Chapter 32
Chapter Thirty-Two
Sadie
Here’s To Us
Halestorm
Boston always feels like old stories. Brick and harbor wind and clattering trolleys and corners that smell like history. By the time the bus rolls into the hotel’s private garage, the sun is dipping low, turning the city gold.
Quinn hops off beside me, slinging her bag over her shoulder. She’s electric, happy to have seen me, excited for her friends, blissfully unaware that she’s left a trail of chaos behind her on the bus. Which, honestly, is very on-brand for her.
“Text me,” I say, pulling her into a tight hug.
“Feel free to share my number with Michael,” she whispers.
I bite back a grin and glance over. Sure enough, Mikey stands stiffly by the bus door, watching her like she’s both a threat and a challenge he hasn’t yet named.
“Have fun with your friends.” I give her one last squeeze.
She pulls back with a wicked smile. “Oh, I will. But I’ll miss you, and your weird family drama.”
I snort. “It’s not drama.”
“It’s absolutely drama,” she drawls with an impish grin.
“Come back and join us anytime.” I smirk. “I have a feeling there’s someone here that wouldn’t mind that at all.”
She pats my cheek like a menace and then waves to the guys in a mock salute. Mikey stares after her longer than necessary. Dean elbows him. “Stop drooling,” he mutters.
“I wasn’t,” Mikey sputters, then cuffs Dean in the shoulder. “Shut up.”
Dean smirks. Hayden shakes his head. Cherry mumbles something about needing a drink.
And me? I’m already exhausted and desperately amused.
We head for the hotel elevator - me, Dean, Mikey, Hayden, Cherry, and the moment the doors close, I feel Dean shift toward me.
It’s subtle; not enough to draw attention, just enough so his arm brushes mine.
Warm. Steady. Familiar. My pulse stumbles. We’re not telling anyone yet. But that doesn’t stop my body from responding like we’re still back in Charlotte, skin on skin, breathless and undone. Not now, but later, and until then, we have to play normal. Whatever that means for us.
We ride up in silence, then walk the carpeted hallway toward the suite we’ve been summoned to. Luc and Lily invited us all to dinner, and honestly, it’s really a nice gesture. We usually only sit down together in diners, and even then, we’re spread out between tables.
Dean shoots me a look as we knock. A silent question; are you ready? I exhale and nod.
Yeah. I am so ready.
Luc answers the door, and spreads his arms out wide with flourish announcing: “Welcome to Thanksgiving: Rock Band Edition! Come on in.” The whole scene feels loud and warm and real, like a found family wrapped in mismatched glitter as we all parade inside.
“Luc, it’s July.” Lily laughs, then directs her attention to us. “Ignore him. He hasn’t slept in three days.”
“Traitor,” Luc whispers against her hair.
Marie has Larkin on her lap, who is playing with a spoon, banging it loudly on the wooden surface in front of her. The guys immediately go to the bar to grab drinks. Mikey plants himself closest to Larkin, and begins to dig into food already laid out on the table.
Dean steps behind me, brushing his fingers over my lower back. “Wow. It’s like no one here has ever heard of volume control.”
Hayden and Cherry make up plates and go sit on one of the sofas. Dean and I sit across from each other at the table, and even though we’re trying to be discreet, we keep sneaking glances at one another.
I watch the scene around me with fascination.
Mikey letting Larkin do whatever her little heart desires, from smashing food in his hair, to smacking his fingers with spoons.
Lily and Luc whispering sweet secrets to each other.
Marie gunning for grandmother of the century.
She makes a comment about us having more family dinners, and I realize with her words, that this is what they are.
They may be loud, dysfunctional, absolutely chaotic, but they are without a doubt a family.
And one that I have come to adore, much to my surprise.
Dean moves and comes to sit beside me. And he’s close, close enough our knees touch under the table.
My heart absolutely betrays me. Maybe we’re doing fine at pretending. Right?
Until Mikey breaks the spell, when he points a fry in our direction and asks pointedly, “Are you two still a secret? Or can we quit acting like you aren’t a thing?”
Cherry chokes. Hayden drops his fork. Lily gives a small gasp-laugh combo. Luc stares like he’s watching a documentary unfold. Dean’s knee presses against mine, slow and deliberate.
“Would it matter?” Dean asks casually, sipping his drink.
“Yeah, it would,” Mikey continues, waving the fry, “you two with all the snarling and glaring and weird sexual tension makes me want to hit something.” He chuffs. “Just do it already and put us all out of our misery.”
I clear my throat. “We’re getting along better now.”
“Better?” Lily pushes. “Or, something more than that?” Her eyes are knowing. Warm.
Dean looks at me. Really looks. And something in his gaze cracks open. This is the moment. We know it’s time.
“Fuck it. We’re together,” Dean confirms, his voice a little wobbly.
The room goes silent except for Larkin squealing at a spoon. Lily brightens instantly. “Oh! I knew it. I felt it. I could practically taste it.”
“Please don’t talk about tasting things,” Dean mutters.
Luc grins. “About damn time.”
Marie clasps her hands like a proud grandmother watching a Hallmark plot unfold.
Hayden nods approvingly. “Called it.”
Cherry smirks. “You owe me twenty, Hayden.”
Mikey stands so fast his chair screeches. “We are NOT getting another bus for these two!” He faces Cherry, his expression entirely serious.
“Mikey, that won’t be necessary,” I assure him, and smile. “One can only take so much Dean brooding. I need you to keep things balanced.”
He sits. Closes his mouth. Darts his gaze back and forth between Dean and me, then turns his attention to Hayden. “Guess you’re my new wingman.”
“Dream on, kid,” Hayden declares, shaking his head. Everyone laughs. And just like that, the tension is gone, and suddenly, everything feels easy. Right.
Lily beams across the table. “I’m happy for you both.” Luc wraps an arm around her shoulders. “Same.” Larkin bangs her spoon and squeals approval.
I swear my heart could burst. Dean nudges my foot under the table and I glance at him. He looks grounded. Peaceful. More open than I’ve ever seen him. And I realize, this isn’t just him choosing me, this is him choosing us. Choosing to stand beside me in the light instead of the shadows.
Everyone falls into conversation again; Lily telling a story about Larkin trying to eat a sock, Marie scolding Mikey for holding the baby too loosely, Cherry nudging Hayden about ordering dessert.
I sit back, letting the sounds wash over me. Dean leans in, voice just for me. “It feels good, right?”
“What?” I ask softly.
“Not hiding.” My chest pulls tight, full of something I haven’t let myself feel in a long, long time.
“Yeah,” I whisper. “It really does.”
He brushes his fingers against mine under the table, warm, sure, steady. And for the first time, it doesn’t feel like we’re running or hiding from something. It feels like we’re building something. Together.