Chapter 23
My eyes feast on the King’s grand kitchen, seamlessly flowing into the living room. Rustic exposed wooden beams crisscross the lofty ceiling, while a soft ember glows from the brick fireplace, establishing it as the heart of the entire first floor. I can imagine the King brothers gathered in front of it as kids on Christmas morning, laughing and smiling as they open gifts from Santa.
Intricate hallways and doors weave through the space like a labyrinth. Every wall is adorned with family photos, landscape paintings, and travel souvenirs. It’s like stepping into a warm embrace at every turn, with gentle lines and curves creating a welcoming atmosphere. The home exudes affluence without a hint of pretension.
My gaze draws to a charming set of French doors, flanked by towering arched windows leading to the backyard—a place I hold dear. The corner of my lip tugs as I sip my Sauvignon Blanc, imagining a teenage Donovan pulling me through a sea of people, eager to get me alone and away from the chaos.
My eyes flit to Caleb and Grace through the window, grilling steaks and vegetables with Wyatt. I insisted on helping with dinner, but Grace politely declined and told me to just enjoy myself. So here I am, soaking it all in as Logan and Donovan drink wine and laugh loudly on the couch in the living room.
I love seeing their dynamic together. His best friend, his brother from another mother. After losing James, Logan was there for Donovan every day that passed. When Donovan missed a week of school after James died, Logan did, too. Everyone knew them as brothers.
My heart tugs, thinking about my best friend Tia. Logan and Tia ended up at the University of Texas together—they’ve been thick as thieves since freshman orientation. Small town kids stick together. I would hear of their adventures and shenanigans, secretly envious of their freedom.
I’m quietly sipping my wine when a bouncing ball of sunshine plops beside me on a bar stool. “My brother shouldn’t be leaving you here all alone. That makes him a bad host.” Kerry flashes his bright white teeth and nudges his elbow into mine. My eyes flit to Donovan and Logan, talking wildly with their hands. They throw their heads back into hysteria. Kerry turns back to look at them, his eyes rolling at the sight, but not a hint of jealousy when his lips turn up at the corners.
“I swear, those two could crack each other up watching water boil,” Kerry huffs. I snicker into my drink.
“I think it’s cute. They clearly missed each other,” I reply, shrugging my shoulder while taking another sip of wine.
Kerry’s eyes soften when he meets my gaze. “Sure, but not the way he missed you,” he croons.
My cheeks flush with heat, completely enamored by his sweet comment. The Kings wear their emotions on their sleeves. They are fiercely loyal and love hard. It would be a dream to be a part of this family. The more I sit with it, the more I want it to happen. Is it too soon to say that? I wouldn’t mind having Kerry King as my little brother.
“Oh! Wait here,” Kerry says, disappearing down a hallway. He’s back before I have a chance to take another sip of wine, jogging over to me with his tongue sticking out like a golden retriever, holding a black book. I tilt my head curiously as he settles back in on the stool next to me. His smile is contagious, just like Donovan’s. I suddenly realize that I’m beaming like Kerry. Maybe this is the King effect.
He slides the black book in front of me, and my fingers trace the stitching on the bottom.
For our favorite girl, Violet Winthrop.
“I wanted to give it to you sooner, but now that you’re home for good, I thought this was a good time,” he pauses. “You are home for good, right?” he asks sweetly. I glance at Donovan in the living room, his eyes crinkled, dimples on full display. Our eyes meet for a moment, giving me a wink before continuing his conversation with Logan.
I sip my wine, my smile widening against the brim of my glass. “Yeah. I’m home for good,” I reply, my heart squeezing the moment the words leave my lips. Kerry smiles like Donovan, minus the dimples. “Good. Open it,” he beams, leaning on his elbow with his eyes glued to mine.
I place my wineglass down and rake my fingers along the edges of the book. I open the book to see Gran’s sweet smile beaming up at me. It’s the photo that Kerry took of her at Siren’s Flask. Her smile instantly fills my heart. I wish more than anything that she was here with us right now.
Kerry watches me intently, anticipating my reaction. I smile at his expression before pinching the corner of the page to turn.
“Oh my gosh, Kerry,” I gasp, my eyes glistening as I flip through the disposable camera photos from Gran’s happy hour at Sip Savor. Mr. Frommling taking a selfie with Mrs. Dickson. Josie and Wyatt rolling their eyes at each other. Kerry and Jackson posing like it’s their senior prom. Pop making his speech with his arm slung around my shoulder, our eyes wet with tears.
I slip a teary chuckle as I flip through every page, Kerry laughing alongside me. “I love this one,” Kerry says, pointing to a candid picture of Donovan and me staring at each other in passing. My finger traces along our faces.
When I see this picture of us, I see the way my eyes gleam when I look at Donovan. Even when I felt like I was drowning, he was my lighthouse in the middle of a violent storm.
Always was. Always is.
I feel a familiar pair of strong arms wrap around my waist, and the comforting scent of fresh linen floods my senses. I close my eyes and melt into Donovan’s chest, leaning my head back.
“You see, Mouse? I’ve only ever had eyes for you,” he whispers in my ear. Happy tears form when I open my eyes, overwhelmed by his words and this generous gift. I swivel on my stool, pressing a light kiss on Donovan’s lips. I turn my torso toward Kerry, my throat bobbing to keep from crying.
“Kerry, I don’t know what to say. This…This is—” I struggle to find the words. I look at Donovan, who stands by his brother with his hands in his pockets, showing me an irresistible half grin.
“Thank you,” I choke out, the only words I can muster at the gesture. I hop off the stool and wrap my arms around Kerry’s neck, hugging him like the brother I never had. I feel his grief for Gran, too. They loved her like I did. They saw her as I did. Good and pure. Light and love.
“You’re welcome, Audrey,” he whispers.
“Boys, set the table,” Caleb calls out, holding a large tray of sizzling steaks. The smell wafts in my direction, prompting loud grumbles from my stomach. All I’ve eaten today was cinnamon rolls. And Donovan. My arousal grows thinking about the quickie we had just before we left that had me on my knees on his front porch.
“On it, captain!” Kerry shouts, breaking my dirty thoughts.
“I get plates!” Kerry and Donovan shout in unison, running into the kitchen and shoving each other as they race to the plate cabinet. Scattered laughter echoes in the kitchen, and Grace’s eyes widen with concern as she trails behind Caleb.
I can imagine her back in the day, wrangling four rambunctious boys around, delegating who does what and no one listening. But these boys love their mama something fierce. I can see it when they look at her.
“Boys, if either of you breaks my new set, you’re both on dish duty every Sunday!” she shouts, rolling her eyes in annoyance. “Kerry, you do napkins. Donovan gets plates.” Clearly, mama bear gets the last word in this house. Kerry groans loud enough for his mom to glare daggers at him.
Logan and I snicker under our breath, watching Kerry reluctantly grab the napkins from a drawer, trying to slap Donovan in the nuts.
“You would think that my adult children would act more adult,” she teases. I offer to take the grilled vegetables out of her hands and place it on the table.
“Thank you, dear,” she says to me as I relieve her of the plate. “Logan, silverware, please?” she asks. Her eyes flick to the kitchen, and Logan gives her a salute and dives in to help Donovan and Kerry set the table.
“Is there anything else I can do to help?” I ask Grace, feeling totally useless. I know she insisted I just relax, but everyone is putting in their helping hand and I feel like I’m in the way. She opens her mouth to say something when I feel Wyatt’s hand touch my elbow.
“Audrey, help me fill up the water glasses?” he asks with a smirk. I give him a relieving smile as I nod my head. He’s not so grumpy after all.
“Sorry I’m late!” A comforting voice floats in the foyer. My grandfather strides in giving a small wave.
“Noah! You made it. Let me get you a drink.” Caleb gently places the steaks in the middle of the dining table and saunters into the kitchen, pouring Pop a glass of wine.
Pop opens his arms wide and I find myself in his warm embrace. I’ve hugged my grandfather more in the past month than I have in a long time. Each time we hold each other, it’s a promise that no matter what, we won’t let anything come between us. We are all each other has, and I want to make sure he knows I am here to stay.
“Hey, kid. You look great. Beautiful, like your mother,” he coos. His eyes soften as he touches a lock of my hair. I clutch my chest, thinking about my mom and Gran, and how much I wish they could be here with all of us.
“Thanks, Pop.” I say softly, resting my head on his chest. The steady thump of his heart washing over me with peace.
With the table set, everyone settles into their seats, Caleb and Grace at opposite ends. Donovan intertwines his fingers through mine under the table, kissing my shoulder.
“I’m so happy you’re here. It feels complete with you,” he whispers into my ear. I give him a wink and my eyes scan around the table. I notice that there’s an extra placemat next to Logan, and a confused expression splashes across my face. Donovan follows my eyes and sees it too, mirroring me.
“Are we expecting someone else?” Donovan asks, pointing toward the empty placemat. I look at Caleb and Grace, and they keep a tight-lipped expression. Kerry and Wyatt look just as confused as Donovan and I. Logan grins across from me, his eyes fixed on his phone in his lap.
“Logan, you look suspicious,” I grumble, crossing my arms over my chest, tilting my head. He dodges my gaze and puffs out his cheeks to stifle a smile. Pop puts his hand on my back and gives me a reassuring pat.
Am I missing something again?
I jump in my seat when I hear the doorbell ring, and I look at Donovan with lost eyes. Caleb gets up from his chair when Donovan puts a hand up to him. “I’ll get it,” Donovan answers, kissing my hair before turning the corner to the front door.
Logan pinches his brow and starts chuckling, finally meeting my gaze.
“What are you laughing at, Harper?” I scowl, my tone comes out harsher than intended. I don’t enjoy being out of the loop, and with that stunt Logan pulled earlier, I’ve been on edge.
“You didn’t think I’d come back from Austin alone, did you Winthrop?” he drawls. I raise my eyebrow and hear the front door close. Wait.
No way.
I turn in my chair toward the front entrance when Donovan and a familiar face round the corner, both of them smiling from ear to ear.
“Tia?!” I scream, dragging my chair back as I race towards her. I crash into her chest, burying my face into her thick black hair. I peek out behind her and see Donovan’s adoring grin. My heart squeezes realizing that the people I love most are in the same room.
“Did you know about this?!” My voice is high pitched, piercing my own ears. “Mouse, I swear I had no idea!” Donovan puts his hands up in a surrender and shakes his head.
Tia pulls back from our embrace and twirls under my extended arm. Our smiles are too bright to contain. The sun might as well be shining in this house. “Surprise, bitch!” she squeaks, our obnoxious laughter echoing in the foyer.
I prod her playfully in the ribs. “You know I hate surprises! Why would you do this to me?!” She puts her arm around me as we walk toward the table.
“I tried texting and calling, but your number was out of service! I was going to tell you that Logan and I were on our way home, but Logan wanted to surprise D, so here we are.”
I fucked up twice now. First, I forget to tell Tia that I’m home for good, and second, I forget to text her my new number. But Tia never holds a grudge, and she deserves a better friend than the one I’ve been the last couple of years. Now that she’s home, I want there to be no secrets between us. No more time apart and memories wasted.
“Oh my god! How long do I have you for?” I ask, breathless.
“You have me for a whole week! Logan and I head back Saturday morning.” My mouth gapes open, soaking in the reality that my best friend is actually here.
Logan gets up from his chair, lifting Tia off the ground while he shakes her up and down. “Harper and Young, back in Oakwood Valley to fuck shit up!” he jests. Tia slaps Logan’s chest and scolds him. “Language! We are guests here. Jesus, Logan. I’m so sorry, Mr. and Mrs. King,” she mutters, giving them an apologetic smile on behalf of Logan’s sailor mouth.
“Can we please fucking eat because I’m fucking hungry,” Kerry interjects, earning howls of laughter from everyone at the table. Tia rolls her eyes at Kerry and ruffles the top of his head before properly greeting the rest of the family and settling into the seat across from mine.
“Before we dig in, I would like to make a toast,” Caleb announces. Kerry groans while throwing his head back. Wyatt slaps the back of his head, and everyone snorts out a chuckle. Caleb rolls his eyes before continuing.
“It’s been a long time since this table has had almost every seat taken. I look around here, and I’m thankful for every person sitting in this room.” He glances at every person around the table briefly until his eyes land on Donovan. Donovan avoids his father’s eye contact, staring at the plate in front of him. I look back toward Caleb and see his throat constrict, clearing it before finishing his toast.
“Uh, anyway. To family,” he toasts, raising his wineglass in the air.
“To family.” Everyone but Donovan says in unison, raising their glasses and clinking them with one another. His fingers twist the stem of his wineglass before raising it up to cheer those sitting closest to him. I know a real Donovan grin, the kind that makes my insides melt. The grin he’s wearing is not it. It’s forced. Fake.
“Cheers, babe,” I whisper, nudging him lightly with my elbow in hopes of snapping him out of his funk. He looks at me and his grin comes back. Just for me. There goes my insides.
“Cheers, Mouse,” he whispers back, kissing me on the lips before clinking our glasses together.
“Well, aren’t you two just the cutest thing?” Logan teases, flashing his crooked grin while cutting into his steak. Tia quirks her brow as she forks a piece of asparagus into her mouth, stifling a smile. Grace glances at Donovan and me with a smirk on her face. My cheeks can’t get any more red than they already are with all of this attention on us.
“He’s right, you two are adorable,” Grace croons, pointing her wineglass towards us before taking a sip.
Pop finishes chewing a piece of steak before he chimes in. “You know, Audrey used to just blush over Donovan in high school, and?—”
“Pop! Can we not, please?” I interrupt, my face flaming hotter than before. Pop heaves a hearty chuckle, wiping his mouth with his napkin. Scattered giggles erupt around the table as I playfully poke my comedian of a grandfather in his rib. Donovan quirks his eyebrow up at me, those damn dimples making it hard for me to feel embarrassed. He winks before kissing me on the cheek.
Everyone I love is here. If you told me a month ago this would be my reality, I never would have believed it.
Donovan rescuing me from that frigid, loveless prison was the best thing that ever happened to me. He helped me break the chains that clung to every part of me. Day by day, the weight of it all is less and less. And now? I’m free, surrounded by warmth and light and so much love I don’t know where to put it all.
I’ll probably put it in, on, and under Donovan…later tonight.