Chapter 30
Auggie
Ikeep pinching myself. Every day.
In a few short months, I’ve gone from hapless and directionless into a job I love with a boyfriend I can’t get enough of.
Leon is exactly how I would have described my dream boyfriend and then so much more that I didn’t even know I wanted.
He’s openly affectionate, always. He doesn’t hold back from showing how attracted he is to me.
He’s patient when I mess up and helps guide me to find solutions at work rather than throwing the answers at me.
He’s a terrible cook and tries anyway, and always messages me just to check in.
Like today. I’ve been in Portland all day, filling my parents in on my plan and trying to make my dad understand. He’s still not convinced this is the best choice for me, but he’s promised he’ll be supportive if it’s what I’m set on.
I crane my neck to see over the crowds of people at the Pumpkin Pride Festival. All of O’Connell Road is blocked off, and it reminds me of the Summer Nights Festival a few months ago where I officially met Leon for the first time.
There’s the smell of pumpkin spice and apple cider on the air, and the sky is streaked the same bright orange as the pumpkins decorating every surface.
My face is split with a smile that seems to be permanent these days, but it’s moments like now, when all of Sunbury comes alive and I’m reminded of why I love it here so much, that fill me with the kind of happiness I’ve been searching for.
Leon lifts a hand and waves to me as a couple of people approach him. They look sort of familiar, but it takes me a moment to remember their names.
Rafe and Laura.
Leon’s mentioned them a few times, but I haven’t had a chance to meet them yet because of something that went down between Rafe and Tanner long before I came around.
Rafe embraces Leon as I approach, and my eyes narrow a little when the hug drags out for slightly longer than feels natural.
Leon pats Rafe’s broad back, and a simmer of possessiveness boils over me.
“So where’s this boyfriend?” Rafe asks.
I step forward and raise my hand. “Boyfriend here. And if you like all those fingers intact, you should probably stop groping Leon.”
Rafe turns and looks me over, and whoa, I did not realize the guy was so good-looking. He has nothing on Leon, but I like them big and rough. No, Rafe is all broad shoulders and straight nose and square jaw, with eyes that are hard to look away from.
I swallow roughly as Rafe looks me over.
“Not your usual type.” His voice is teasing as he nudges Leon.
“Clearly Leon’s usual type wasn’t the type for him,” I grumble. There’s a reason he’s never been official with anyone before me.
Leon loops his arm around my shoulders and pulls me close enough to press a kiss to my hair. Like that, all is forgiven.
“You’re so cute when you’re pretending to be jealous and stabby,” he whispers.
I blink up at him innocently. “Who said anything about pretending?”
“I’m more than happy to remind you of the little punishment from last time, if you like.”
“Where you took me home and fucked me right after? We need to take a look at your definition of the word ‘punishment.’”
Rafe laughs. “You two aren’t being anywhere near as quiet as you think you are.”
“Funny, I wasn’t trying to be quiet at all.” My gaze shifts to Laura, and Rafe slaps his forehead.
“Sorry, Auggie. I’m Rafe, and this is my—” He clears his throat. “Laura.”
That was weird. Laura must have picked up on it too because something behind her eyes darkens as she shakes my hand.
Thankfully, Circus picks that moment to show up, and he throws his arms around me and Leon. “Guys, come on. Rowan and Bart are doing a dunk tank, and no one has gotten them in yet.”
Bart? Dunk tank? “Lead the way.”
Leon grabs my arm. “Slow down there, killer.” He nods at Circus. “We’ll catch up.”
The others leave us to it, and Leon steps forward to wrap his arms around my waist. “How did you do in Portland?”
“Fine.” I sigh and nuzzle into him. “Dad finally realizes I’m not coming back, so that’s progress.”
“It is. I’m proud of you for standing up for yourself.”
His compliment makes my heart zing. “How proud would you say? Like, on a scale of you-did-okay to I’m-going-to-find-fan-leaves-and-worship-you, where would you say you sit?”
He pretends to consider the question. “I’d say I’m somewhere around the every-day-you-make-me-fall-more-in-love-with-you-than-ever level.”
“Umm, what?” I blink up at him, not sure I heard the words correctly.
His lips curl up behind his beard. “I love you.”
“You love me?”
“Beyond reason.”
My heart gives a fluttery twist. “You? Love me?”
“Is this a stalling tactic to stop from saying it back, or are you genuinely confused?”
I jump him. Like a bunny, I launch from the ground, and Leon catches me under the ass like we’ve done a hundred times before. “You love me.”
“We’ve covered that.”
“You.” I kiss him. “Love me.” I kiss him again. Because I can. Because he loves me.
“You know, it would be really interesting to hear your thoughts on the topic,” he says dryly.
I wriggle in his arms, knowing what he wants to hear, and knowing it’s been a while since I’ve been ready to say it. “I love that you love me.”
“Little shit.” He starts to tickle my ribs and almost drops me as I squirm about.
“Okay, okay! I …” Our eyes clash. “… think you have something in your beard.”
Leon pinches my ass as I start to laugh again. “Nope. I take it back. All the love stuff, gone.”
“Too late, no refunds.”
“You’re a pain in my ass.”
“A pain who you love.”
“God help me.”
“There’s no helping you.” I press into his chest. “Because you’re in lurve.”
He watches me steadily, and I can see it. The love. The way he looks at me like I’m the most precious thing in the world sends shivers up my spine.
“So I guess there’s no helping me either,” I murmur.
“And why’s that?”
I lean into the hand he rests against my face. “Because I love you. So much. And it’s scary and amazing and sometimes gives me heartburn because of how much.”
“Heartburn?”
“Yeah. Literally, I think. It’s causing an ulcer.”
His lips pinch. “Well, this was romantic.”
“Was it supposed to be?”
Leon gestures at the idyllic setting around us. “Was kinda hoping. The whole met at a festival, tell you I love you at a festival …”
I grin guiltily, even though I don’t feel guilty at all. I feel happy. Free. “To be fair, you should be used to me ruining things by now.”
“Ruining?” He shakes his head. “I prefer to call it unconventional enhancements.”
“Oh fancy. Next time I break the brand-new kitchen window, I’ll remind you I’m enhancing.”
“Next time?” he asks warily.
“I’m just saying, we can’t rule it out.”
Leon’s warm hum wraps around me, and we start walking down to where the entertainment has been set up. It looks like someone has dunked Rowan if his sopping hair is anything to go by, and as I watch, Piper grabs a small pumpkin and hits Bart’s target, making him disappear under the water as well.
I’m about to suggest we head over to Rafe for one of the pastries he’s selling when I catch sight of him. He disappears behind the line of booths, following the nurse I met the day I got injured.
What was his name …?
… Cam?
My concentration is broken when Leon kisses me, and I forget about everything else except for this amazingly perfect man I get to call my own.
The sounds of laughter and conversation wrap around me, Leon’s scent fills my nose, and every few minutes, familiar faces pass by and offer greetings and warm looks.
I breathe in the atmosphere and snuggle into Leon even tighter.
For the first time in my life, I belong.
I’m home.