Epilogue
A lmost a year later
JUSTIN
Today is a Star Wars-themed night at Dancing Pony, and I’m extremely nervous because it’s the first time Alicia’s coming out with us. Coming out to mingle with people, that is—not just with us, period.
A small hand lands on my knee, stopping it from jerking.
“Relax, Jus. She’ll be fine.” Kayla’s voice always soothes me.
Unless we’re in the bedroom, of course—there, she turns into a little minx.
She figured out how much I love dirty talking and uses it on me as her choice weapon of total destruction.
You won’t find me complaining, though. “She’s doing better, and she brought up going all on her own.
No one is forcing her. She’s doing better, I promise. ”
“I trust you, baby. I’m just worried.” I take her hand in mine and bring it to my lips for a kiss.
“I know you do. And that’s one of the reasons I love you,” she coos.
I quickly glance at her before returning my attention back to the road. “What are the others?”
“Hmm. Let me think.” She taps her finger on her chin. “Your nine inches? I love all of them.”
I let out a loud laugh. “Anything else?” I’m totally fishing here.
“Hmm… nope.” She chuckles.
“Alright. Let’s see if you change your mind later once I start withholding my inches until you find other reasons—since you’re only using me for sex,” I pretend to complain, suppressing my grin.
“I so am,” she confirms with a devious smirk as she places her hand over my crotch.
I laugh again and smack her hand away—said inches roaring to life, just like every time Kayla’s around, and the timing couldn’t be more awkward.
“We’re almost there. I’m not planning to walk around with a woody. That designer lady might notice.” I pout, making Kayla laugh before her face turns serious.
“Oh, hell no. She’d better keep her hands off.
” Kayla’s lips turn into a genuine pout, and it’s adorable.
She still has my ring on her finger, but the little minx refuses to set a date.
I keep quiet because I want her to finish school and all the classes she signed up for, but after that, if she still refuses, we’re eloping to Vegas.
We’re at the Dancing Pony, and the street in front of it is fully packed with vehicles of all sorts.
We park, and I get our bag from the back seat containing our costumes.
I’ve never gone to a costume party here before—I guess I was ‘ too cool ’ for that—but the preparations of the outfits turned out to be a lot of fun.
A couple of years ago, Alex fucked up and had to dress as a hobbit just to go with Freya, so if he could do that, it might not be that bad.
As for me, all my fun started when Kayla was trying on different outfits, and some of them were really slutty.
It was the best day of my life. She ended up dressing as Rey in this tight gray costume, showcasing her gorgeous body and the tattoos that the real Rey lacked.
While I was busy ogling her dancing around the room in her tight pants, she coaxed me into playing Kylo Ren, telling me that I’m missing only the helmet because his snobbish attitude is my default setting.
The inn is full of people. I’ve heard that Emma throws…
all sorts of parties, but I have never been to any of the special ones .
Even with my reputation—scratch that, my old reputation—of a sex addict (which is absolutely far from the truth), I shudder at the thought.
I don’t want to end up in the same space as Paul swinging his dick around like a sword, since I’ve heard he and Marina attend those parties together.
I shudder again and secure the plastic sword on my hip. The real sword, not the other kind. Ugh .
“Here they are!” Freya singsongs from her chair when she sees us.
She’s dressed like that little green dude with cute ears, while Alex wears a black helmet and a black batman-like outfit.
I only know it’s him because his frame is unmistakable.
I have no idea who their characters are, even though Freya looks like an overgrown Yoda.
“Who?” Alex asks, turning around too fast. His shoulders are far too broad for such a narrow space, though, and he knocks a lamp from the accent wall down with his elbow. It falls on the floor and shatters into pieces.
Everyone around groans. Everyone.
“Another victim of the serial killer,” Freya says as she stands from the chair and wraps a hand around Alex’s arm, cooing sweetly to him, “It’s okay, Boo Bear.
You’ll be fine.” She pats his belly where the material of his costume has stretched so much it’s nearly bursting, and Kayla lets out a giggle.
“Boo Bear?” she repeats.
Freya shrugs with a smile. “Seems fitting.”
“It sure does.” Donna winks at her, appearing out of thin air. “Look at you two,” she gushes, turning to Kayla and me. “dressing to match. Cutie pies!” She pats my cheek, and I’m about to throw up. Cutie pies ?
Kayla winks back. “We’re trying.” I feel betrayed.
“Well, good for you. Happy you two finally got together; you made me a lot of money! That pool was intense!” She laughs as she waves, leaving us with our mouths hanging open.
“There was a pool about us? Besides my mom’s bet?” I ask no one in particular.
“There was,” answers Alicia, appearing next to us.
She’s dressed in the iconic white Princess Leia costume.
I haven’t seen my sister in anything but sweatpants for a long time; this ridiculous outfit is the best thing she could possibly have picked today.
My heart swells in my chest, and I swallow a huge lump in my throat.
“I feel left out for not participating. Should have thrown my money in too.” She smiles, and there’s a little sliver of the smile she had before .
“Figures. Small towns and bored folks.” Kayla rolls her eyes, and I give her a kiss on her cheek.
“That, and you were both kind of funny with all your mutual growling and chemistry. Oof.” She dramatically fans herself with her hand. “I gotta write a book about you.”
“Stop right there,” I groan. “That’s just gross.”
She only laughs, then turns to address Freya. “I wanted to ask you something about the center. Can we have a quick chat later?”
Freya throws me a curious look and answers, “Sure! Anytime.” Then she picks up two glasses from the table filled with something that looks like mimosas and passes them to Kayla and Alicia.
“Cool,” Alicia answers with a genuine smile.
She looks relaxed, not cornered like she usually does with a lot of people besides her family in the room.
“By the way, Mrs. Jenkins moved in with her daughter, and I rented out her place,” Alicia announces proudly just as Kayla takes a sip of her drink—she spits it out once Alicia’s words register.
Her eyes bulge as she tries to cough the remaining liquid out.
She looks at Alicia with shocked eyes and swallows nervously.
What is happening? What did I miss?