Epilogue
MIA
September
My heart swells as laughter carries across the backyard of the mansion where Matt and Luna’s reception is being held. String lights hang over the heads of guests, casting a golden glow that perfectly complements the early evening light.
I’ve never seen Matt as happy as he was at the altar this afternoon. He even cried when Luna first appeared. It was beautiful and heartwarming. I actually cried too, and I’m not ashamed of it.
The love I have for my big brother grows with each year. I can’t imagine my life without him. He’s always been my constant, even when there were thousands of miles between us, and I’ll be forever grateful to him for his support.
Nearby, my dad dances with Bianca, the two of them in their own world. They flew in two days ago and plan to do a little sightseeing before returning to Milan. Dom and I have tickets to visit Italy in December.
In a handful of days, my life has been flipped upside down, and every change is better than the last.
All because of Dominic.
I returned for closure but got a happy ending. Who would’ve thought?
He’s across the yard, dressed in a white shirt that highlights his muscular chest, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, top button undone. He’s talking to Allan, an easy smile on his face.
God, he’s so beautiful, my heart aches.
As if he feels me watching him, he turns and immediately homes in on me. His smile grows, and with a wink, he nods, inviting me to join him.
I shake my head and point at the ground. My feet are killing me, I mouth.
When he frowns in response, I wave off his concern and scan the people nearby.
Miles and Chiara sit together, laughing. I should spend time with my best friend. We’ve seen each other so little since I returned, but I need a moment to myself to clear my head and recharge.
Eyes glued to me, Dominic weaves through the guests on the dance floor with an effortless grace. He stops in front of me, snakes his hand around my waist, and pulls me to his chest. “What were you trying to tell me?”
“My feet hurt.” I shrug. “But I’m good. It looked like you were having a good time with your dad, and I was planning to join Chia and Miles in a few anyway.”
“So I should continue having a good time with Dad while you sulk alone? I don’t think so.”
Head thrown back, I laugh. “I wasn’t sulking. I was taking a break.”
“Nah, that doesn’t work for me.” With a grunt, he braces a hand just below my ass and lifts me.
I clutch his shoulders to steady myself. “And what are we doing?”
“Taking a break.”
He carries me inside the house and doesn’t stop until he finds the bathroom. Without a word, he sets me down on the countertop, locks the door, and then returns to stand between my feet.
Ducking his head, he looks me in the eye and says, “Hey, you.”
“Hey.” I smile. “Why are we here?”
“Just wanted to have my stunning girlfriend all to myself.” He gently eases off one of my heels and then the other. “Better?”
I nod, wiggling my toes. “I usually love heels, but this is torture.”
Smirking, he massages my right foot. Instantly, my whole body sings. I rest my hands on the counter behind me and brace myself. He presses his thumbs to the arch of my foot, making me moan.
“Quiet, baby, or someone will think we’re doing something naughty in here,” he teases, still working his magic.
He releases my foot and picks up the other, repeating the motion. I’m a purring mess by the time he finally slides my heels back onto my feet and stands between my thighs.
“You didn’t have to do that.” I thread my fingers through the hair at the back of his head.
“I wanted to.”
His lips are just an inch away from mine, making it easy to close the distance and kiss him slowly. It’s not a hungry or desperate type of kiss; this one feels like home, like happiness in its purest form. It’s like love, all-consuming and powerful.
“I hate being away from you,” he murmurs against my mouth.
“We were apart for twenty minutes, tops,” I whisper.
“Entirely too long.”
Laughing, I press my forehead to his chest. “Careful, Dominic, or I might think you’re clingy.”
He pulls back, eyeing me with a needy look that makes my center throb. “I’m obsessed, not clingy.”
“Whatever lets you sleep at night.”
Without warning, he tugs on my legs, making me slide off the countertop. Then, he flips me around so we’re both facing the mirror. My cheeks are pink, my dark hair cascading down my shoulders in waves. This beautiful pastel pink dress complements my body in ways I didn’t know were possible.
I look happy and loved, and it’s all because of the man standing behind me.
“I love you,” he whispers in my ear.
“I love you too. Let’s dance.”
“Anything you want, baby.” He presses a kiss to my temple then guides me out of the bathroom and onto the dance floor.
As we sway to the music, people watch us, murmuring. Their expressions are curious rather than critical. We’re flaunting our relationship for everyone to see, and this time, we’re not going to hide.
Our love doesn’t need grand gestures. It doesn’t need to be shouted from the rooftops. It’s big and endless.
Mom comes into view, sitting at a table several feet away with a glass of wine in her hand. She watches us, her expression unreadable, and my nerves go on high alert. But when we lock eyes and she smiles, lifting her glass, relief rushes through me. I smile in return and snuggle closer to Dominic.
Mom and Allan were the first to know about us. After my first ride on his Harley, we stopped by to talk. Allan told us he was happy for us, that we had his full support. He hauled me in for the biggest, warmest hug, communicating everything else without words.
Mom needed a few minutes to collect herself. Eventually, though, she apologized. Again. Not only to me, but to Dominic as well. She promised to do better and to always support us.
I want to believe it. For the first time in my life, it seems Mom is showing me she can love me just because.
I’m willing to give her a chance.
I’m tired of holding on to the past. I’m ready for the future, with Dominic by my side.
I slide my hands up to the back of his neck and urge him closer. Our foreheads touch, and our eyes connect.
“You make me so happy,” I whisper. “It feels like heaven on Earth.”
“It feels even better.” He smiles, tightening his hold on my waist. “I’m never letting you go.”
“Good. Because I want you with me forever.”
He kisses me again, slow and gentle. Stars dance behind my eyelids, and my skin heats.
It started with a crush and continued with a secret. It caused heartbreak, but it led to love, real and passionate, the kind love songs are written about, the kind I read about in books. And despite the heartbreaks, the hardships and the tears, I wouldn’t change a thing.
Because I’m finally where I am destined to be. I’m with the person who’s always been mine.
Dominic Watson is my brother’s best friend. He’s my stepbrother. And above all, he’s the man I love.
And that will never change.
DOMINIC
Age 33
August, Six years later
The sound of my whistle cuts through the late afternoon air, signaling the end of practice.
Rob, my assistant coach, stands beside me, arms folded over his chest. It’s his first year, and he’s taking his job very seriously.
I can’t complain, though he could stand to lighten up a little.
He’ll earn the boys’ trust more easily that way.
He’s got a bad habit of yelling at them anytime they don’t meet his standards.
As head coach, it’s my responsibility to cultivate a comfortable environment for everyone while also maintaining a healthy level of competition.
He’ll either learn how to work the way I need him to or we’ll part ways after this season.
Though practice is officially over, the boys hang around, talking and laughing like the season isn’t breathing down their necks.
Chuckling, I stride out onto the field and start gathering cones.
That’s when I hear it: little footsteps pounding against pavement along with a shriek of laughter.
I have just enough time to turn around before Noah slams into me at full speed. He wraps his tiny arms around my legs, laughing like a madman.
Joining in, I toss the stack of cones I’ve collected into the crate. Then, I scoop my four-year-old into my arms and hug him tight.
“Missed you, little bandit.”
“I missed you too,” he says loudly, pressing his cheek to mine. His hair is sticking up in every direction, tickling my face. It’s the exact same shade of blond I see every morning in the mirror. “Where’s your mommy?”
“On the way.” He throws his arm out, pointing.
I turn, and there she is. Mia crosses the field, looking like a goddamn vision, with Tyler, our two-year-old, in her arms. She’s wearing a smile that fills my stomach with a lightness only she and the boys bring out in me.
She’s in a jean skirt and a pink T-shirt, her jet-black hair collected into a high ponytail, sunglasses in place. She looks happy. Alive. Stunning.
“Daddy, I wanna play,” Noah says, pushing himself away from me.
Snorting, I set him on his feet. Before Mia and Tyler reach us, Noah is already bolting toward the boys.
They all pretend to be cool and unbothered, but they turn into blobs of mush when my kids are around.
Our star quarterback, Jayce Griffin, calls my son the team’s lucky charm, because every time Mia brings him to a game, we win.
“Noah, my man!” Jayce crouches just in time to catch Noah in his arms. He stands and spins my son around.
“Be careful!” I yell, just in case.
“Always, sir,” the boys respond in unison.
A few feet away, Mia sets Tyler down and gently nudges him forward. “Go get your daddy.”
He lifts his shoulders, a giddy smile lighting up his face, and barrels toward me.
“Daddy!”
I kneel, and he crashes into me, all smiles and sticky hands. I hoist him up, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. His blond hair smells like apples.
“Hey, bud,” I say then focus on Mia. “Hey, you.”
She gives me the kind of smile that sends my pulse skyrocketing, the one that leaves me at her mercy, that makes me fall harder every time.
Brushing back the flyaways that have escaped her ponytail, she steps up beside me. I shift Ty to my other arm and wrap the free one around her shoulders, pulling her to my side.
“Practice went long today?” she asks.
“Yeah, the boys were slow, and Rob was constantly on their backs. Plus, we’re still working on their footwork.”
“You’re a great coach. Give Rob time. He’ll learn a lot from you, just like you did with Coach McDermott.”
“Here’s hoping.” I study her face. “But I also have the right teammate. She’s always by my side when I need her the most.”
“Is that so?” She lifts her sunglasses, those blue pools full of mischief.
“Mm-hmm. I built this life with you and for you, Little Mayhem. You’re the only one I ever wanted to share it with.”
“Likewise.” She plants a kiss on my cheek. “Mom said to give you her love when I picked up the boys, and she asked me to remind you about Allan’s surprise party. She could use some help.”
I nod, watching Noah running in circles around the team. “Do you think your old man can make it to the party?”
Her face lights up. “He and Bianca will be here next week.” She licks her lips. “And Mom confirmed Brody, his plus-one, and Leo will be here. Ethan and his family too. The house will be extremely full, that’s for sure.”
“With Miles and Chiara and the baby, plus Matt and Luna and the triplets? I don’t even want to think about it.”
She giggles. “It’ll be fun. Allan will be thrilled to be surrounded by so many people who love him.”
She’s right. We’re fucking lucky to have them all.
As I hold Ty in my arms, Mia snuggled into my side and Noah laughing close by, I know without a doubt that I have everything I’ve ever dreamed of, even things I once thought weren’t meant to be.
A successful business with Dad and Miles, a coaching job I love, amazing friends, supportive parents.
And, most importantly, I have a loving and caring wife and the best kids in the world.
All because of the night I saw a girl dressed as Alice and decided to approach her.
That one night changed the trajectory of my life. Though the road was rough at times, it eventually led me to what I cherish most—my wife and kids.
I am a better man because of them.
And I strive to be an even better man for them, because they deserve nothing less.