Page 141 of Late Nights & Love Lines
“He’s right,” Leo says. “You’re family, Row. We’re not letting you go now.”
“The orphanage for lost souls.” I giggle, actually freaking giggle.
Without allowing myself to think too much about it, I fling myself at each of the guys and wrap them in a very short hug. Hugs are still not for me—I’d prefer a fist bump, but they’re all a bunch of huggers, and today, I want to meet them halfway.
“Thank you.” I choke out. “I ah, didn’t really have a plan here. I haven’t even planned out what I want to say to them.”
Beck places a heavy hand on my shoulder. “Sometimes, goodbye is all you need.” So many emotions flood his gaze then. What kind of ghosts does he have in his past that makes him able to relate to mine so easily?
Seems we all have some baggage that weighs us down at one point or another.
“You sure you want to do this?” Seb asks, holding my hand and squeezing it as we stand staring at the driveway I never thought I’d set foot on again.
“I’m sure.” Turning to face him, I find my future, and it’s brighter than I’d ever imagined for myself. “You chose me, Seb.” He frowns, then looks over my head at the guys. “You’ve chosen me day after day, and you chose me over Coleman, not even knowing if I could give you all of my tomorrows. You chose me.”
He blinks, and his face softens with understanding. “Sweetheart, I’ve been choosing you since you were eight years old. If I’d known you were always an option, I never would have let you go.” Sebastian kisses my forehead, and all feels right with the world.
“I choose you too, Sebastian. I choose you for today and all my tomorrows.” His grin pierces my heart, which syncs to his rhythm for eternity.
“So, how are we going to play this?” Alexei walks up behind us with his arms crossed over his chest. “Should we pretend we’re her security and scare the shit out of them?”
“What are you, the mafia?” Beck asks.
Alexei’s cheek twitches.
“Are you mafia?” I gasp, staring at each of them in turn.
“No.” Sebastian laughs.
“Jesus, Row. Are you reading those mafia romances with Stella? That shit doesn’t happen in real life,” Beck mutters.
I lift my gaze to Alexei. He doesn’t say a word. His eyebrow raises with his shoulder, and he sports a smirk that could get a nun to drop her panties.
Holy shit.
“Stop messing with her, Alex.” Sebastian smacks him in the back of the head, and then all eyes are on me again. “It’s your call, Peach. What do you want to do?”
I take strength from the hand he keeps at my lower back, then square my shoulders. “Let’s go say goodbye to my past so I can move on to my future.”
“Atta girl, Row. I knew this day would come. I’m damn proud of you, kid.” Pappy’s never been shy about showing his emotions, and he doesn’t attempt to brush away his tears now.
“Thanks, Pappy.” Glancing around, I burst out laughing. “We make quite the sight. All five foot two of me surrounded by giant men. My mother will clutch her pearls.”
Alexei waggles his brows. “I’m happy to play up the reverse harem if you really want to stick it to her.”
“Jesus, Alex.” This time, Leo flicks the back of his head because Seb’s too far away.
“One thing before we go up there,” Beck says, handing me his phone. “The girls wanted to say hi.”
Peering down at the phone, Tabby, Stella, and Seren all cram their faces into the screen. Seren tears up the second I come into view.
“Hey, Ser. I told you I was coming back. Don’t cry.” My heart starts thwacking at my chest as if it’s punishing me for being here and not at home with her, where I belong.
“I know.” She nods with exaggerated movements that cause her tears to flow faster. How can love so profound grow in such a short amount of time?
“Hey, Row-Row. See ya tomorrow,” Kade yells in the background.
“Yeah, buddy.” I swallow my tears. “I’ll see you all soon.”
