21. Alex
21
ALEX
T he night seems different, lighter somehow, like we've all dropped the baggage we've been lugging around for years. We're all sprawled out in Bianca's living room, talking and laughing. It's as if we're all starting over fresh.
Bianca looks at us, a soft smile playing on her lips. "You guys should stay over," she suggests, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
I glance at her bed and then back at her. "Bia, you seriously expect us all to fit on that tiny thing? I'm buying you a new one tomorrow."
She bursts into laughter, and the sound is infectious. Liam and James chuckle along with her.
"Okay, okay," she says, holding up her hands in surrender. "Let's make a giant fort in the living room instead."
James raises an eyebrow but smirks. "A fort? Really?"
"Got any better ideas?" she challenges, hands on her hips.
Liam shakes his head, grinning. "I'm game."
I stretch out on the floor, already imagining the chaos of pillows and blankets. "Alright, let's do this. But don't blame me if it ends up looking like a disaster zone.
James smirks, leaning back against the couch. "A disaster zone? Shocking. And here I thought you were Mr. Perfect."
"Perfectly chaotic," I shoot back, grabbing a pillow and tossing it at him.
He catches it effortlessly, chuckling. "Let's see how you handle building this fort then, Mr. Chaos."
Bianca grins and starts dragging out every blanket and pillow she can find. "Alright, boys, let's see some action."
We dive in, tossing blankets over furniture and stacking pillows like we're kids again. The room transforms into a chaotic yet somehow cozy fort. It's ridiculous and perfect.
Liam looks around at our creation, nodding in approval. "Not bad for a disaster zone."
Bianca claps her hands together, clearly pleased with our efforts. "Now this is more like it!"
We all crawl into the fort, the world outside disappearing as we settle into our own little sanctuary of blankets and pillows.
Bianca curls up next to me, her warmth seeping through my shirt. "This was a great idea," she says softly.
I glance around at Liam and James, both looking more relaxed than I've seen them in ages. "Yeah," I agree. "It really was."
James stretches out beside us, a content smile on his face. "Feels like old times."
"Better than old times," Liam adds quietly.
We all fall silent for a moment, the weight of the past lifting off our shoulders just a bit more.
Bianca breaks the silence with a yawn. "I'm beat."
I wrap an arm around her, pulling her close. "Then let's get some sleep," I say softly.
"This seems so ... right," she murmurs.
James stretches out beside her. "Guess we're all tucked in now."
Liam looks at Bianca sandwiched between me and James, and eyes the couch with skepticism. "I'm not spooning one of you guys," he declares, grabbing a throw pillow and settling into his makeshift bed.
"Suit yourself," I say, nudging Bianca playfully. "More room for us."
Liam rolls his eyes but doesn’t argue. Instead, he reaches over and runs his fingers through Bianca's braids. She sighs contentedly, her eyes fluttering shut.
Bianca shifts slightly, turning to look at Liam. "Are you really comfortable on that couch?"
He shrugs. "I've slept in worse places."
She reaches out and touches his arm lightly. "You sure?"
"I'm fine," he assures her, a hint of warmth in his usually cool demeanor.
"Goodnight," I whisper, wrapping my arm around her waist.
She shifts to face me, eyes half-closed with sleepiness but full of contentment. "Goodnight, Alex."
Liam and James murmur their goodnights too as we all settle down into a comfortable silence. For the first time in years, it's as if we're exactly where we belong.
As I drift off to sleep with Bianca nestled between us and Liam's light snores filling the room, I can't help but think that maybe this is just the beginning of something even better than before.
A loud knocking jolts me awake. I rub my eyes and slip out of the blanket fort, careful not to disturb the others. Bianca's curled up against James, her hand gripping Liam's arm like a lifeline. The sight makes me smile.
I head to the door, expecting a neighbor or something. But when I open it, I'm greeted by a woman that looks exactly like Bia, but older.
The woman's eyes widen as she takes in the scene behind me. She opens her mouth, but no words come out. Her gaze darts from me to the blanket fort sprawled across the living room floor.
"Mom?" Bianca's voice comes from behind me, and I turn just in time as Bia stops short.
Her mother finally finds her voice. "Bianca, what is going on here?"
I step aside, letting Bianca face her mother. The tension in the air is thick enough to cut with a knife.
"Mom, I can explain," Bianca starts, stepping forward. But her mothers eyes blaze with something fierce.
"Explain? There's nothing to explain," her mother retorts, voice cutting through the room like a knife. "I'm so damn ashamed of you, Bianca."
I watch Bianca's shoulders tense, her hands balling into fists at her sides. "Ashamed? Because I'm happy? Because I'm living my life the way I want to?"
Her mothers face hardens. "This isn’t living. It’s... it’s debauchery. This isn’t how I raised you."
"Yes, it is." Bianca's voice rises, indignant. "You raised me to be strong and independent. And that’s exactly what I’m doing. I’m making my own choices."
Her mother scoffs, shaking her head. "Sleeping around with three men? That’s not a choice; that’s a disgrace."
My stomach twists as I stand off to the side, unsure of what to do or say. This is between them, but I can't just leave Bianca here alone either.
I can't ignore the hurt in Bianca's eyes as she fights back tears. She shakes her head vehemently. "No, Mom. You’re wrong. This isn’t some fling or phase. They mean something to me."
Her mother crosses her arms, resolute. "You need to end this now before you ruin your life."
Bianca clenches her jaw, taking a deep breath before speaking again. "I'm not ending anything. You may not understand it or approve of it, but this is my life and my decision."
Her mothers lips press into a thin line as she turns towards the door. "Then you’ve made your choice." She yanks the door open.
"Mom, wait!" Bianca reaches out but stops short when her mother whirls around.
"No more waiting, Bianca." Her voice softens for just a moment before hardening again. "Goodbye."
Her mother storms out, leaving Bianca standing there with her hand still outstretched and a look of devastation on her face.
Bianca’s face crumples, and she breaks down crying. Her sobs come in waves, shaking her entire frame. I step forward and pull her into my arms as she falls apart, her shoulders heaving and breath hitching. Her tears soak through my shirt, but I don’t care. All that matters is holding her together when she's falling apart.
“Bia, it’s okay,” I murmur into her hair. “You’re okay.”
Her hands clutch at my back, desperate and trembling. “She hates me, Alex,” she chokes out between sobs. “She’ll never understand.”
I tighten my hold on her, the raw pain radiating from every part of her body. “She doesn’t hate you,” I say firmly. “She just needs time.”
Bianca shakes her head against my chest. “No, you didn’t see her face. She looked at me like I was a stranger.”
“Bia,” I say softly but with a firmness that demands her attention. She lifts her head to look at me, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Your mom’s set in her ways. It doesn’t mean she won’t come around eventually.”
Her eyes search mine for some kind of reassurance, and I can see the fear and hurt swimming in them. “What if she doesn’t?”
“Then that’s on her,” I reply. “Not you.”
She lets out a shaky breath and buries her face in my chest again, holding onto me like I'm a lifeline in a stormy sea.
Liam and James stir behind us, clearly torn between giving us space and wanting to offer their own comfort.
James steps closer, his voice gentle but firm. “Bia, we’re here for you,” he says. “All of us.”
Liam nods in agreement. “We’ve got your back, no matter what.”
Bianca’s sobs gradually subside into quiet sniffles as she takes deep breaths, trying to calm herself down. She pulls back slightly to look at all of us, wiping her tear-streaked face with the back of her hand.
“I don’t know what I’d do without you guys,” she whispers.
I look down at Bianca, her tear-streaked face still wet but calmer now. "Without us, you'd be bored with one man for the rest of your life, and probably having mediocre sex."
She lets out a small laugh despite herself, the sound like a balm to my ears. "You do have a point," she says, her lips curling into a smile.
Liam and James both chime in, their laughter filling the room. "You're such an idiot," Liam says, shaking his head.
James grins, shaking his head. "Always one to lighten the mood, huh?"
I shrug nonchalantly. "Someone's gotta do it."
Bianca wipes her eyes with the back of her hand. Despite the joke, it’s obvious she’s still upset. Tears stream down her face, and I hate the way those tears make me feel.
A pit slowly forms in my stomach. I do my best to ignore it, but the feeling only gets worse.
Fuck.