CJ stepped closer and took his hand. “For a long time, I’ve been nothing but the job. I need to be more than that. When I’m with you, I am. And I like that person. You asked why I never found the One. It was because it’s you, Gavin. It’s been you all along. You were right. You’ve done nothing wrong. I got scared, and I’m sorry. I’ve wanted to say this to you every day since, but I didn’t know how.”

Gavin felt a rush of something inside him, a mix of relief and hope. “Seems you said it just fine.”

“I love that you’re dedicated to being the best you that you can be. I’m in awe of that.”

“That’s not all I’m dedicated to,” Gavin said in a lighter, more playful tone.

CJ smiled. “The last time you were that dedicated was in my shower a few weeks back, and you bruised your knees.”

“My knees are as tough as the rest of me,” Gavin assured him. “And while I love where you’re going with this, it’s not what I meant.” He drew in a shaky breath. “I’m dedicated to you,” he said. “You once accused me of simply surviving and not really living, and you were right. When I came to Wildstone, I didn’t think I was good enough for the people I loved. That in fact, I hurt them just by being who I was. My parents. Arik. My sisters. You,” he said. “It made me keep myself emotionally distanced. And it’s an easy step from there to not feel connected enough to care. But there’s something about you that blasts away my walls and burrows in. I love you, CJ, I always have. It just took me longer than most to believe in myself enough for this. For us.” He tugged CJ in, intending to lay a long, soul-searching kiss on him that would hopefully lead to the rest of their lives, but CJ put a hand to his chest to stop him.

Gavin’s heart tripped. “What?”

“I brought food.”

Gavin nearly collapsed in relief. “The way to my heart.”

“It’s the makings for tacos.”

Gavin felt the last little pieces of himself fall into place. “A love story in five words.”

Chapter 27

“Well, that escalated quickly.”

A week after he’d left, Cam pulled back into his dad’s driveway starving, exhausted, and on edge. In the old days, that had meant he’d been looking for a fight or sex—he hadn’t been particularly picky. But with the dubious honor of getting older, he needed more than either of those things. He should’ve stayed away a few extra days to reacclimate, but he’d wanted to get back to Wildstone.

To Piper.