Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 75871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
“Who the fuck was Colby Covington? I wasn’t the guy who just wanted this farm and a family. I wasn’t the guy who knew much of anything other than the life laid out for me. I didn’t feel the need to get married. I don’t want kids. Hell, I wasn’t even the guy who thought I was capable of romantically loving someone until…”
He looked up, gaze snagging on Vince, who was staring at him with so much intensity, Colby felt like he could burn alive with it…and that he would want that. That he needed it. “Until Vince. I’m in love with him…in love with you,” he added for Vince’s benefit. “And I’ve been so fucking scared to say it, scared to let myself believe I could feel it because something about me still feels like I’m broken inside.” And that was probably something Colby needed to talk to a therapist about. “I want to be with Vince, and I don’t want kids. I want to brew beer, try my hand at starting my own brewing company. And I want to travel with you, Vince. I’m so fucking scared to believe I can have those things, that I won’t fuck it up, that you won’t realize you want more than Briar County and that’s all I’ll ever be.”
Colby sighed, shrugged his shoulders. “I’m not even sure if you feel the same. I know you have your own hesitations, but I want to do more than see how things go. I want to be with you…because I love you. You’re my first crush, my last crush, my always crush, I reckon, and even if our idea of happiness is different from everyone else’s, I hope you want this with me too. I—”
“Shut up,” Vince said, making Colby’s heart race, until he smiled, which immediately made it settle down. “I want to taste every batch of beer you make, want to travel with you, garden with you, laugh with you.” He walked over and grabbed Colby’s face in his hands. “I’m so fucking in love with you too, and I know it will be different with you. I trust you, trust us. You’re worth the risk.”
Vince’s mouth crushed down on his, and he melted into the kiss, melted into Vince, knowing that whatever happened, the two of them would figure it all out together.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Vince
Vince’s heart was beating faster than maybe it had in his whole life. Things had already fallen into place for him, each block, each puzzle piece fitting together to show him exactly what he wanted, but this moment, hearing Colby say how he felt about him, right there in front of his whole family, cemented that.
Of course, he hated the fear Colby had felt, all those negative feelings building up until Colby exploded, but he thought they would all be better for it. What mattered most for him was Colby.
Vince pressed his forehead against Colby’s. He knew they had a room full of people around them, but somehow it was only the two of them.
“You really want this? Want me? Even though I’m such a mess?” Colby asked.
“Baby, I don’t think you know what a mess is. You have some things to sort out, but all of us do. We’ll get it done together.”
Colby nodded, kissed him again, then pulled back. They had more to discuss, but Vince knew this wasn’t the time.
He took Colby’s hand, offering support to his boyfriend, his partner, the man he loved. He could see the trepidation in Colby’s family but didn’t doubt it came from love, and maybe some guilt that they’d played into Colby’s insecurities. When you came from a family that loved this big, it made sense he would feel lost when he thought he couldn’t experience those same things.
“Son.” Charles used his crutches to limp over to him, Colby’s mom by his side. “We love you, no matter what. We’re sorry we made you feel like you don’t have a choice in your own life, if we ever made you feel like you can’t come to us. I might not be real good with words, but the most important thing in my life will always be my family—whoever they love or don’t love, whatever they want or don’t want.”
Colby let go of Vince’s hand. “Thank you.” He wrapped his father in his arms, the two of them hugging. Vince took a step back to give them space. He wanted them to be able to sort through their feelings, but also wanted Colby to know he was there for him if Colby needed him.
When they pulled back, Colby’s mom added, “I knew it.”
Colby chuckled. “Yeah, you did. Before me, even.” He signaled Vince closer. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you both how I was feeling. I just didn’t want to let you down.”