Page 124 of Book Boyfriends
“What happens now?” Owen turns.
“I don’t know, but we can find out together.” I step closer to them.
“You’re not done with us after all, rabbit,” Lars snarks.
“No. I think we’re stuck with each other.”
Owen takes a step and then stops. Laughter brightens his features. “We may not all be stuck,” he says.
“What?”
He tips his head up to the sky and then back to me. “Come back to me, Owen,” he says.
“Is Selena calling you home?”
“Yeah. She is or, at least, someone is.”
I fling my arms around him. “I’m so happy for you.” Stepping back, I beam. “Now, go write your story. Whatever endingyouwant.”
“Thank you, Georgia.” He leans in and presses a gentle kiss to the center of my forehead. “Goodbye, fellas.” Grinning, he steps back. His form becomes transparent until he disappears.
A blend of sad happiness mixes within me. Owen deserves to go back and rewrite his ending. I just know I’ll miss him. So will Hope, who may need to look for a new backup chef.
My eyes flick to Lars and James. Each remains fixed to their spots, their stares locked to where their friend used to be.
“Do you hear anything?” My question is cautious.
“No,” they both say.
Lars sniffs, and then his head jerks towards the door. A giant grin erupts on his face the moment Jackson emerges into the courtyard.
“You’re still here. I’m not too late,” he says through panted breaths, rushing towards Lars. “I know I said I didn’t want to get in your way, but?—”
His muscular arms pull Jackson into a tight embrace, and Lars silences him with a kiss. Their mouths cling in deepening kisses between Jackson muttering “I’m selfish but I don’t want you to go,” and Lars’s “Shut up, pretty boy, I’m right where I want to be.”
Hand on my heart, I melt into the gooey sensation enveloping me. Lars’s heart’s desire is my brother, but he couldn’t embrace that completely without knowing the people he left behind would be okay. Jackson’s appearance is, no doubt, Lars’s own mystical voice calling him home.
“At least this means I will no longer have to share the guest room. Lars snores, so your brother may never sleep again.” James makes a huffed laugh.
“I don’t think they plan to do a lot of sleeping,” I quip, my mouth lifting at Lars hoisting Jackson into his arms, his long legs wrapping around the werewolf’s middle.
“We’re right here, gentlemen, though that term may not fit,” James tuts.
“Hush, Lord Jealous.” Lars sets Jackson down.
“Not your best retort, old chap.”
My stomach sinks. “So, no messages or voices for you?”
“No, but there wouldn’t be, would there? My wish wasn’t about me.”
With a frown, I turn to him. “You could have wished for anything you wanted.”
“But I did wish for what I want. Cecily’s happiness is what I desire. Even if it’s not with me. She deserves the world and a man who is worthy to give her it… And I’m not him. My entire life has been about my wants, my desires. I don’t want to be that man anymore.”
“You may not be who I thought you were.”
“But I am.” He frowns. “Please, don’t let me forget that or get comfortable in that idea that I am not. Comfort and delusion shall only blind me to the path ahead. The one to become the man you think I may be, but that I know I am not. At least, not yet.”
