EPILOGUE
AURYN
“Geez, Auryn, what’s the rush? I’m hurrying as fast as I can. I still need to put on a little makeup.” Ripley stood in the basement bathroom, the door hanging open so I could see inside.
Still wrapped in a towel from her shower, she leaned over the sink while rubbing moisturizer into her skin. Since Dom had moved out last week, we were staying in the basement every time she came over. Which was more often than not.
Since our talk after graduation two weeks ago, Ripley and Athena had discussed their living arrangements.
Athena was more than understanding, encouraging Ripley to move in with me if that’s what she wanted.
Ripley had been reluctant to leave her friend stuck with the bills.
Even though Athena had insisted she had some savings to fall back on, Ripley wouldn’t hear of it.
Not until I stepped in. Once I paid the bills for Athena’s apartment for the next six months, Ripley had no more excuses. She had been gradually moving more things over to my place. Spending almost every night here.
Thanks to the organ sales the guys and I engaged in, I had enough money stockpiled for a down payment on a house.
Ripley wanted to take our time getting established in life before making another move.
She’d recently started a new job at the same facility we had both visited.
A part-time gig learning the ropes to become an intake worker.
I was more than happy to go at her pace.
We had a strong future ahead of us. There was no reason to rush.
Except for right now. We had somewhere to be. I hadn’t told her yet where I was taking her. She would find out when we arrived.
“You don’t need makeup. You’re beautiful without it. Besides, you won’t need it where we’re going.” I stood in the bathroom door, watching her rub lotion into her skin.
“Where are we going anyway?” She turned to pin me with a suspicious stare. “Why can’t you tell me?”
“Because then it wouldn’t be a surprise. Now hurry up. We need to be there in half an hour.” When I came across this local event on social media, I knew it would be perfect for Ripley. I hoped she loved it.
She’d been doing so much better. Attending therapy regularly.
Working hard to keep progressing. She was almost completely off the Oxy now.
Although she had struggled with some withdrawal symptoms like nausea, insomnia, and cravings, I’d watched her push through it all.
Determined not to backslide, even though her therapist had assured her that it wouldn’t make her a failure.
I’d noticed her urges to self-harm were almost nonexistent now that her mother was no longer in her life. Even though I’d never met the woman, I wasn’t sure I’d hated anyone more. The damage she had done to her own daughter was sickening.
We didn’t speak of her much. Ripley had made her peace with needing to cut her mother out of her life.
I myself had issues with my own mother, though they didn’t compare to what she’d dealt with.
My mom tended to be self-involved, always caught up in her own life.
Still, she always took the time to let me know she loved me and was there if I needed her.
I paced around the basement, killing a few minutes by punching the bag in the corner of the workout area. I was antsy to get going.
Finally, Ripley emerged wearing light makeup, her hair loose and straight. A thin hoodie over a pair of black leggings. Even in such casual attire, my girl was fucking gorgeous.
“I’m ready. Let’s go. Wherever you’re taking me, you better not do anything to embarrass me, Auryn. I mean it.” She shook a finger at me before ascending the stairs.
“Are you guys leaving now?” Codie smiled knowingly. She and Stray sat on the couch watching TV.
I had told her where I intended to take Ripley today. She’d gushed and squealed, telling me I was an amazing boyfriend. Hearing that I was someone’s boyfriend still felt strange. In a good way. Something I wasn’t used to but definitely loved.
“It’s not fair that Codie knows.” Ripley pretended to pout.
I steered her along to the door. “Pretty soon you’ll know too. Let’s go. I don’t want to be late.”
During the drive, Ripley chewed a fingernail, bouncing her leg. Nervous about not knowing where I was taking her. I was a little nervous as well. I wasn’t used to doing such things for someone else. This was my way of showing her how much I loved her and cared. I wanted it to go well.
We drove through town, ending up in an area heavily populated by businesses of all kinds. When we pulled into the parking lot of a pet store, she glanced over at me, her brows knit together quizzically.
“The pet store? What are we doing here?”
Instead of answering her, I got out of the car and rounded the vehicle to her side. Opening the door, I took her hand and coaxed her out. “You’ll see in a minute.”
A local animal shelter was hosting an adoption event today.
Several of their adoptable cats would be here at the pet store for people to come meet.
As soon as I saw the notification online about it, I flashed back to the conversation Ripley and I had about her mother never allowing her to have a pet when all she ever wanted was a cat.
Hopefully, today she would find that cat.
As we entered the store, we were greeted by a large sign showcasing the adoption event and the name of the shelter hosting it. Ripley’s eyes grew wide. She glanced back and forth from me to the sign.
“We’re here for a fish or something, right?” Her voice quivered, like she couldn’t let herself believe it.
It killed me that something as basic as adopting a cat meant this much to her. Mostly because I couldn’t imagine how cruel her mother had to be to look into her wide blue eyes and say no.
“Absolutely not.” I pulled her along past the sign and into the store, quickly spotting the area off to one side where several cats in metal enclosures were on display for people to meet. “Take your time. Browse around. If you find one that tugs on your heartstrings, he or she is all yours.”
Ripley’s blue eyes filled with tears that she furiously blinked away. Swiping her cheek when one escaped. “I can’t believe this. Nobody has ever done anything so thoughtful for me.”
She threw her arms around me, hugging me tight. Choking back a sob before it overwhelmed her. I gave her a gentle nudge toward the enclosures, staying close enough to be supportive but letting her take the lead.
She walked up to each enclosure, reading the little info card on the cat inside. Speaking softly to each cat before moving to the next.
“Oh my God, Auryn, I want them all. How will I ever choose?”
I chuckled, loving her reaction. “Let’s start with one. Maybe when we get our own place, we can have a small herd.”
I’d grown up with dogs myself, although I wasn’t opposed to cats or any other pet. I understood how powerful the love of an animal could be. Ripley deserved to have that.
She moved on ahead while I lingered, sticking my finger between the slots of an enclosure while a little tabby kitten swatted it. Sure, I could be a cat person. What an adorable little creature.
It took me a while to realize that Ripley hadn’t budged for some time. Curious about what had captured her attention, I joined her at an enclosure containing a raggedy little black thing with only one eye. He looked like he’d really gone through it in his time.
“His name is Lucky,” Ripley said softly, running her fingers over the information sheet attached to the enclosure.
“It says he was found outside. They’re not sure what happened to him.
Sounds like he was pretty beat up. He’s had medical care.
Physically he’s doing pretty well now, but it says he needs someone patient.
Willing to take their time getting him to come out of his shell.
I think I want it to be me, Auryn. I don’t think I can walk away from this little guy. ”
Her voice broke, and she quickly wiped her tears with the sleeve of her hoodie. Sliding an arm around her shoulders, I pulled her in close against me, studying the little cat inside the enclosure.
With his one green eye, he stared back at me. Then he looked at her. Maybe I was crazy but it felt like we shared a moment. A thought. I suspected he needed her as much as she needed him.
“I’ll find the person in charge and fill out the application.
Don’t worry about a thing, doll. I’ll cover all the costs.
You just give him all the love he needs.
Like you do for me.” Pressing a kiss to the side of her head, I went in search of the person hosting the event.
I was going to get this cat for my girl if I had to bribe said person with thousands of dollars to do it.
After making a substantial donation to the shelter and filling out all the appropriate paperwork, little Lucky was ours. I didn’t think I’d ever seen Ripley so happy.
We filled a shopping cart with supplies from the pet store.
Everything we would need to give Lucky his best life.
When he was moved from his enclosure into the pet carrier we bought, Ripley touched him for the first time.
Right away he leaned into her, nuzzling her hand.
Two silent tears streaked down her cheeks as she smiled at him.
God, I loved watching her heart melt. I wanted to always make her this happy.
I had to laugh to myself. The me from several months ago would have punched this me in the face. This woman had changed me, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
“Thank you so much, Auryn.” Ripley threw her arms around me when we got out to the car. “You’re such a good guy. I fucking love you.”
I hugged her back, savoring every damn second. “What can I say, baby girl? I’m love’s bitch.”