Chapter 68
UPDATE: I THINK MY MOM HAS THE HOTS FOR AXEL. #MOMAPPROVAL
DAKOTA
I navigated the streets of the suburb with a smile on my face, feeling so grateful for everything.
I was grateful that Mathew was dead. Maybe that made me a horrible person, but the thought of someone that dangerous ever entering society again or somehow escaping prison would’ve kept me up at night for the rest of my life.
I was grateful that Axel was okay after his stint in the hospital. I was grateful that I was okay too.
But today, I was most grateful for love. The love that Axel and I shared was like a new heartbeat in my soul, pumping joy and optimism through every breath. And I was grateful for the love of my parents.
Today, we had a longer to-do list on the house.
We were going to tackle replacing the kitchen faucet, the rotted wood around the garage door, the exterior light fixture that had broken, and we were going to prep the front of the house for the new ramp I’d ordered.
It would arrive next weekend, so we had to get everything ready.
It would be a long day, but I was looking forward to it. Next weekend, we’d move on to the gutters.
In the hospital, Jace had once again offered to hire an entire crew to handle this.
Axel did too. Which was really sweet. But they didn’t know my mom and dad.
They were hardworking people, and financial handouts weren’t in their comfort zone.
It was hard enough for them to accept the help I was offering with my endorsement money.
Plus, I didn’t mind the hard work. It gave us something to accomplish together.
I just wished we could get through the list faster. Because every repair that wasn’t done was something hindering Mom and Dad’s ability to live comfortably. A faucet without hot water, obstacles preventing Mom from moving around certain areas of the house with ease.
I turned the corner, and my smile fell, replaced with confusion.
“Oh no.”
There were a handful of people on my parents’ front lawn.
Did Jace not listen to me? I knew he probably would never understand, but Mom and Dad would be so upset if …
Wait.
Those weren’t contractors.
The mixture of men and women all looked familiar.
As I pulled into the driveway, I threw the car in park and got out, my heart swelling.
“Told you she’d cry,” Faith said with a grin.
“What are you all doing here?” I managed, looking at the people before me. Axel, Jace. Ryker, and Blake were dressed in jeans, T-shirts, and steel-toed boots, looking every part the construction workers rather than the billionaire, CEO, lawyer, and emergency room doctor that they were.
“Axel said if we didn’t show up to help, he’d post our most embarrassing college photos on Instagram,” Jace started.
Scarlett smacked his abs to shut him up. “I think what he’s trying to say is that Axel mentioned you guys could use some help.”
Jace smirked, rubbing his stomach. “I’m just saying, phone calls are a lot easier than hammering nails.”
“You’re so spoiled,” Scarlett said, trailing a finger down his chest. “It’ll do you good to get your hands dirty. Besides, I’m loving seeing you in this construction gear.”
“Jesus,” Ryker muttered, adjusting his tool belt. “Can you two stop eye-fucking each other for like five seconds? You’re as bad as Tessa and Blake with the PDA.”
“Hey, we’re still newlyweds,” Tessa protested. “We get to have massive PDA for at least a year.”
Blake grabbed her ass, and she squealed with delight.
Ryker leveled him with his best death glare. “I know you’re her husband now, but for your dear brother-in-law’s sake, can you keep your hands off my sister when I’m within a fifty-foot radius?”
“My husband can touch me anywhere, anytime,” Tessa said, staring defiantly at her brother.
“And I will,” Blake added with a wicked grin, pulling her closer.
Ryker made an exaggerated gagging sound. “Dakota, I’m happy to help, but if those two keep fondling each other, I’m out.”
I smirked, wiping a tear off my cheek. “Fair enough.”
“Well, while they’re busy being gross …” Jace said, patting his pockets. “Scarlett, where’s my phone? You said I’d get it back once I could no longer replace us with paid contractors.”
I smirked, imagining her snatching that thing from him.
“Come and get it,” she challenged, backing away with a mischievous smile.
“Oh, you’re asking for it now.” Jace stalked toward her.
“Am I?” Scarlett took off running toward the backyard.
Jace immediately gave chase. “You’re going to pay for that!”
Their laughter echoed as they disappeared around the corner, followed by a loud squeal that told us he’d caught her.
“Can you believe that dude runs a billion-dollar empire?” Axel shook his head.
“He’s in love,” I said, wrapping my arms around Axel, careful of his side. “Anyone in love is stripped down to their most basic instincts.”
“You mean acting like horny teenagers?” Blake interjected.
“Children,” Axel corrected. “She’s calling them children.”
I smacked his chest. “I am not!”
“Dakota!” Mom’s voice rang out as she rolled down her bumpy ramp, Dad appearing behind her.
“Mom!” I jogged over and threw my arms around her. She’d visited me in the hospital, but I no longer took any of these moments for granted. I now understood that each time I saw someone I loved could be the last.
“Where’s all this help coming from?” Dad asked, eyeing the group with amused suspicion.
“Axel called in reinforcements,” I explained.
“We weren’t expecting so much help,” Mom said, her eyes bright with excitement. “I only bought snacks for four people.”
“Don’t worry about snacks, Mom.”
Jace reappeared from the backyard, Scarlett thrown over his shoulder. “I can have any snacks you want delivered within the hour. What do you need? Sandwiches? Pizza? I can have Swiss chocolate air-dropped into the backyard—”
“Put me down, you caveman!” Scarlett laughed, pounding on his back.
“Give me my phone first.”
“Never!”
Faith watched the chaos with an amused smile, and I caught Ryker sneaking glances at her when he thought no one was looking. She was wearing fitted jeans and a fitted shirt that showed off her toned arms. As such, Ryker seemed to be having trouble focusing on his tool belt.
“All right, all right,” Dad interrupted, clapping his hands together. “Before someone gets hurt, let’s get organized. Axel, son, where would you like us to start?”
Son. My heart melted.
Axel looked at my mom. “Mrs. Blackwood, this is your house. You’re the boss.”
Mom beamed and shot me a knowing look. “I really like your boyfriend, honey.”
“Knox wasn’t too thrilled,” I reminded her.
“Your brother’s cranky. When he gets out of prison, he’ll come around. Now, follow me. I think we should start in the kitchen.”
As everyone started discussing the day’s tasks, Axel took my hand and paused for one last moment before we all got started.
“I love you, Sunshine.” He kissed me raw, deep, and apparently without caring about our audience.
“Get a room!” Ryker called out, but I noticed he was still stealing glances at Faith, who was pretending not to notice.
“You know, I remember a time when you barely ever cried.” He smirked, wiping away a tear.
“Well, that was before you made me go all soft and mushy.”
He laughed. “Come on, Sunshine.”
A fresh squeal from Scarlett came from the side of the house. Apparently, Jace wasn’t done with his revenge. Blake and Tessa were sharing another quick kiss by the front steps. And Faith was asking Ryker to help her carry some supplies, their hands brushing as they reached for the same box.
Definitely interesting.
Axel walked me by the hand toward my parents’ home. Into my future. Surrounded by friends who felt like family—actual family—and, most of all, love.
The kind of love that made even the hardest work feel like play and every ordinary moment feel like magic.