Ethan (Alluring Indulgence #5)(128)
Author: Nicole Edwards

He hadn’t told Beau about the now weekly one-on-one sessions with a professional and because there had been so much going on during the week – including Beau’s confrontation with his parents – he’d decided to hold off.

“What’s going on, E?” Beau asked, confusion contorting his ruggedly handsome features.

Ethan knew this was the moment of truth.

“Remember when you were at the gym this week?”

Beau laughed, but there was no humor in it. “I was at the gym every day this week.”

“Right. Well, I’ve been busy.”

Beau’s expression turned serious.

“It’s good. I swear.”

“Congrats, man!” Brendon interrupted, coming up to slap Beau on the back as he stared between the two of them. Ethan forced a smile, hoping his brother would move on so he could continue his conversation. Thankfully, it didn’t take long for him to move along.

“You told them all?” Beau repeated the same question, although this time he sounded even more disbelieving than before, if that was at all possible.

“On Tuesday, I had my first counseling session,” Ethan admitted, noticing the way Beau’s face fell. They’d had a brief discussion about counseling over dinner the day before Ethan went, and Beau had offered to go with him when and if he ever decided to go that route. “Don’t worry, there’ll be plenty more in my future, and yes, I want you right there with me. I just needed to take the first step alone.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

Ethan cocked his head to the side, studying Beau. A lot had happened on Tuesday, including Beau’s falling out with his parents. Although, he knew he probably should’ve mentioned it before now, there had been enough to worry about.

He knew he would be explaining himself in depth later, so for now, Ethan continued, “And last night, I met with my brothers.”

Beau glanced away, and Ethan looked over to see his father talking to Travis, but his gaze was on the two of them. Curtis offered a brief, reassuring head nod, so Ethan continued, “It’s not going to be an easy road right away. I know that. But I’m not willing to do it alone anymore.”

Beau looked back at him, and Ethan smiled. “This is it for me. You are it for me.”

Beau actually grinned as he tipped his beer to his lips, his eyes locked with Ethan’s. He didn’t say anything right away, and Ethan held his breath, waiting, wondering.

“So this is a celebration?”

“Yeah,” Ethan said, looking around at his brothers, his cousins and his father.

Beau leaned in closer. “Well, I’d say it’s time to start celebrating then. But I don’t intend to finish it up here. Just wait until I get you home.”

Ethan laughed, and they moved into the throng of men now laughing and joking in the back. Zane was apparently trying to convince Sawyer to side with him about whatever they had been arguing about earlier and everyone was watching in amusement.

This was what Ethan had been missing. What he thought he would never find. He had managed to bridge the canyon he had personally dug between himself and his family over the years, and he had finally managed to find true love.

He didn’t expect it to be an easy road, but he had decided he was going to be the one in charge of his destiny from here on out. It was high time he lived, not just existed.

Moving in closer, he laughed when Zane insisted the best place to have a large party was at his club, while Gage and Sawyer argued that the conference center would be a better bet.

When Travis clapped Ethan on the back, he felt as though he might actually be on the right path.

And yes, he would be the first to admit, it was certainly long overdue.

Chapter Forty One

Beau had been talking to CJ, Sawyer and Zane for the last half hour. While he tried to keep up with them, his head was still spinning from what Ethan had done.

They were there to celebrate.

Not that Beau had any clue what they were celebrating. He figured it was anything from the fact that Ethan had finally come out to his family, or the fact that the two of them were together. At first he suspected that Ethan might’ve mentioned marriage because of Zane’s reference earlier, but he found that difficult to believe.

Not to mention, he wasn’t going to believe that because Beau fully intended to propose – and he planned to beat Ethan to the punch as well. Although, based on the side of Ethan he saw tonight, he might need to kick his ass into high gear or he’d be the one saying yes.

“Woohoo!”

Beau swiveled around at the loud yell that erupted near the front door.

“Looks like a queer convention up in here, boys! What d’ya say we get the party started?”