Chapter 12 #2
I say, “We got along pretty quickly. It was honestly a dream. We were given the best parents and opportunities that anyone in our situation would’ve asked for.”
“But?” She hears the incoming word.
“But,” Dean continues, “our mom passed away a few months back. Since then … everything’s changed. I don’t even think we can look at this place the same. It feels entirely different without her.”
“How is your dad doing? Is he a good man?” she asks, the question taking us by surprise.
Dean continues, “He is. He might have forgotten that a bit at the moment, but he’s a great person at the core. We’ve always looked up to him. But since our mom passed, it’s like the good parts of him died with her. He’s so focused on growth and image now, in ways he never was before.”
Lowering my arms from her shoulders, I snake them around her waist, and she does something surprising. She lays her arms atop mine, interlocking our fingers.
“I’m sorry. Both for your mom and for your dad. He’s making you grieve two parents at once, and that isn’t fair.”
A dam bursts in my chest when I hear her explain it like that—better than I ever could’ve. That’s exactly what it feels like. We’ve been mourning my mom, but also the person our dad used to be.
He should have been here for us, helped us heal, not made it a million times harder.
“It’s okay. We’ll be all right,” Dean assures her. “And you?”
“What about me?” she mimics, lifting her legs over Dean’s.
He rests his hands on her knees. “Will you be okay? You’re welcome to stay here with us to get away from your stepmom.”
She laughs painfully. “I appreciate the offer, but unfortunately, she’d still know where I was. Don’t worry about me; I can handle myself.”
“I think we’re still going to worry, Princess. We care too much about you,” Dean admits.
I nod, whispering in her ear, “Please don’t block us out.”
“This isn’t going to be enough for you both. Secret meetups. Hidden identity. Your patience with me will run out, and then you’ll move on. I’m just trying to save all of us from hurting more than is already inevitable.”
“Dean,” I say, “correct me if I’m wrong.
” I tip her chin up, making her look up into my eyes.
“But you’re not going to get rid of us that easily, Princess.
We’ve never felt this way about anyone. We’ve had flings and girlfriends, separately, but nothing compared to what we share with you.
” I pause, tilting her head back further.
“You’ll take the mask off when the time is right.
We trust you. Until then, we’ll be here, however you’ll take us. ”
Wetness pools in her eyes, and she sniffles, a tear breaking away and rolling down her temple. “I like you guys … a lot. I don’t want this to end either.”
“Then it won’t,” Dean commands.
She sits up, sniffles again, and takes a few deep breaths.
A moment of nothing passes, like time is frozen.
But then she inhales sharply and launches herself at Dean, throwing her arms around his neck. He embraces her immediately, eyes widened but softening by the second. He nods at me with a smile before slamming his eyes shut and squeezing her tighter.
“We’ve got you,” he assures her, rubbing her back.
After a moment, she pulls away and leans back into me.
“I promise,” I tell her, kissing the top of her head.
An idea pops into my mind, and I’m not sure if she’ll agree, but it’s worth a shot. “We’ll give you our phone numbers. Text or call any time of day. For emergencies. Just to talk, to vent, to flirt.” I wink. “We’re at your disposal. And if you ever need us, we’re a message away.”
Dean agrees instantly, “Yeah.”
“Okay,” she murmurs, her lack of enthusiasm noticeable.
She slips her hand in her dress and pulls out her phone.
The screen lights up, and I find a picture of a little white mouse.
“You have a pet mouse?” I ask her, desperate to learn anything and everything more about her.
She nods, not muttering a word more.
She swipes the screen abruptly, hiding all of her notifications before opening her Notes app. “What’s your guys’ numbers?”
We give them to her, and she saves them before locking and stowing her phone away.
“I should go. It’s getting late, and I have to be up early.”
“For what?” Dean grins, trying to squeeze more information out of her. “Work? Class?”
She grins. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
“Ouch. I would.” He grabs his heart. “One last question.”
He stands up and offers her his hands, which she takes.
“Yes?”
Getting to my feet, I stroll over and stand beside Dean, facing her.
“Who do you like more?” He smirks.
She giggles before pointing at me. “You.” And then she points at Dean. “And you. Equally. Who do you like more, hmm? Me or Asher?”
I laugh, enjoying watching someone push Dean’s buttons.
Dean leans back against the wall. “Well, for one, I don’t want to fuck my brother. But when it comes to you, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do.”
Her cheeks burn up at his confession. “Good to know.”
“When can we see you again?” I ask, already knowing how much I’m going to miss her.
Her smile softens. “I’ll text you.”
“Okay. We’ll be waiting,” Dean vows as she heads for the exit. “Oh wait, one more thing. Ash.”
Shit. I almost forgot, but thankfully, Dean remembered.
Rushing out of the gazebo, I grab the bouquet of blue tulips, white hydrangeas, and baby’s breath we picked up at Happily Ever After floral shop on campus today.
When I stride back in, her face lights up.
“These are for you.”
She beams. “They’re beautiful. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” we both respond, nearly in unison.
“Good night, Prince Charming and my knight in shining armor.” She giggles and disappears into the shadows.