Into the Fading Twilight (Starlight Grove, #2) (124)

Waylon pulled me into a hug. “Love you. So damn proud of the man you are.”

My throat constricted. But Skylar saved us. “This is cute and all, but you still gotta put a dollar in the swear jar, Grampa Way Way.”





CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE


Nova




IHAVE NEVER BEEN HAPPIER TO BE HOME.” I TOOK KOL’S hands as he helped me out of the hatchback. He’d driven my car so it would be easier for me to get in and out of it. He was always thinking of everything.

A soft smile tugged at Kol’s lips, even as he watched my every movement for any signs of pain. “I like hearing you say that. Home.” The curve of his mouth faltered for a minute. “You’re sure it’ll still feel that way after everything?”

I squeezed his fingers with as much strength as I could manage. “This will always be my safe place. It’s where I started to live again. And where I was brave enough to love.”

“God, I love you.”

“I know.” I took a step, testing the movement to see if it caused any pain. Even with two weeks of recovery, I was still tender. But I knew being here, surrounded by the people I loved the most, I’d heal faster.

“Are you sure you’re okay with me taking over your office?” I asked.

Kol pinned me with a stern look. “Don’t ask stupid questions.”

“Boss, careful. Skylar will ground you if she hears you call me stupid.”

Those hazel eyes flashed. “I’d never call you stupid. You’re one of the smartest people I know. But I am gonna call that fuckin’ question stupid. Because I’ve been making a place for you since the moment we met. Why do you think I made the space above my garage into an apartment? We didn’t need that.”

A soft smile curved my mouth. “I wondered, but I wasn’t sure.”

Kol shrugged as if it were nothing. “I could see you felt hemmed in and were looking for a way out. I wanted to give you a place to go.” One side of his mouth kicked up. “And it got you closer, didn’t it?”

My eyes started misting. “Kol …”

“Don’t you dare cry, Phoenix. Our whole family’s in there, and if they see you teary, one of my brothers is going to punch me for sure.”

That startled a soft laugh out of me, and I found it didn’t hurt as much as it had even a day ago. “I like you calling them that. Ours.”

Kol’s knuckles grazed across my cheek. “They are that. Ours. In every way that matters.”

“I love you.”

“Love you with everything I have.” He bent and brushed his lips featherlight across mine.

“Excuse me,” Skylar called. “I like the kissing, but we’re all waiting here.”

I chuckled against Kol’s mouth. “I think we’re in trouble.”

“She scares me a little, so we should probably go inside,” Kol whispered.

“Good idea.”

He took my arm, walking with me. We were old hat at this, doing loops around my hospital floor on the regular. But the reward at the end of this trek was so much sweeter.

Skylar beamed up at me the moment we stepped through the door. “I’m glad you’re home. It wasn’t as good when you weren’t here.”

My eyes burned. “I love you, Sky. And I missed being here with you.”

Her hazel eyes glistened. “You do?”

I nodded. “With my whole heart.”

“I love you with my whole heart, too,” Sky sniffed. “Is it still no hugs?”

Kol opened his mouth, I was sure to say yes, but I shook my head. “I think it’s the perfect time for a gentle hug.”

Skylar slowly walked toward me and looped her arms around me in the most careful embrace. I hugged her back with all I could muster.

“Best hug ever,” I whispered.

“Me, too.”

“Fuck, I’m crying,” a new voice said from the doorway.

I grinned at Maverick as he wiped under his eyes.

Dex clapped him on the shoulder and squeezed. “The Notebook get you again?”

Mav scowled at him. “I shared that in confidence. It’s not nice to use it as a weapon.”

“Don’t worry,” I assured him. “The Notebook makes me sob like a baby.”

“Thank you,” Maverick huffed.

Dex smiled at me. “Welcome home, Nova.”

“You have no idea how happy I am to be here.”

He reached out and gave my arm a squeeze. “Thanks for fighting. Brae and Kol would’ve been a wreck without you.”

I found myself fighting back tears again but battled through to smile. “Thanks for loving my sister so well. And for being the best brother to Kol.”

“Okay, now I’m really crying,” Mav said, throwing up his hands.

Kol took my arm again. “Let’s get you inside before Mav drowns you.”

“Rude,” Maverick shot back, but he made way for me.

“Bed or couch?” Kol asked.

“Definitely couch. I’ve been stuck in a bed for weeks.”

Kol led me toward the living room and more familiar faces. Waylon was arranging some snacks and a wrapped box on the coffee table, while Brae had her arm curved around the shoulders of a subdued-looking Owen. I could make out Wylder just outside as he stood there with Orion.