50. Laney
“I want to show you something,” Reed says.
Cade and I have filled both Reed and Darius in on the conversation we had. They both needed to know, so we’re all aware of things to look out for regarding Cade. He doesn’t want to be taken care of, but that’s what we’ll do, if necessary. We’re a family, and families watch out for each other.
“What is it?” I ask.
He hands me a brochure, and I frown down at it.
On the front is a cabin, only it’s nothing like the one we lived in after the crash.
This one is worth almost five million dollars, according to the brochure, and has five bedrooms, a home cinema, and a pool.
It’s also set within twenty acres of forest and has its own lake.
“It’s beautiful,” I say, flicking through the pages. I take in the real hardwood floors, the full-length panoramic windows, the huge bedrooms with attached bathrooms and dressing rooms.
“It’s ours,” he replies, “if you want it.”
My jaw drops. “You bought it?”
“I’ve put an offer in, yes, but if you say it’s not right for you, then I’ll pull out.
It’s far away from any other neighbors. The land is private, so no one can come on it without our permission.
I know it’s not exactly roughing it, like we did at the cabin, but I thought it’s got that same kind of vibe. ”
“Where is it?”
I ask the question, but honestly, I don’t even care. I’ll go wherever they are.
“A place called Hocking Hills in Ohio.”
“Sounds perfect,” I say. “What about Darius and Cade?”
“They’re up for it,” he says with a smile. “Cade’s better off out of the city, and Darius can still travel when he’s ready to start performing again. It would be the four of us, living as we want to, without having to worry about the judgement of anyone from the outside.”
My eyes fill with tears.
His expression furrows in concern. “Do you hate it?”
“No, I love it. It’s perfect. Can we get a dog? I’ve always wanted a pet.”
He grins. “We can get two dogs, if you want. It’ll be good for you to have something to keep you occupied, other than us.” He throws me a wink.
I also have my writing to keep me busy, but I realize I haven’t told any of them about that.
While I haven’t finished our story yet, I’m over fifty thousand words in, and it’s taking great shape.
I never thought it would be something I’d enjoy, but I’ve loved writing every word—well, maybe not every word.
Some of it has been unbearably painful, but my therapist was right.
I have felt purged of many of the negative feelings I’ve been carrying around for so long.
But it’s not only my story to tell. The guys have all played their part, too, and if anyone other than us is ever going to read it, the men need to know about it and give their consent.
Darius and Cade both come in to the room. Cade draws up short, Darius almost colliding with him.
“What’s going on?” he asks.
“I told Laney about the house.” Reed grins. “She loves it.”
“That’s fantastic news,” Dax says.
Cade takes a step forward and scoops me up, swinging me around. “The best news.”
I laugh and smack him on the shoulder to put me down. Before we can all more forward, I have a confession to make.
“I—I have something to tell you.” Nerves swim inside my stomach. How will they take this? Will Reed be angry that I’ve written everything down? Will Cade hate how I’ve portrayed him? Will I have made Darius seem weak in any way because of his sight loss when he’s anything but?
“What is it?” Reed asks.
“I will have a way to occupy myself,” I admit. “I’ve been writing our story.”
Darius’s brow furrows. “What do you mean?”
“It started as a project my therapist encouraged me to do, to write down what happened to me—to us . So, I started at the point where I found my mother’s body and have been writing down everything that happened from there.
Don’t worry, I changed all our names and some other details so it’s not so obviously us.
” I hesitate, and then add, “The thing is that I think it’s good.
I might even be able to get it published one day, but obviously I wouldn’t even think about it if you thought that was a bad idea, and I’d publish in a pen name, too.
” I’m getting ahead of myself. “That’s even if anyone wants to publish it. ”
Reed takes my hands. “Laney, I think that’s an amazing idea.”
I’m bursting with happiness. “You do? I’ve so enjoyed writing it. I never thought I would. I might even start a new story, once I’ve finished this one. A completely fictional one next time, of course. I don’t think a story like ours ever happens twice in one lifetime.”
“You’re right, Laney,” Dax says.
Cade nods in agreement. “A love like ours only happens once in a lifetime.”