He’d been home four hours. I had ridden with the Sinclaires to the base. It was an eerie feeling being in the hanger, watching the guys unload from the jet.

Part of me wanted to run over and grab gear and toss it on the flatbed truck. I wanted one of those uniforms instead of the T-shirt I was wearing.

But holding Grayson’s hand I knew I had done the right thing. And with legal papers waiting to be signed when I got back to Texas, it was the best fucking decision I’d made. My son needed me.

I thanked God there were still men like Ryan who would fight the fight while I raised my son.

Ryan was outside on the patio. Kaitlyn and her mom were washing dishes in the kitchen. Mr. Sinclaire had pulled out some of Ryan’s toys from the attic and was racing Matchbox cars with Grayson.

This was my chance.

I poured two glasses of bourbon and walked outside, handing one to my best friend.

“Thanks, brother.” He grinned. “You know how good this tastes?”

I nodded. “Sure do. There’s no good liquor in the desert.”

We stood in silence for a minute.

“How’s Texas? The motel?”

It was a good place to start. “Actually turning around for the first time in two years. I think I’m going to be able to make it work.”

“And you seriously don’t want to sell it to one of those beach developers?”

I laughed. “Can you imagine what Pop would do?”

Ryan chuckled. “I see your point.” He sipped the bourbon. “I’m glad it’s working out for you. And I’m glad you’re here. Can’t believe you brought the kid too.”

“After this week I’m going to have full custody. Amber leaves for London at the end of the summer. I didn’t want to start full-time parenting by leaving him behind. And he loved the plane.”

“Maybe he’ll be a pilot. Please don’t let him join the Air Force.”

“Corps all the way.” I grinned, slapping him on the back.

“Good.”

The big homecoming party was tomorrow. We decided Ryan needed to know ahead of time. We couldn’t ask Kaitlyn’s parents to keep our secret.

“Listen, man. I’ve got to tell you something.”

Ryan turned to face me. His skin was unusually tan. “Don’t tell me you knocked up another girl.”

I grimaced. “No, but there’s a girl.”

He raised his eyebrows. “A serious girl? Does she know about Grayson?”

I nodded. “She does. And Amber. And the Dunes. She knows everything.”

He tilted his head. “She knows all your baggage and she’s still around?”

“I don’t think there’s anyone else like her. She’s amazing. And gorgeous. She accepts all of it.”

“Don’t tell me she gives you blow jobs every day too. Because I haven’t fucked a girl in a year.”

I wasn’t going there. “I was going to say, and she still loves me.”

He blinked. “Love? Shit. I have missed a lot. Never thought Cole Thomas would say that.”

“You might want to finish your drink to hear the rest of this.”

Ryan looked at me. “What is it?”

“The girl is Kaitlyn.”

I should have known it was coming. I should have braced myself or even ducked. But the punch was fast and furious.

Ryan slugged me, knocking me on my ass.

He stood over me. “Mother fucker. You did not just tell me you’re fucking my sister.”

I rubbed my jaw.

“I love your sister, asshole.”

“Ryan!” Kaitlyn ran outside. She leaned down to help me, but I shrugged her off and stood on my own.

“Are you ok, Cole?”

“I’m fine.” I turned to Ryan who looked like he could throw a second punch. “Man, it’s not like the past. This is different.”

He stared at Kaitlyn. “Him? You want to be with him?”

She nodded. “Please don’t be mad. And please stop punching him.”

“I can’t fucking believe this.” He spun in a circle on the patio.

I looked through the glass as the Sinclaires ushered Grayson into another room.

“I love your sister. And I know how it sounds. I’m a dick. But I love her. And this is what we want. You know I’ll take care of her. I’ll keep her safe. I swear to you. I swear on my life I won’t let her get hurt.

“We hope you can accept it eventually. Not tonight, but one day. You’ll stop hating my guts and wanting to beat the hell out of me.”

Kaitlyn looked at him. “Please, Ryan.”

He sighed. “Damn it.”

He extended his hand toward me.

I took it.

And I knew from then on we were going to be ok.