Harmless(106)

"Daniel-"

"No." Roan's father got to his feet. "I'm putting my foot down this time. I'm tired of fighting for no reason."

Roan was beyond shocked by his father's words. He'd never thought his dad had an issue with him being gay. At least not when he'd been growing up. Daniel had never shown any animosity toward him either.

But Lydia …

"Good night, Liam," Daniel said, walking right up to Seg and Liam, hooking Liam's hand with his finger and giving it a little shake. He turned toward Roan. "I'd like to spend some time with him. When you're ready for that to happen."

Roan nodded. "Of course, Dad."

Of course.



ON THE DRIVE BACK TO Roan's, Seg had managed to remain quiet. Not because he didn't have anything to say but because he could feel the relief coursing through Roan.

He'd known that Roan's father had put some undue stress on Roan. It had been evident simply by looking at the guy. And tonight …

Truth was, Seg was shocked as shit when Daniel finally stood up and stated how he really felt. Of course, Lydia wasn't at all happy about that, but shit happened. We don't always get what we want.

"Please tell me you're staying the night," Roan said when they pulled into the driveway.

"I don't want to be anywhere else," he admitted.

Roan smiled. "Good. That's  …  good."

Clearly Roan was at a loss for words.

To help him out, Seg got Liam out of the truck, carried him into the house, then proceeded to get him ready for bed. All on his own.

Oh, sure, Roan had been watching from the sidelines, but Seg suspected that was more because he had nothing else to do.

Half an hour and one finished bottle later, Liam was down for the night, and Seg found Roan standing in the kitchen, staring out the back window. When Seg approached, Roan turned to face him.

"I love you," Roan stated, his tone chock full of emotion.

The words weren't exactly a surprise; however, he'd expected Roan to start with something else. This would work though.

"I love you, too."

"I didn't know how tonight would go when I asked you to go with me. The only thing I knew was that I would be able to handle it better simply by having you there. In fact, I feel that way now. I don't know what the next road bump is gonna be, but I know that I'll handle it better because you're in my life."

Seg didn't say a word. He didn't move. Hardly breathed.

"We've had a wild ride so far," Roan continued. "But it's a ride I want to continue. With you." Roan took a step closer, but they were still separated by the kitchen island. "I was serious when I said I wanted to spend every night with you. Starting tonight, Seg."




 

 

Seg wasn't sure his lungs were working at this point.

Roan sidestepped the island, coming to stop directly in front of Seg.

If he hadn't been watching closely, Seg wouldn't have noticed when Roan reached into his pocket.

"And I want you to marry me."

Okay, now he knew for a fact his lungs weren't working.

Roan went to one knee in front of him.

Seg grinned. "I never took you for the traditional type."

Roan's eyes were serious. "Marry me, Colton. Marry me and spend every night for the rest of our lives with me." Roan grinned. "You know, except for the nights you're on the road."

It was Seg's turn to speak, so he reached for Roan's hand and helped him to his feet.

"I thought for sure I'd be the one to propose to you." Seg dug into his own pocket, pulling out a ring. He grinned, then reached for Roan's hand. "Marry me, Roan. I want you to be my husband and Liam to be my son. I want you both to take my name." Seg smiled.

Roan's eyebrows rose. "I've never considered taking someone else's name."

"Are you against it? We could do the hyphenated thing. Maybe they'll call me  …  Segory." Seg frowned. "Aw, damn. That's worse than Seggy. Please don't make me hyphenate my name."

Roan closed the distance between them, placing his ring in Seg's hand. "You don't have to hyphenate your name."

"No?"

"No. Liam and I would be honored to take your name."

Unable to stop himself, Seg pulled Roan into him, pressing their lips together and showing this man exactly how much he loved him.

Needless to say, he wasn't about to stop with just a kiss.

Or just one night.





Epilogue

Wednesday, April 12th

"ARE YOU NERVOUS?" GANNON ASKED Seg as they stood on the back porch of the house Roan and Seg had just moved into.

The spacious two-story was in a quiet, gated community that offered them a little more privacy than either of their houses before had. With four bedrooms, they had plenty of room to expand and had a room always ready for when Seg's mother came to visit.