Was this what it was like to have a real adult relationship?

  ***

  We got to the beach then met with our photographer.

  “This is my fiancé, Slade,” Trinity said. “We’re excited to take these pictures.”

  “I am too,” Cari said. “I got a few activities for you to do.”

  “Like what?” I asked.

  “You’re going to fly kites,” Cari said.

  “Fly kites?” I asked. I turned to Trinity. “When have we ever done that?”

  She gave me a dark look that said, “Not now.”

  “We’ll take a few pictures of just you two,” she said. “Stand close together and pose for me.”

  This made more sense. I grabbed Trinity then pressed my mouth to hers. I started making out with her, giving her my tongue.

  Trinity pushed me off. “What are you doing?”

  “Kissing you,” I said. “What else should I be doing?” I turned to the photographer. “We’re supposed to make out, right?”

  She had a strained smile on her face. “Actually, let’s keep this PG.”

  Trinity rolled her eyes. “Just be romantic with me.”

  “Well, I usually make out with you when I’m being romantic,” I argued.

  Cari tried not to laugh. “Let’s do the kites first.” She handed them to us and we undid the spools. “Now run up and down the beach and I’ll take a few shots.”

  Trinity had her pink kite in the air and it soared high. I pulled my blue one along.<
br />
  “You want to race?” I asked.

  “Let’s do it.”

  We both sprinted up the beach with our kites behind us. Our feet splashed in the water and got our clothes damp. Trinity laughed while she pulled hers along. We ran back and forth while the photographer got pictures of us. I didn’t even notice she was there most of the time.

  After we finished that activity Cari laid a blanket down and asked us to sit side-by-side.

  I turned to Trinity then rubbed my nose against hers. “I’m a better kite-flyer than you.”

  “No, you’re just a faster runner.”

  “I’m practically Kenyan, baby.” I moved my lips to her neck and gave her a gentle kiss.

  “You guys are natural,” she said as she kept taking pictures.

  “We’re taking pictures now?” I asked in surprise.

  “What did you think she was doing?” Trinity said sarcastically.

  I pushed her down on the blanket then pinned her arms back. Then I leaned over her. “We’re supposed to act like we’re in love right now so hold back your brattiness.”

  Cari chuckled. “I think it’s still coming off that way.”

  Trinity rolled me to my back then climbed on top of me. “I’ll be as bratty as I want.” Her hair fell over one shoulder and tickled the side of my face.

  Naturally, my hand fisted her hair and kept it out of her face. Then I yanked her face down to mine and gave her a kiss. I did my best to keep it PG. Trinity was the one who struggled with it, actually.

  Cari kept snapping pictures.

  Trinity pulled away with slightly reddened cheeks.

  “Now look who needs to keep it in her pants,” I said.

  “Now go play by the water,” Cari said.

  “Play how?” I asked.

  “Just be natural,” she said.

  Uh, okay.

  Trinity and I walked across the sand, hand-in-hand. Then I picked her up and threw her over my shoulder.

  She screamed in surprise then smacked my ass as I carried her.

  When I got her to the water’s edge, I put her down. “Does that count as playing?”

  “Now my hair is all messed up,” she said as she tried to fix it.

  I ran my fingers through it and tried to arrange it. But it was too windy and it wouldn’t stay in place. “Sorry, baby. It looks like your hair doesn’t stand a chance.” I pulled her to my chest and hugged her.

  “Taking pictures aren’t so bad, right?”

  Cari moved to the side of us and kept snapping pictures.

  “No, I guess not.” I turned back to her then squeezed her against me. I tried to keep my hands off her ass because that would be a bad picture. It was hard to monitor myself. I didn’t realize how inappropriate I was with her all the time.

  I grabbed her left hand and felt her engagement ring. Then I kissed her knuckles.

  Cari came closer and kept taking pictures of us.

  “You know what I could go for right now?” I asked.

  “What?”

  “Some of that cake from the bridal shower.”

  “Yeah…that was good,” she said.

  I grabbed her hand and spun her around like I was dancing with her.

  “What about hot wings?”

  “Oh yeah,” I said. “I could go for that too.”

  “And peanut butter fingers,” she said with a laugh.

  “Man, that shit was good. People will be talking about the bridal shower for years.”

  “I’m sure they will be,” she said.

  “And you got so much crap. If we took it back to the store, we’d get like ten grand back.”

  “We aren’t taking any of that stuff back,” she said. “We’ll use it in our new house.”

  “If we can ever afford to buy one…”

  “We will,” she said. “Money is starting to come in from the fashion line.”

  I was still in debt from opening the shop. “At least I got myself a sugar mama.”

  “And I got myself a bad boy.”

  Cari stopped then looked into the back of her camera. “Well, I got several hundred pictures and most of them are awesome. You guys are great picture takers. You both could be models if you wanted to pursue it.”

  “I get that a lot,” I blurted.

  Trinity shot me a glare. “Are you ever humble?”

  I shrugged. “I don’t know. Am I?”

  Cari chuckled. “You guys are cute together. You’re going to make it.”

  “Yeah?” I asked. “You can just tell?”

  “Well, I can tell when two people really love each other,” Cari said. “And it’s clear you guys do.”

  I turned to Trinity and gave her an affectionate look.

  She returned the emotion, love shining in her eyes.

  Cari took another picture. “And I think that was the best one.”

  ***

  Trinity and I stopped for hot wings before we went home.

  I already ate two-dozen just for myself. Trinity only ate three pieces and a few fries.

  “You’re the cheapest date ever,” I said.

  “Why, thank you.” She picked at her fries.

  “When do we get our pictures back?”

  “In a few days,” she said. “I can’t wait to decorate our place in picture frames.”

  “There’s not much room…”

  “So…” Her voice carried her unease, like something was on her mind.

  Oh no. I didn’t like the sound of that.

  “Are you doing okay…?” She eyed me hesitantly.

  “Doing okay?” What did she mean by that? “I’m not mad about the clothes anymore. Is that what you’re asking?”

  “No,” she said. “I meant about the wedding. It’s coming up…are you freaking out?”

  Now I understood. “Why would I be freaking out?”

  “Well, you’ve always said you never wanted to get married…and now it’s happening so fast. You can tell me, Slade. I won’t get mad.”

  “I’m not afraid to get married,” I said firmly. “It doesn’t bother me at all.”

  “It doesn’t?” she asked in surprise.

  “I wouldn’t have proposed unless I wanted to spend my life with you,” I said. “I would have married you on the spot if that’s what you wanted. We’re practically married as it is. Nothing will be different anyway. No, of course it doesn’t bother me.”

  Her eyes glowed like Christmas morning. “Oh…that makes me feel better.”

  “Baby, I’m marrying my dream girl. There’s no reason to be scared.”

  Her eyes softened when she looked at me. “I wish everyone could see this side of you.”

  “I don’t,” I said. “Because it’s something special I only do for you.”

  ***

  The new shop opened and everything was in full swing. We got a lot of traffic since tourists were everywhere. Dad put up flyers everywhere and spread the word about his second shop. Since he was affiliated with it, we got a lot of new clients. The guys I hired already had experience so they made opening day go smoothly.

  I didn’t get to ink because I was running the register and everything else. That bummed me out. I wanted to be in charge but I also wanted to do the fun stuff. Inking was something I could do for hours at a time. It was like doodling but on someone’s skin.

  Dad came inside before lunchtime. “How are you holding up?”

  “Fine,” I said from behind the counter. “Everything is pretty smooth. But we’re busier than I was expecting.”

  “That’s never a bad thing.” He leaned over the table with his elbows on the surface. “Do you need any help?”

  “No, I’m good,” I said. “But thanks.”

  “You like your new office?” he asked.

  It was the room above the shop. It was big enough to be an apartment. It was convenient because it had a bed, which I napped in on really slow days. But it was also great for when Trinity stopped by—and I fucked her hard. “It’s sick.
”

  He chuckled. “I thought you might like it.”

  “So, my bachelor party is next weekend,” I said. “Mom will let you out of the house?”

  “You want me to go?” he asked in surprise.

  “Yeah, you’re one of my groomsmen, remember?” I knew he was older but how forgetful was he?

  “I just assumed you only wanted your friends there—and not your old man.”

  “But you’re my friend.” Why wouldn’t I want him there?

  “You seriously want me to go?” he asked.

  “Yeah, you’re like my best friend besides Cayson—don’t tell him I said that. You have to be there, Dad. Unless you don’t want to…”

  “No, of course I do,” he said. “You flatter me.”

  “So, Mom will let you go?”

  “She doesn’t ‘let’ me do anything. I can do whatever I want, Slade.”

  I chuckled. “What’s that like?”

  “Trinity is the controlling type?”

  “No. She just wants me to tell her what I’m doing.”

  “That’s not the same thing,” he said. “I would never take off to Vegas without telling her where I was going. But I wouldn’t ask her permission. Do you see the difference?”

  I shrugged. “Not really.”

  He laughed. “Married life will be one heck of an experience for you.”

  I wasn’t worried about it. “Trinity and I will figure it out. We always do.”

  He nodded. “That’s a good attitude to have. You’ve grown a lot.”

  “Living with my fiancé has forced me to.”

  A customer came inside, and judging the sleeves of tattoos and her tongue piercing this wasn’t her first rodeo. She wore a low-cut top that showed her cleavage, and her pierced bellybutton was on display. Her pants were so low her ass was practically hanging out. She was thin and curvy, the type of girl I would invite upstairs if I were a single. But surprisingly, she didn’t do anything for me. “Hey, what are you in for?” I asked bluntly.

  “I need some work done to my back,” she said, chewing a piece of gum.

  “It better not be YOLO.” I was dead serious. “Because that shit is stupid.”