Chapter Twenty-Six
I Kept a Secret
Gabe
“Why are you being so weird?” I think Ender is onto me. That’s the third time he’s asked me since we left my house.
“Babe, we’re just going to my parents’ house for dinner. Why is that weird?”
“I said you’re being weird—not going to your parents’ house.”
My lips against the back of his hand only momentarily distracts him as I stall for time.
“Yeah, you’re up to something, alright.”
We fall into a comfortable silence long enough for us to arrive at the house. Thankfully, my parents hired a valet service to park everyone’s cars up the road. As we walk into the quiet foyer, Ender says, “Since when do your parents forget to greet us at the door?”
“We’re supposed to meet them in the backyard.” I say as I rush to the back door—practically dragging Ender behind me—before he asks any other questions I can’t answer. When we get there, I turn to face him. “I love you, Bean.” His eyes go wide as he covers his mouth.
“Gabe, you didn’t…” As I open the door, the crowd on the other side of it screams “surprise,” and starts singing Happy Birthday. I take him into my arms, and I’m not sure if it’s for comfort or to keep him from running in the other direction.
“You’re in big trouble, mister,” he mumbles against my lips. Then our friends surround us, and we’re separated as Ender gets whisked away into a sea of hugs.
Luke and Austin lead me through the crowd. “Hey, Bryce. Thanks for helping us out here tonight,” I say as we approach the bar.
“Hey gorgeous. Of course,” he says as he sets a beer down in front of me. “What about you, handsome? Can I do anything for you?” Austin never knows how to respond to Bryce’s flirtatious behavior.
“Back off, Bryce.” Connor squeezes between us and leans into Austin, “I’ll protect you from the big bad wolf,” he whispers, sending us into a fit of laughter.
While I hang out with the guys, my mind is elsewhere—the same place my eyes have wandered to—watching Ender from across the backyard. He looks happy, and I can barely hold in the joy that radiates from every inch of my body.
“Well, look at this handsome group of men over here.” Aunt Grace slides in between Luke and me, giving us both side hugs. “How are all my boys doing?”
“Really good, Aunt Grace. I’m glad you’re here.” I lean down to kiss her auburn locks while others join us, but Ender is the only one I focus on as he approaches me from behind. Grace slides away from me, making room for him.
“Ender, did he tell you about the party?” My mother is so skeptical of my ability to keep a secret. She’s asked me a hundred times in the past month if I’ve told him yet. “You know he can’t keep a secret when it comes to any kind of surprise.” She laughs at me as my eyes disappear behind my lids.
“I can confirm that he actually kept the party a secret.” Ender side-hugs me and continues. “I truly had no idea about it. Thank you for making me feel so special, Layla.” I see them exchange a look, and it makes me warm inside to know my boyfriend considers my mother a friend now.
A woman sidles up next to Ender, and right away I can tell who she’s related to. “Happy Birthday, Ender.” His eyes do that sparkly thing when he turns her way, and I can see mutual fondness between them. “I’m so sorry we’re late. Charlie just got home from an unexpected work trip a few hours ago.”
“Never apologize, Mrs. A.”
“Hey, now. Save some of those hugs for the rest of us.” More new faces gather around us.
Ender makes his rounds, greeting Connor’s and Kaden’s parents, hugging each of them with as much love as I give my own parents.
I can tell they’re one big family unit, and it makes me smile knowing they took care of him when his parents didn’t.
“And this must be Gabe?” Lanie is the spitting image of her mother.
“Yes, ma’am. Nice to meet you, Mrs. Parker.”
She tuts at me. “You stop that ‘ma’am’ nonsense. We’re all family here.”
“She’s already adopted me,” Grace chimes in. “She makes a mean meatloaf too. I’m woman enough to admit it’s better than mine.”
I gasp. “No way. That’s impossible, Grace.”
Luke hides behind me and says, “She’s not lying.” We all laugh at him hiding from a five-foot-three-inch, fifty-year-old woman. I can’t blame him, though—Grace can pack a punch if she needs to.
We all fall into conversation, and I watch how all the moms of our group gravitate toward each other, Luke’s aunts and my mother fitting right in with Ender’s family.
Our friends pair off, and I notice Faith actually has a smile on her face while she’s talking to Dakota—he’s slowly wearing her down.
“Are you having a good time?” I ask Ender, smelling my shampoo as I nuzzle into him.
“Of course. I’m with all my favorite people.” There’s that smile I love so much.
“So, how are you feeling, Gabe?” Kaden steps up beside Ender with Luke in tow. “Luke said you were sick last week,” Kaden says with a smirk, while I pat Ender’s back as he has a coughing fit.
“Umm, I’m fine. Must’ve been a twenty-four-hour bug or something.” As I look at the three of them, I suddenly feel like I’m left out of a joke. When my best friend breaks out into laughter, I have an idea what’s going on. “How did you know?”
Ender raises his hand, and my brows must be in my hairline with all the questions running through my mind.
“I may or may not have texted Kaden and told him to get Luke out of your office.” I have a flashback of Ender pulling away from me right before Luke got the text from Kaden.
“Fuck, that’s why you kept asking me if I needed a new desk for the past week?
” I ask Luke. Ender and Kaden join in laughing along with Luke.
“You guys are a bunch of assholes.” I grab the back of Ender’s neck, pulling him in until our lips are barely touching.
“And you are in a lot of trouble, brat.”
“Hey, I got him out of the office, right?” I can’t argue with that as I close my teeth around Ender’s lower lip, a devilish smile crossing his face.
“Awww, look at those lovebirds,” Grace gushes over us.
I freeze for a moment, and then I remember my boyfriend has come to terms with me loving him. I know he felt it when his arms tighten around me. “Sorry, force of habit.”
“I’m not running anymore,” Ender whispers, I nod and hum against my favorite spot. There’s no need for words when I’m wrapped in a bear hug. From over his shoulder, I see Mrs. Ackerman approach my mother, leaning in to share a few words before they walk off together.