Page 144 of The Jack*ss in Class

“I’m... adjusting to the idea of you moving to LA to be a writer,” she said carefully. “But I cannot deny that yourwriting brings joy to others. Or that it clearly fulfills you in a way that any other career would not.” She took a deep breath. “And yes, I will even admit that young man cares for you deeply. Even if his career involves an unnecessary amount of physical violence and likely TBIs.”

Coming from my mother, this was practically a blessing.

“Thank you, Mamá,” I said softly.

As she walked away, Freddie let out a low whistle. “Did that really just happen? Did Mamá actually support everyone’s life choices in a single conversation?”

“I think Abuela slipped something into her drink,” Ophelia stage whispered.

“I heard that,” Mamá called over her shoulder, but there was a hint of amusement in her voice that made us all exchange surprised glances.

“Hey, can I come visit you guys?” Freddie asked. “LA has a great queer scene, and I need to scope it out before the Olympic trials.”

“I’m coming too,” Abuela announced, appearing beside our table with the dramatic timing she’d perfected over decades in telenovelas. “You know Los Angeles is where you’re Abuelo and I met.” She winked at me. “And someone needs to help you plan all the parties you’ll host for the wives, girlfriends, lovers and partners of the Bandits.”

Abuela loved a party. “I’m counting on it.”

A commotion at the front of the house signaled the arrival of the Kingman contingent. Even from the backyard, I could hear Jules’s excited voice, Declan’s deeplaugh, and the distinctive sound of Bridger Kingman calling for order like he was back on the sidelines.

“Brace yourselves,” I murmured to my sisters. “Kingman family chaos incoming.”

Flynn appeared at the patio door, grinning as he held it open for his family to stream through. Jules immediately made a beeline for Freddie, the two youngest siblings having formed a friendship based on their shared love of causing trouble.

Flynn tugged me away from the crowd, leading me to a quiet corner of the yard near where Burrito was now dozing under a tree, graduation cap askew.

“I can’t believe you didn’t mention your abuelo is Leo Ramirez,” he said.

“I didn’t think you’d care about the other kind of football.”

“He’s a legendary athlete. He and my dad are basically already besties.” He jerked his chin to where the two patriarchs were talking.

It was really nice to see our families blending together like this.

He wrapped his arms around me and nuzzled my ear. He whispered, his voice low and warm in my ear. “Did I tell you how hot I find your whole family rebel turned inspirational speaker thing?”

I laughed, leaning into him. “It feels like I’m finally becoming who I was always meant to be.”

“I like who you’re meant to be,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to my temple.

“Even the parts that write smut about fictional athleteshaving fictional orgasms?” I asked, referencing Rosalind’s earlier jab.

A slow, wicked grin spread across his face. “Especially those parts. Though I do have some notes on technical accuracy for your next book.”

“I bet you do.” I wrapped my arms around his neck, rising on tiptoes to kiss him properly. “Maybe we should schedule a research session once we’re in LA.”

His arms tightened around me. “I’ve already blocked off my entire calendar for the foreseeable future.”

It was a future I could hardly wait for. One where I got to write the best kind of happy ever after. My own.

EPILOGUE – WHAT STRENGTH I HAVE’S MINE OWN

TEMPEST

The September morning sunlight streamed through the kitchen windows of our Woodland Hills home, casting golden patterns across the granite countertops. Flynn stood at the stove, flipping pancakes with the same intense concentration he brought to studying play sheets. He wore nothing but sweatpants slung low on his hips, his hair still rumpled from sleep, his broad shoulders flexing with each movement.

I’d never get tired of this view.

“Stop staring at my ass and check if my phone is buzzing,” he said without turning around. “Gryff said he had some last-minute adjustments to our ride today.”

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