Page 105 of The Beekeeper

“Denied,” I repeated hollowly. After everything she’d put me through, all the doubt she’d cast…

“She’ll still have thirty days to appeal, but I doubt she will. There’s nothing to appeal on. I’ll get the written decision on Monday, but the clerk wanted to let us know before the weekend,” he continued and I must’ve still looked confused because he added, “For Father’s Day.”

For Father’s Day. And my daughter was going to stay mine.

For a second, I couldn’t breathe, and then my brother’s arms were around me, holding me up. I hugged him back so damn tight and the only thing I could think was that all this time, he’d been holding me afloat when it felt like I had no legs to stand on, buoying me with his confidence and determination, just like he always had. Like I’d always known he would.

And it was because of Harper that I’d been reminded of that.

“Thank you,” I croaked, feeling my shoulders shake as I started to cry. We stood like that for a few minutes until the sudden rush of overwhelming relief and happiness subsided, and I felt my breaths start to normalize. “Thank you,” I repeated and slowly drew back from his embrace, wiping my face with the backs of my hands.

“No need to thank me. That’s what family is for,” Wade said, patting me gently on the shoulder. “I’m just happy to see you happy.”

A smile broke over my face and I laughed. “I am now.”

“Just now?” he asked, forcing me to think for a second.

“What do you mean?”

Wade shrugged. “You’ve just seemed more settled lately, even with everything that has been going on. Something changed when you moved in with Harper⁠—”

“Don’t,” I stopped him. I couldn’t…I couldn’t think about that—about her now. I had Paisley, and that was what mattered.

“Blaze.” Wade crossed his arms. “I don’t want to…be involved, but I do have to say something.”

My brows pulled together. “What are you talking about?”

“The photos, Blaze. What they’re writing about you and Harper⁠—”

I scoffed. “You know almost better than anyone how they’ll polish a turd. Plus, if you saw the photos, then you saw there was nothing there. They’re just making shit up.” I bit into my tongue, realizing too late that I was protesting just a little too hard.

“So, there’s nothing going on between you and Harper?” he asked in that probing lawyer-voice of his that irritated me only because it was so accurate. Before I could answer, he changed his mind. “You know what, I don’t need to know. It’s your life. You’re both adults.”

“But?” I heard it even though it wasn’t said. “Let me guess. You want to know if I’ve thought this through? If this is really what I want or if I’m just falling into old habits⁠—”

“No,” he interrupted, looking affronted at how quickly I’d imagined he’d only intended to scold me. “I want to…remind you that Harper Hamilton would walk through actual fucking fire for those she cares about. Don’t ask her to do it for nothing.”

I closed my eyes and drew a deep, unsteady breath, thinking only of Harper sitting with me on the floor of her bedroom, revealing one of her deepest truths—one that could’ve, would’ve spared her so much shit, especially from me, if she would’ve shared what started her crush on me sooner. But she didn’t. She didn’t share it when it would’ve helped her, she only shared it when she knew it would help me.

Just like everything else she’d done.

Letting me and Pais move into her home. Giving up her bedroom. Teaching my daughter about bees and honey. Sheltering us into her world. Giving every last inch of herself to me. Expecting nothing in return.

She’d already walked through fire, I was ready to tell him, but was it for nothing? Or could it be for something?

It couldn’t. We had a contract. An expiration date.

“I know,” I said as I breathed out, my chest deflating right down to my bones. “So, what happens now? With the lawsuit?”

After a pause, my brother resumed our conversation. “Her office is going to email over the final paperwork on Monday.”

We said nothing for a few seconds and then I exhaled deeply, the breath carrying the word “fuck” with it.

“You okay?”

“Yeah.” My head swayed. “I just…can’t believe it’s finally over.”

“Believe it.” Wade slung his arm around my shoulder. “Now stop wasting your breath on me and go celebrate with Paisley.”