by Toni Aleo
Thea gasped as everyone turned to where Jace, Avery, and Ashlyn were standing by the table. Avery was beet red as she held up a finger to Ashlyn. “I told you to wait.”
Ashlyn shrugged. “So…now?”
“Jesus,” Jace said, shaking his head. “Yes, now.”
“Yay! My mommy is having a baby!”
Everyone laughed as Thea cried out and ran to Avery. It didn’t take long before everyone was hugging them and congratulating them. Matty looked just as excited as he did when they had found out what felt like so long ago. Watching as Matty interacted with his family, Wells couldn’t help but hope that, for Matty’s sake, Laurence and Benedict would come around. He didn’t want him to have to wait like Wells had had to. He wanted Matty to have it all. But even if he never got it, he’d still always have Wells.
He could promise that over and over again.
One thing was for sure, he loved that man. He loved everything about him, and he adored that Matty loved everything about Wells. Their road hadn’t been easy—lots of ups, downs, and around—but it was their road, and they drove it together. And at the end, Matty was his, and he was Matty’s. Shit, he was sounding like Wren.
When Matty turned from hugging Avery tightly, he locked eyes with Wells, and he grinned. A full one that took up every bit of his gorgeous face. His eyes were sparkling as a grin pulled at Wells’s lips before Matty headed toward him, holding out his hand. Matty’s eyes were full of light, and Wells swore they held everything he could ever hope for.
A great, happy life with the man he loved.
“You can never hear anything better than news of a new life coming into the world,” Matty started, his eyes trained on Wells, and for a second, Wells thought Matty was talking to him. But when Wells went to agree, Matty continued on, “But before we came inside to see everyone, I asked Wells to marry me. And since we are all sharing news, he said yes.”
Well, Wells wasn’t expecting that. Glancing over to where everyone was gawking at them, some for the good, and some for the not so good, Wells smiled. “I did.”
Thea cried out, rushing to them with Avery on her heels as they congratulated and gushed over both of them. Next was Jace who very hesitantly wished them the best, still not able to fully forgive Matty on Avery’s behalf, before Seth hugged them both. When Matty looked up, Wells knew he was hoping his father and Laurence would be next, but both of them were standing beside the table. Wells could see the disappointment on Matty’s face, so he squeezed his hand. “I didn’t know we were telling people yet.”
Matty scoffed. “You’re lucky I didn’t do a press conference.”
Wells rolled his eyes. “Look at you, all about the dramatics now.”
Matty shrugged. “Dramatics maybe, but I think of it as growing some balls.”
Wells grinned. “You have some, my love. I know,” he added with a wink.
Matty laughed. “I mean that nothing scares me anymore. Almost losing you for the second time was terrifying, so I’m pretty sure nothing else will ever scare me like that again.”
Wells’s heart swelled as he pulled Matty closer, kissing his temple. But when Benedict cleared his throat, Wells slowly pulled away, looking over at him. “I wish you both the best,” he said.
Matty slowly nodded. “Thanks, Dad.”
“But I won’t be there.”
“Benedict!”
“Dad!” Avery complained, along with Seth.
“That’s shitty.”
“I won’t either,” Laurence added, and Seth rolled his eyes.
“God, get your head out of Dad’s ass and think for yourself!”
“I am. This isn’t okay!”
“It’s fine,” Matty added, holding Wells’s hand. “Because the people who love us will be there, and if you two don’t want to, that’s fine. I understand, but I do know who will be beside me, and that’s all that matters.”
When Matty glanced over at him, Wells quirked his lips up at the side. “That’s me, right?”
“Yeah, you asshole.”
“Come here,” Wells said, pulling Matty to him. Holding Matty’s gaze, Wells slowly shook his head. “Wow.”
“Wow?”
“I didn’t think I could ever love you more, but you keep proving me wrong.”
Matty took Wells’s hands in his. “And just think, this is only the beginning.”
“And we’re nowhere near the end.”
Matty nodded as he closed the distance between them, their lips meeting in a heated and oh so perfect embrace.
And as he kissed him, in front of the audience of Matty’s family, Wells knew he had a really exciting life to look forward to. One with love, family, and above all, he’d have the guy who risked it all for him.
His everything.
Matty.
The End.
Acknowledgments
Hello all!
Here we are again. I almost can’t believe that it’s time for another release, and that it is this book. A little history: sometime in the spring, I can’t remember when, I went to a signing in Boston. Lisa and I had been talking about Wells because I think Delayed Call had just come out—like I said, I don’t remember when, but I know this happened. LOL! Anyway, we were talking, and Lisa was like, I know people are gonna want Wells’s book. I was like, nah, that’s not really my thing, I don’t know anything about M/M, and blah, blah, blah. Well, she was like, I know people are gonna want it. I just brushed it off and went on my way.
So that night we get to the bar, and I’m drinking, having a good time with my buddies, Chelle Bliss and Aly Martinez and, of course, Lisa, and Lisa told Aly about my M/M. She told me to talk to Aly about it. So I did. After many drinks and lots of laughter, Aly looked me in the face and told me I could do it. So I said, what the hell. Let’s do it.
And here we are. I want to first say, that no matter what, I’m proud of myself. I came out of my comfort zone and did it my way. I stayed true to my craft, to myself, and I think I did Wells and Matty’s story to the fullest I could ever do. I love this book. I didn’t think I would, and boy, am I nervous to see what the world thinks, but I love it.
So, thank you. Thank you for taking the chance on me, thank you for believing in me, and thank you for continuing to support me.
To my loving and amazing family and friends, thank you. I love you.
And to you, I love you, and thank you.
Love,
Toni
Also by Toni Aleo
Assassins Series
Taking Shots
Trying to Score
Empty Net
Falling for the Backup
Blue Lines
Breaking Away
Laces and Lace
A Very Merry Hockey Holiday
Overtime
Rushing the Goal
Face-off at the Altar
Delayed Call
Twenty-Two
In the Crease
Bellevue Bullies Series
Boarded by Love
Clipped by Love
Hooked by Love
Taking Risks
Whiskey Prince
Becoming the Whiskey Princess
The Works Series
(Paranormal)
Pieces
Broken Pieces
Pieced Together (Coming Soon)
Standalones
Let it be Me
Two-Man Advantage
Misadventures
Misadventures with a Rookie
My name is Toni Aleo, and I’m a #PredHead, #sherrio, #potterhead, and part of the #familybusiness!
I am also a wife to my amazing husband, mother of a gamer and a gymnast, and also a fur momma to Gaston el Papillion.
While my beautiful and amazing Shea Weber has been traded from my Predators, I’m still a huge fan. But when I’m not cheering for him, I’m hollering for the whole Nashville Predators since I’ll never give my heart to one player again.
When I’m not in the gym getting swol
e, I’m usually writing, trying to make my dreams a reality, or being a taxi for my kids.
I’m obsessed with Harry Potter, Supernatural, Disney, and anything that sparkles! I’m pretty sure I was Belle in a past life, and if I could be on any show, it would be Supernatural so I could hunt with Sam and Dean.
Also, I did mention I love hockey, right?
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