Epilogue
Andrew
I pull into the driveway and immediately frown when I see Slade’s truck already parked there.
He shouldn’t be home for another hour at least. I’ve been enjoying this new little routine I’ve built for myself…
getting home first, having a long shower, and starting dinner so Slade can walk in after a long day at the garage and actually relax.
It feels like the least I can do after years of being nothing but a burden to him.
I kill the engine, grab my backpack from the passenger seat, and sling it over one shoulder as I climb out.
The bag is heavier than usual today, stuffed with notes from classes.
It was a good day. I spent most of it sitting with May and Brett in the common area between lectures.
They’re solid people… funny, smart, no drama.
I told them straight away that I have a boyfriend, even though Slade hates that word.
They were totally cool with it, no weird looks, no questions.
Honestly, I only said it so early in case they decided they didn’t want to be friends once they found out.
Turns out they’re even better than I hoped .
I head inside, kicking my shoes off by the door. Something smells incredible… rich, savoury, and warm. Is Slade cooking? That’s not a surprise, he’s always cooked for us, but I like to think I’ve been pulling my weight lately.
I walk through to the kitchen and my eyes go wide.
Slade’s standing at the stove with no shirt on, just a pair of loose grey sweats riding low on his hips.
The sight of him… all that bare muscle and the way his back flexes when he stirs something in the pan…
still hits me every single time. Thankfully he’s got the sweats on, or I might actually malfunction on the spot.
He’s also set the table nicely, and there’s a bouquet of flowers in the middle, deep red roses mixed with some white ones I don’t know the name of. My stomach does a little flip.
“Are we having a date or something?” I ask, unable to keep the smile out of my voice.
Slade turns around, and the grin that spreads across his face is so bright and open it makes my chest feel too small.
He doesn’t answer with words. He just crosses the kitchen and scoops me clean off the floor.
I let out a surprised laugh and instinctively wrap my legs around his waist, arms looping around his neck to hold on.
My backpack slides off my shoulder and thumps to the floor, completely forgotten.
“Slade…” I start, but he cuts me off.
“Andrew,” he says, voice low and warm, like my name is something precious .
“Yeah?”
He kisses me, so full of feeling that my brain short-circuits for a second. When he pulls back just enough to rest his forehead against mine, his eyes are soft in a way I’ve never seen before.
“I love you.”
My eyes go wide. I stare at him, heart slamming against my ribs. That is the absolute last thing I was expecting him to say. Ever.
“You do?” I whisper, voice cracking.
Slade nods, nuzzling his nose against mine in that stupidly lovesick way that makes my knees weak even though he’s holding me up. “Yeah, baby. I do.”
The grin that breaks across my face feels huge and unstoppable. “Well… good. ’Cause I love you too.”
He kisses me again, deeper this time, tongue sliding against mine like he’s sealing the words between us. When he finally pulls back, he’s still smiling.
“After we devour this food,” he murmurs against my lips, “I’m devouring you on the couch. And then we’re gonna watch that movie you won’t shut up about.”
I laugh, bright and happy. “Hey, Venom is a good movie. And that alien is kinda hot, okay?”
Slade’s deep laugh rumbles through his chest and into mine. He sets me down gently but keeps his hands on my waist like he doesn’t want to let go just yet.
“Thanks for telling Maria and Carla for me,” he says quietly. “The guys… they were mostly okay. ”
I nod, relief flooding through. “So, we don’t have to move?”
Slade smiles, soft and sure. “Guess not.”