Series: Fever Falls Series by Riley Hart
Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 81426 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81426 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
“That’s not true. He loves you. He respects you. You did your best, and you’re here when I can tell you’d rather be anywhere else.”
Ray chuckled. “It’s nothing personal. You have a really nice family. I just don’t know how to let people in anymore. I haven’t let myself do it in a long time, but I’m going to try and be better. Jude deserves that.”
I put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. “You deserve it too.”
His eyes snapped to mine as if he hadn’t expected it. He stared at me for a moment, then nodded. “Yeah, maybe I do. It’s time.”
My hand fell away, and we stood there in silence for a moment together before he said, “It’s good to see my boy happy.”
“You don’t mind that it’s with a man?” I asked, needing the answer.
“No. Who am I to judge anyone’s form of happiness? I haven’t had my own in far too long to want to deny anyone else theirs.”
His words did something to me. Hit me in the chest and filled me up. I’d wanted that so badly for Jude—for this to all be okay. A smile stretched across my face, and Ray’s brows pulled together the same way Jude’s did. “You’re in love with him.”
“Very much so. But I haven’t told him yet. I was a little scared, and I’m not usually scared of things.” Or if I was, I pushed through.
“Don’t be,” Ray replied. “Fear will eat you alive if you let it.”
I knew he was talking about his fears since the death of his wife. “You raised a good man, the best one I know.”
“He’s like his mother that way. There was just something about her. The moment I saw her, it was love at first sight. She was so damn beautiful, she stole my breath. I wasn’t sure I deserved her, but I knew I would love her until the day I died, knew she was it for me. Always knew she was special. All it took was one look to know she’d be in my life, and it grew from there.”
I sucked in a sharp breath. I hadn’t known from the beginning that I would love Jude, but I’d known he was special, had been inexplicably drawn to him the way it sounded Ray had been with Jude’s mom. From that first time I saw him, I’d known Jude would be in my life somehow. “Yeah…I can relate,” I replied, and Ray gave me a rich, hearty laugh. It was so damn happy and contagious that I hoped he could find it in himself to do it more often.
“Hey…what are you guys doing out here?” Jude stepped up behind us.
“Just getting to know your young man some, son. He’s a good one.” Ray nodded at Jude.
“Yeah, he is,” Jude replied.
“I’ll leave you guys to it. Maybe Janet needs help in the kitchen.”
Jude’s eyes snapped to his father’s as if he couldn’t have been more surprised.
“I’m trying, son. They’re family.” And with that, Ray walked back into the house.
“I can’t believe that. I don’t even know what to say.” Jude stood beside me.
“He loves you. I know you know that, but you’ve also doubted it. He loves you, Beautiful, and…I’m crazy fucking in love with you. Did you know that?” My chest tightened, felt heavy as though someone sat on it.
His eyes swirled like liquid steel. “I love you too.”
“Yeah?” I asked, feeling like I could breathe. “Obviously.”
Jude chuckled and rolled his eyes.
“I’m sorry if you felt like I was rushing you. That wasn’t fair of me. I just…fuck, I’ve never felt this way, and I was afraid of losing it. Afraid you would realize I wasn’t what you wanted.”
“You didn’t rush me. I wanted to be with you. Yeah, I was nervous about telling my dad, but you’re it for me, Cam. You’re what I want. That isn’t going to change. I’m not Henry.”
“I know.” I’d thought I loved Henry all those years ago, and I guess I did, but it wasn’t this kind of love. The kind you felt in your damn soul.
“And you’re not Rush. I need to make sure you know I see that. Yeah, when we started talking I was hung up on him, but it’s you I love. Even if there was no Linc, it’s you I’d want.”
My knees nearly gave out. Fuck, I’d needed to hear that more than I’d realized. “Mine.” I pressed kisses to his lips. “My boyfriend is the best.”
Jude laughed, and then we kissed. “I feel like I’m part of a family today. Like my family is growing. There’s Rush and Mama K, and now Sawyer, Carter, Janet, and Bob.”
“There’s no like about it, Beautiful. They are your family.”
He nodded, and we went back inside after that. Football was watched, and laughs were had. Then dinner was ready, and we all sat around the table together to eat.