Chapter 45
WREN
“Wrennie.”
“Wren, wake up.”
My eyes fluttered open at the familiar voice. I was absolutely exhausted, probably could’ve slept a few more hours, but when I saw her face, I shot up.
I threw my arms around my cousin, who was sitting on my bed next to me.
She hugged me back tightly. “Good morning, Callahan. You have some explaining to do.” She pulled back with the biggest smile on her face.
I huffed out a breath, which was probably inconsiderate since I hadn’t brushed my teeth. I asked softly, “Can I tell you everything?”
I spoke softly just in case someone was eavesdropping.
I told her about how, after the party, we kissed.
How I asked him to take me for a drive and told him absolutely everything.
I told her how Harps reacted. I told her in great detail about how he fucked me and praised me.
She had to listen to me explain how Cam handled it. Then I told her about last night.
“Le, he is so good to me. I asked him to fuck me like he hated me,” she gasped, “and he did it. Afterwards, he made sure I was okay and asked if I needed anything. We talked until both of us fell asleep. I accepted a commission again, Le. Cliche, but he is my muse. I am so in love with him. I think I have been for years.” When I stopped looking at my hands and looked back at my cousin, I noticed she was crying.
“Fuck, what?” I grabbed her hand.
Her voice was soft, “Wren, it’s been years since you painted. He makes you so happy that you picked up a brush again. You never thought you would do that, said it was ruined for you. He didn’t even tell you to do it. You did it for yourself because you are happy.”
She sniffed back more tears, then continued, “Watching you go through all the shit you went through was scary. It broke my heart to see you lose so many pieces of yourself. I was always going to be here for you, but I was worried I would never be able to make you as happy as you used to be. I feel like I can finally breathe because you’re happier than you have ever been. I can see it on your face.”
Now we were both crying. “Thank you for looking after me all these years Lena. I will always need you.”
She wrapped me in another hug, then stood up, carefully drying her tears in order not to smudge her makeup.
Le cleared her throat, “I should go help set up breakfast.” She headed for the door and turned around, “You may want to put on a shirt before you join us.”
I looked down and realized my tits were out. I gasped, pulling up a blanket to cover my bare breasts. “Fuck, you could’ve said something sooner!”
She laughed while closing the door on the way out.
There was something weirdly domestic about the five of us crammed around the kitchen table, passing around a plate of toast like it was some sacred offering.
Cam had made scrambled eggs—surprisingly edible—and Harper showed up with a box of bakery muffins like she had promised. There was fresh fruit and miscellaneous drinks. Honestly, they brought enough snacks to last a day or two.
The air still held traces of awkward tension, but there was something easy about it too, like this version of us had been happening for a while. Not new, just unspoken.
Reed sat close beside me, his thigh pressed against mine under the table like he didn’t care who noticed. He hadn’t moved much since I leaned into him. His hand was on my knee now, warm and steady like an anchor.
I caught Harper watching us and smirking to herself. She would look and then look away quickly.
Cam was uncharacteristically quiet as he chewed on a piece of toast, his eyes darting to Harper every few minutes when he thought no one was paying attention. Subtle. Kind of. But I wasn’t the only one who noticed.
Reed leaned toward me and whispered, “He’s so obvious.”
I smothered a laugh in my mug. “Please. Like you weren’t five seconds away from staking your claim the second I walked in.”
“I did stake my claim.”
I blushed. Damn him.
Lena shifted next to me, letting me know she could hear what he said. I laughed to myself, maybe I told her too much.
Across the table, Harper and Cam were already back at it—bickering over who took the last blueberry muffin like it was life or death.
“You had two,” Harper accused, pointing a finger at him.
“They were small,” Cam countered.
“So is your self-control.”
“Oh, that’s rich coming from someone who showed up in pajamas.”
Harper gasped, clearly delighted. “You wish you could pull this outfit off.”
Cam muttered something under his breath that sounded dangerously close to agreement.
Reed nudged me under the table. “What do you think—two weeks before he caves?”
I grinned. “A week. Tops.”
He kissed my temple, and somehow, breakfast didn’t feel awkward anymore.
Just ours.
After breakfast, we all sort of fell into an unspoken rhythm—dishes being washed, leftovers wrapped up, the kind of easy coordination that only happens when you know your people.
Harper bumped her hip against mine while we wiped down the counters. “Go get ready, sleepy girl. You’ve got serious bedhead, and I know you’re not going out like that.”
I rolled my eyes but smiled, tossing the dish towel onto the counter. “Fine, but you’re both coming with me.”
“Obviously,” they said in unison.
They trailed behind me down the short hall into my room, flopping onto my bed like we were teenagers again and nothing had changed. Except everything had. My chest ached a little at the thought.
I stood in front of the mirror and put in a little effort—just some tinted balm, a touch of blush dusted across my cheeks and the bridge of my nose.
Enough to give me a glow, not enough to hide the freckles I never had the energy to cover anyway.
I pulled half my hair up with a claw clip, the rest falling in soft waves over my shoulders.
“You’re going full hot casual, huh?” Harper smirked from behind me, arms crossed. “Power move.”
Lena laughed, “I would say more of a relaxed sexy look, but either works, I suppose.”
I snorted, “You guys are ridiculous. Will one of you please pick an outfit for me?”
“Say less,” Harper responded quickly.
She made a beeline for my closet and came back with a pair of jean shorts and one of my favorite band tees, the fabric worn in just right.
“Cute and comfy!” she declared.
I put on my outfit and checked the mirror. It looked like I hadn’t tried too hard, but still gave enough effort to be noticed. I grabbed my black Vans, sliding them on as Lena watched me with a little smirk.
“What?” I asked.
She shook her head, amused. “Nothing. You’re just… glowing or something. Looks good on you.”
I didn’t say anything, but I caught my reflection one more time—and yeah. Maybe she was right.
Harper looked at me for a long moment, then smiled. “You deserve the kind of love my brother will give you. I am so happy you’re finally happy, Callahan.”
“I am, too,” I nodded. “Thank you, Harps.”
“Alright, let’s go before they think we’re braiding each other’s hair or plotting world domination.” Lena clapped her hands and headed for the door.
“Both things we’ve done before,” I muttered, grabbing my phone and heading out with Harper close behind me.