Fuck, he wanted that, too. Wanted it more than he’d ever wanted anything else.

“I guess it’s good that I’m crazy, fucking in love with you, too. I watched other people walk in and out of my life and never felt enough to fight for them. I’ve never loved them enough. I’d take on anything for you.”

Wes stepped closer and pressed his mouth to Braden’s.

“I told you that you liked me,” Braden whispered. Wes smiled against Braden’s lips as he kissed him again.

“Not like. Love you. You’re crazy, and don’t know when to keep your mouth shut, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Still, are you sure you want to stay? I know you—”

“I don’t want to go. I never did. I just needed you to give me a reason to stay.”

“You have one now,” Wes told him.

Braden grinned and nodded at the painting. In one corner it has “For Braden,” because Wes had used the canvas Braden made out to himself.

“You signed it ‘Wesley,’ not Wes.”

“That’s because I want to be someone different for you, different than I am with anyone else. I’m only Wesley with you.”

Braden nodded, emotion in his eyes Wes had never seen. “You are. But you’re still painting me another picture.”

He laughed the way only Braden could make him. “I will. I’ll paint you a thousand of them if it makes you stay.”

“The only thing I need to make me want to stay is you....is our family. Come on. Let’s go get Jess.”

Wes had lost a lot in his life—parents, his sister, dreams—but what he often didn’t do was take the time to look at the things he had. Lydia, who would do anything for him. Jessie, who he loved more than anyone in this world. And Braden, the man who stole his heart. The man he gladly gave it to. The man who chose him the way Wes would always choose Braden, no matter how hard it was. He had everything he needed, and he couldn’t wait to start living—not just getting by, but living their life together.

The End