Chapter 33 #2
“You have a gift, Sloany. Helping others is our calling. If you live the life meant for you, with the people fate has brought into your life, everything will be all right. I’m so proud of you.
The last year was hard, and you made it through all on your own.
I’m still so glad you don’t have to anymore.
Stop worrying and wanting to run. You’re on the right path. ”
I nod slowly, absorbing her words. I’ve let fear hold me back.
Not anymore.
She’s fading. Our time is up, and it’s like I am losing her all over again. But this time, I’m going to be strong like she wants me to be.
“Thank you for showing up.” I try to put in words how thankful I am, my voice choked with tears, but there is nothing I can say to let her know.
“I’m only a whisper away, even if it takes me a while to get here. I always hear you.”
“I’m sorry for yelling at you,” I reply, feeling sheepish now.
She chuckles softly. “I love you, Sloany.”
“I love you more,” I whisper back, watching as her presence fades, leaving me in the quiet of my van.
I take a deep breath once more before I get in the driver’s seat, buckle up, and start the engine. Driving back to the Jones’ house, my house, a little bit of excitement seeps back into my heart.
I’m driving home to where I’m supposed to be.
As I pull into the driveway, my gaze instinctively finds North, who stands in the doorway with a relaxed ease, leaning against the frame, his arms folded.
Despite his casual stance, a crease of concern furrows his brow.
Clutching my bag, filled with essentials for the night I had packed earlier, I glance around the van and murmur softly, “Thank you, old girl.”
North’s voice, tinged with a subtle note of anxiety, breaks the silence as I step out and approach him. “You okay?” he inquires. “You were gone a while.”
I offer a half-teasing, half-serious retort, “What? Thought I’d run off and not come back?”
He shakes his head, a sincere softness in his voice. “No, you promised, and I’m holding onto the hope that our promises mean something now,” he responds.
Nodding, I admit, “I’ll just need my bag for tonight. I’m gonna bring the rest in tomorrow. I’m just too drained right now.”
He takes the bag from my grasp and puts the strap over his shoulder. “Let’s get you settled in then,” he suggests, his hand lightly touching my back, guiding me through the doorway.
As we walk down the quiet hallway, curiosity nudges me to ask, “Where’s everyone else?”
“They’re out, hunting for our dinner,” he admits sheepishly. “I might have fucked up the casserole.” I catch a glimpse of a faint blush coloring his cheeks as I turn to face him in front of my room.
“Oh my God, now that you mention it, there is a hint of burnt smell here.” I chuckle, teasing him.
His eyes narrow, but a smile dances on his lips. “Yeah, let’s not dwell on that,” he jests, nudging me toward my room.
I open the door, and for a moment, I’m taken aback. I hadn’t given much thought about it today, expecting nothing more than the previously impersonal guest room.
But it’s not anymore.
My eyes widen in surprise as I take in the changes. Shelves now adorn the wall, brimming with books and Switch games. On the desk sits a potted herb. Pineapple weed. It’s now a familiar scent, subtly perfuming the air and making me think of Nash.
Beside it sits a beautiful blue notebook and a shiny new laptop. The room radiates warmth with its earthy tones, echoing the cozy interior of my van. The bed has new sheets, extra pillows, and a fuzzy blanket. Seascape pictures, likely Saylor’s work, add a touch of beauty to the walls.
“What… oh my God.” I gasp, my voice a mix of awe and disbelief. My fingers brush against the soft fabric of the bed covers, tracing the fabric. Above the bed, fairy lights twinkle gently against the wall, and a sleek, modern radio stands beside it.
“That’s… you did all this for me?” I ask, turning to face him, my heart swelling with mixed emotions.
“This is your home now, your room,” North reassures me, his voice earnest and warm.
“I wanted to make sure you never feel like just a guest again. I tried to make it as cozy as possible, but there’s room for your personal touch.
We can go out anytime to add things you want.
I didn’t want to overdo it, considering you have your own things.
But you can spread them in the rest of the house too if you want.
It’s yours as much as ours. We all want you to feel comfortable here. ”
“I…” Words fail me. It hits me that he’s put so much thought and effort into making this space mine. As I look around, it dawns on me how well he knows me, even though I thought he didn’t, and how every detail reflects what I like and my style.
As I continue to scan the room, my eyes land on a picture frame resting on the other nightstand. Leaning in, I recognize the photo of all the Jones boys that used to be on the living room’s fireplace.
“Nash was so happy I took it down.” North chuckles, a playful glint in his eyes that sends a flutter through my heart. “Can’t wait to see his reaction when he finds it here.”
My mind is numb. I don’t even know how to react to all of this.
I love it so much.
North steps closer, his hands finding my hips, pulling me gently toward him. “Do you like it? I can’t really tell. We can change anything you don’t—”
I cut him off with a quick, impulsive kiss, leaving him momentarily stunned. As he gazes at me in surprise, I can’t help but snicker.
I take the bag from him, turning to place it near the closet. “I love it… all of it,” I assure him. “Though, you shouldn’t have splurged on the radio and new laptop. I already have one.”
“One that was practically begging for retirement,” he mumbles, coming to stand beside me. “But the laptop and notebook aren’t from me. Hunter thought you could use it for your business plan for the shop.”
I pause, the gravity of their support hitting me.
They’ve given me a home and the means to start my dream.
I turn to North. “Are you really okay with me opening a shop in your old building?”
“I’m more than okay. I think it’s a fantastic idea.
And I’d love to help,” he offers, his eyes sincere.
“I might not be the best to help with turning the space into a shop.” I look over his shoulder at the picture of a lighthouse with a sunset in the back that hangs there more than a little crooked, and I have to suppress a smile.
“But I’m pretty good with numbers, calculations, legal stuff. ”
“Thank you, that would be amazing,” I reply, genuinely grateful.
This is all a little too much, so I bend to unpack my clothes and open the closet, only to find it already full. I let out a surprised, “Oh,” assuming it’s someone else’s leftovers.
North laughs, moving closer behind me. “This is all for you.”
I turn to him, puzzled. “For me?”
“Yeah, I went shopping for you. If there’s anything you don’t like, we can return it. I just thought you needed more than the few things you had, especially warmer clothes, even if you have a washing machine now,” he teases, smiling.
Where are all these smiles coming from lately?
They’re killing me.
“I…” Again, I’m at a loss for words. My fingers brush over the new clothes, a mix of emotions swirling inside me. “This is too much, North.”
“Nothing’s too much for you,” he whispers, his breath warm against my ear. His closeness is intoxicating.
I want to protest, but fuck, those sweaters are so soft and look so warm.
Trying to navigate the whirlwind of emotions inside me, I deflect them with a touch of humor.
“Funny, there’s nothing blue in here. I thought you’d at least get something, considering you still call me that, even though you haven’t seen my overalls in weeks. ”
I pretend to dislike his nickname for me, but secretly, it’s grown on me.
Turning to face him, I’m met with his scrunched-up nose. “Ah, yes, those delightful overalls,” he teases, prompting a burst of laughter from me. “I’m not calling you Blue because of that.” North smirks, and I can’t help but frown at him.
Such a little liar.
“You totally are. You even glanced at them when you first called me that,” I protest.
I know what I saw.
He chuckles softly, his hand gently brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “You’re quite perceptive about how I look at you,” he notes, and I feel myself blush.
Fuck.
His hand cups my cheek, thumb caressing it. “No, I was looking at a uniquely beautiful woman who was as frustrating as she was intriguing.”
I’m momentarily breathless under his touch. “But why Blue then?”
“Ever heard of blue lobsters?” he asks, his voice low and gentle.
I shake my head, puzzled.
Is he comparing me to a shellfish?
“Blue lobsters are rare. They’re special, valuable, and so damn beautiful.” His gaze drifts from my eyes to my lips. “You’re one in two million, Sloan.”
If my heart was racing before, now it feels like it skipped a beat.
Then he leans down and kisses me tenderly, his other hand cradling my face. My hands find his hips, pulling him closer, and he smiles against my lips. The kiss is sweet, filled with unspoken emotions that weakens my knees. When he pulls away, his thumb resumes its gentle caress.
“Get some rest,” he whispers soothingly. “The others are going to be back with food soon.”
Nodding, still overwhelmed by his words, I watch him leave, closing the door behind him but not without giving me one last smile.
I sink onto the edge of the bed, trying to process the whirlwind of emotions.
Thinking about my first time in this room, I remember how North seemed barely able to tolerate me yet unwilling to let me out of his sight. Perhaps he was telling the truth, and he was as intrigued by me as I was by him but didn’t want to show it.
Now, enveloped in the sense of belonging that this house and these men give me, I feel a deep peace settling over me.
Despite everything, I know I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.
With a deep sigh, I let the day’s weariness wash over me, ready to face whatever comes next, comforted by the realization that I’m no longer facing all of it alone.