“The way they talk about their men and children. It’s very… I’ve never been around a functional family. I didn’t grow up in one. You—and the Blue Angels—are smashing everything I thought I knew about what families are supposed to look like.”
He dropped his beanbag and then cradled my cheeks in his hands. His eyes bored into mine, intense, unwavering. “Life is worth living. Grabbing it by the balls and owning it is all there is. Living the way we do…we all know we could die at any moment. So, when we find something good to hold onto, we don’t let it go.” He pressed his forehead to mine. “I know this is a lot, and I know it’s fast. But, darlin’, I’ve never met anyone who needs a family more than you. And if you let us, we can be your family.
“Your dad left you,” he said quietly. “That fuckery is buried deep inside you. I get it, Doc. You’re afraid I’m gonna bail.” He leaned forward. “I’m gonna tell you a secret. I’m not going anywhere, Linden. You want to push me away, go ahead. Try. I’ll still be here when you’re done pushing.”
I swallowed. “Why? Why would you want to put up with me and all my crap?”
He studied me for a long quiet moment. “Because, Linden Ward, you’re worth it.”
You’re worth it.
His words swelled through the broken part of my psyche like ripples from a pebble in a pond.
I didn’t know what to say to him because I didn’t know what to say to myself. Normally, I would find a quiet place so I could sift through my thoughts, but I was at a party.
And I had no desire to leave.
We stared at each other, lost in the moment. I was unaware of everything around me, except for this man and in his own words, a declaration.
“Food’s ready!” Zip yelled from the grill, shattering the intensity of the moment.
I dropped the bean bag. Boxer took my hand and led me back toward the patio where Zip was sliding cooked hamburger patties onto plates. Children buzzed around Darcy. They were hungry and very vocal about it. Once the kids were placated with food, the adults began to fix their own plates.
“Babe,” Colt called to Mia. “What do you want?”
“One hot dog and one hamburger with the works,” she shouted back.
I grinned at Colt’s caring concern for his pregnant wife.
Boxer stayed close, one step behind me as I made myself a plate of food. I located my glass of wine and then went to join Mia and Colt. Boxer took a seat on the u-shaped couch right next to me.
Conversation was easy and flowed just like the wine and beer. I marveled at the way everyone interacted with one another. They were fascinating to observe. It was more than just camaraderie. It went deeper. Maybe it was because they weren’t of the same blood, but a patched together unit, a chosen clan.
I saw Silas and Reap tease and joke with one another, and then Reap ruffled Silas’s hair. It was at that moment that I realized this wasn’t just a single family, but a village. If Darcy and Gray were occupied and unable to tend to the needs of their children, someone else stepped in. It went like this as long as I watched.
And if you let us, we can be your family.
Boxer’s words resonated like a gong inside me.
The Blue Angels would embrace me as their own.
No reservations, no hesitation, because Boxer had chosen me.
“I’ve got to pee,” Mia announced.
“Thanks for that,” Zip stated with a grin, playing with the label on his beer bottle.
Colt helped his wife stand and then Joni hopped up. “Tour of the upstairs?”
The other women nodded and rose.
“Linden?” Joni looked at me. “Do you want to see the upstairs?”
I smiled at her. “Love to.”
Boxer took my hand before I left and gave it a squeeze.
“Why don’t you guys get the fire pit ready,” Joni suggested.