I was insanely fucking proud of her. I knew how hard it was for her to walk across that stage in front of everyone. I knew how hard it had been for her to get up every day and continue coming to school despite all the hateful looks she got. Jacob and I had done our best to shield her, but I knew we hadn’t been able to shield her from everything.
But she’dfinallydone it.
After the graduation ceremony was over and her parents took a shit ton of pictures, including some of just me and Stephen together, we went back to Bailey’s house for a barbecue.
Some ribs sounded damn good, and my rumbling stomach agreed with me.
When we got to the house, Bailey went upstairs to change out of her dress and heels. Stephen and I took the opportunity to talk to her parents about Bailey moving in with us.
“Why do I feel like there’s an impending conversation coming up?” Ian asked, leaning his hip against the kitchen counter as he drew his wife into his arms. I loved seeing the two of them together. It showed me that true love was a real thing, and I was hoping that when Bailey and I were their ages, we’d still be just as madly in love then as we were now.
I laughed quietly. “Because there kind of is,” I confessed.
“Well, spit it out,” he told me. He wasn’t one for beating around the bush, and I appreciated it. Despite the front I always put up, I got anxious sometimes, too. I liked shit being laid out in front of me so I didn’t have to keep worrying about it.
Stephen spoke up. “Seth and I bought a house together a few weeks ago.” Ian nodded. “We bought it with the idea of Bailey in mind.”
“And you want her to move in with you two now that she’s graduated high school,” he said, easily catching on to what we wanted.
“Yeah,” I agreed, hoping like hell he wouldn’t have a problem with this. “It’s on twenty-four acres of property. No neighbors, so she’ll be just as comfortable there as she is here.” Baileyneededprivacy. She always felt like people were staring at her and watching her every move. Being surrounded by trees and a vast amount of land would help curb that some.
He stayed silent for a moment, looking down at his wife. Stephen and I waited patiently to see what they had to say. Technically, she was an adult now. But I respected her parents enough to not just have her move out. I wanted their blessing.
“You both love her, don’t you?” Trent asked, making us look at him. He’d been silent as we talked to Ian. He scratched his chin, looking at Stephen. “I notice the way you are with her. It’s not so different from Seth.”
Stephen cleared his throat. “Yeah. Don’t know how the fuck it happened, but her soul calls to mine.”
Trent nodded, looking at his dad. “If she lives with them, I can finally go chase my own dreams,” he told Ian.
I frowned. I hadn’t realized he had put his entire life on hold to be here for Bailey. I thought he’d liked working at the shop in town.
Ian sighed, gratitude and sadness slipping into his gaze as he regarded his only boy. “I never asked you to, son.”
Trent shrugged. “I know, but at one point in time, I was her rock.” He swallowed thickly. “While I’m honestly kind of a bit sad that I’m no longer that person for her, I’m glad she’s got two other people that will take care of her. She deserves that.”
Ian looked back at me. “She can move with you all, butonlyif she wants to. I don’t want either of you pressuring her.”
“Of course,” I said instantly. I’d never pressure her to do anything she might not be ready to unless sheneededto for her own well-being.
The front door opened just as Bailey emerged downstairs. Jacob sauntered into the house and opened his arms to Bailey. She laughed and let him hug her. He buried his face in her hair. “Girl, we finally got out of that hell hole.”
She laughed quietly, nodding her head. “Yeah, we did.” She leaned her head back. “Thank you for being by my side.”
He ruffled her hair, making her scowl. “I’m always here for you.” He clapped me on the shoulder. “Hey, Seth.” He held his hand out to Stephen. “Jacob Thames. I’m Bailey’s best friend. And I like dick.”
Bailey face palmed all while Trent and I barked out a laugh. Jacob was a fucking work of art. Hard to believe I used to be jealous of his gay ass. I don’t know how I ever thought he had feelings for my girl. The guy was strickly-dickly.
I tugged my girl into my arms, leaning down to press my lips to hers.
“You always pick the oddball ones, baby girl?”
She shook her head. “He somehow found me.”
I laughed softly and pressed a tender kiss to the top of her head, squeezing her to me. Despite how they’d come to be friends—because of me—I was glad she had him.
While everyone else was distracted, I looked down at her.
“How do you feel about moving in with me and Stephen?” I asked her.