Epilogue
EPILOGUE
DANE
FOUR YEARS LATER
The house is crawling with people, and what should be a ten-second walk to the kitchen turns into a five-minute journey. I don’t think I’ve ever seen this many sorority girls under one roof before. Former sorority girls, most of whom are here tonight to celebrate my girl getting her B.S. in civil engineering and her B.A. in art with a distinction in photography.
Reese didn’t want to walk for either of her degrees, since she’s still the shy girl I met all those years ago. My stepmom insisted on hosting something at their house instead to celebrate her accomplishments. Just graduating is already impressive, but engineering is no fucking joke.
I should know. I’m regrettably stuck at Belford for another year or two while I prepare for my senior thesis project for my mechanical engineering major. Reese has plans to get her master’s, so there’ll still be one face I want to see on campus sticking around.
Seriously, the amount of effort she’s poured into her two majors deserves to be celebrated. I’m genuinely glad my stepmom scrounged a party together at the last minute or else I would’ve taken her out to dinner like I had originally planned.
Once again, I catch a glimpse of Alex preening under the attention he’s receiving from the girls while I pass by them. Unlike James, who’s been a blustery mess since Karla called him a cutie, Alex is relishing every second of it as he brags about a game-winning goal he scored last season.
Just then, I’m stopped by my dad, who greets me with an arched brow. “Have you?—”
“Not yet,” I answer, and a cocky half-smile tugs at my lips. “Maybe tomorrow. Or later tonight, when it’s just us. She’s not a fan of big audiences.”
He chuckles. “Let us know how it goes. Aisha will want all the details.”
“I will not provide any,” I reply dryly, and laughter lines crinkle the corners of his eyes. “Thanks again, though, for finding it for me.”
“Of course.” Sincerity fills his voice while he holds my gaze. “I’m glad we were able to. I thought we lost it in the move.”
Our relationship isn’t as volatile as it was back then, which I appreciate tremendously. I don’t see him every day, but we make it a point to get together on Sundays for breakfast—just us two—before Reese and I come over later that evening for family dinner.
Things between us have been good. Not only did he help me track down Ol’ Reliable and get it back for me after I wrote it off as a loss, but he went scorched earth on Walker and his frat brothers.
He got the best lawyers he knew to take on my case before the statute of limitations kicked in, and he made sure Belford expelled Walker’s ass as they should have done from the very beginning.
Caleb testified. I never would have ever imagined I’d find myself in a position where I’m grateful for Blue Balls, yet here I am. I’m genuinely thankful for everything he’s done.
Walker was supposed to get four years for felony assault, but he apparently got out early on good behavior. Last I heard, he moved to the East Coast. Good fucking riddance.
“Don’t lose it,” Dad says, and I huff out an amused scoff.
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” Mom’s ring feels heavier in my pocket, even more so when he clasps his hand on my shoulder and fixes me with a warm gaze. “Don’t get sappy on me now, old man.”
“I’m happy for you,” he says. “I truly am.”
“Tonight’s supposed to be about Reese,” I remind him, my tone heavy with a tease. “Not me.”
“Your mother would be so proud of you,” he continues, and an influx of emotions rises in my throat. “Of what a great man you’ve become.”
“You’re getting a bit too mushy for me in your old age.” My voice is a bit rougher. “But thanks.”
Before I can say more, we overhear Alex bragging loudly about the time he rode a motorcycle for his thirteenth birthday. Dad slowly aims a frown in my direction.
“Don’t you mean nearly pissing yourself while you sat on a bike for a second?” I holler, and Alex levels me with the biggest scowl I’ve ever seen.
Good Lord, one can only hope he won’t turn into a broody little shit. I’ve got a new sense of appreciation for my dad and stepmom just for being able to handle my moody ass at that age. I know I was a fucking handful.
Feigning confusion at my dad, I slip away before he finds out James also got to take my bike for a spin. I manage to duck into the kitchen before I’m intercepted once more. Unfortunately, Reese is not here.
Her sister is, and she’s giggling while she feeds Caleb a piece of cake off the tines of her fork.
To this very day, I still don’t know how or when, what, where, and why on God’s green earth these two are together. I don’t think I actually want to know. It can remain one of the world’s greatest mysteries for all I care. I’d rather listen to avant-garde experimental screaming than ask for details.
“As much as I hate to interrupt,” I deadpan, and they glance my way. “Have you guys seen Reese?”
“What do you mean?” Lilian straightens. “Isn’t she with you?”
Something like terror trickles into my chest and seizes my lungs when Caleb shakes his head.
“She’s with your brother,” he says. “Saw him whisper something in her ear before they went upstairs.”
Well, damn. I hike my chin and am about to turn around when Lilian speaks.
“Did you?—”
“Maybe after grad school,” I cut her short. “Or when she finally gets a hang of parallel parking. I’m in no rush.”
In response, Lilian simply lifts a brow, and Caleb mirrors her expression. I hold back my snort. They’re not wrong. Knowing my ass, it’s happening tonight. Luckily, Reese’s sister doesn’t seem against the idea.
She’s warmed up to me… somewhat. We’ll never become best friends. Hell, we’re not even friends. We don’t get along most days, but at least Lili hasn’t tried to warn her sister to stay away from me anymore. As long as she leaves Reese be, I’m perfectly content.
With a nod, I head for the stairs, only to halt mid-stride at the sound of the doorbell ringing. Since my dad and stepmom are nowhere around, I reluctantly answer the door and find nobody there.
My stance grows tense, and I roll the sleeves of my button-up shirt up to my elbows and step outside.
Besides the numerous amount of cars parked on the curb, nothing looks out of the ordinary. In the distance, the sun sinks into the horizon and paints the sky in streaks of pink and purple. At the end of the driveway, dozens of star-shaped mylar balloons are tied to the mailbox.
My attention cuts to my left when I notice a stray blue one tied to the porch. I’m not sure what it’s doing there. Before I even head back inside, something glints and captures my focus. My phone buzzes just then.
Taking a quick peek at the screen, I ignore the coded text and peer intently at the number I haven’t seen in years. As always, my chest gives a slight pang whenever he comes to mind. I don’t think it’ll ever go away.
With a furtive glance around, I move to the side and untie the balloon, barely working on the last knot, when I hear, “There you are.”
Quickly pocketing the Pontiac key, I shoot a grin over my shoulder and take a good look at her now that we’re finally alone for the first time today. Her long hair hangs in beachy waves, and she’s wearing a stunning blue dress that’s no match for the prettiest smile I’ve ever witnessed in my entire life. I’d give up all of my cars just for more of these smiles.
“I’ve been looking for you,” she continues.
“Funny,” I respond. “I’ve been looking for you.”
“Well, I wasn’t out here,” she teases, beaming brightly as she slips her arms around my waist. “What was that?”
“Nothing,” I say smoothly, but that look on her face tells me she knows I’m lying. “Someone dropped something off.”
It’s as far as I’ll go regarding the truth. I don’t want to be the dumbass who ruins things when she’s made so much progress these last few years. She’s doing better. She doesn’t freak out around people as often, and she’s finally regained a semblance of security. After everything she’s been through, I will not fuck that up for her.
She peers at me, her expression nonplussed. “For… your family?”
“Nah. For me,” I clarify, then draw in a deep breath. “An old friend came by. Someone I haven’t seen in a while.”
Years, actually. I haven’t seen Marco in years since our brawl. I haven’t heard from him, either. I only hear his name in passing when I check in with Shyla, who keeps me in the loop about the people from my old life. Best to always be alert, just in case GC becomes a problem in my life again. Or Wally. But the last I heard, he’s serving some time for several charges that’ll take forever to list.
I’m not sure what Marco’s been up to. I never asked Shyla for the details, but deep down, I know Sal wouldn’t be happy to hear that his nephew had dropped out and been doing God knows what these past four years.
“Oh. And you didn’t want to invite them to stay?” Confusion passes over her face while she peeks at the driveway. Some tension eases from my shoulders when her expression doesn’t let up. Marco’s a subject I try to avoid—especially tonight. I don’t need her fretting over me.
Ignoring the dull sting in my chest, I shrug. “Nah. Tonight’s your night.” An easygoing grin snaps back in place as I wink. “Now, come on. Let’s go back inside.”
“I kind of want a breather,” she admits, pulling her bottom lip between her teeth. “I just graduated today?—”
“Fuck yeah, you did!” I cut in, and her sharp burst of laughter slides free.
“While I appreciate everyone just for showing up,” she continues, “I want to relax after how hard my last final was. I don’t want to deal with the questions all night long.”
“Questions?” I repeat and groan when something bashful, yet knowing gleams in her eyes. “Don’t tell me they?—”
“James,” she whispers. “When he was asking for my advice on girl problems.”
“He’s about to have brother problems,” I grumble.
“Don’t blame him,” she says. “I, um, figured it out when he told me he can’t wait to have a sister. I’m sorry I ruined the surprise?—”
“Don’t be,” I cut in. “It’s not happening here.”
“It’s not?”
“I know my girl. When I propose to you later tonight, Iris Mae Vann,” I whisper, placing my hands on the small of her back, “it’ll be back at our apartment.”
“Really?” Amusement sparkles in her eyes.
“Well, the cat will be there, too,” I say dryly, and she snorts. “But it’ll just be us two.”
With a soft intake of breath, she traces a heart over my chest. “I can’t wait.”
“Me neither.” My eyes crinkle, and I’m defenseless against my stupid grin when she enthusiastically cups my face and draws me in for a kiss. It’s the sweetest one I’ve ever received and a reminder of how lucky I am to have a girl like her love me irrevocably with that big heart of hers.
Thank God I crashed into her life. I’m so grateful to have met her, and my life has been set on the right course since then. I wouldn’t trade it—any of it—for the world.
The End