Jason wrapped me up in a quick hug, cap tilted, gown creased. "I didn't know he was coming."
"It's fine."
"Are you sure?"
I nodded. "He's your brother. He should be here."
"He's your ex," he insisted, awkwardly shuffling.
We were currently sipping cheap champagne and eating cold finger food, mingling with our classmates for potentially the last time.
"Between you and me, I think he's having second thoughts about that."
"What do you mean?" he asked, frowning.
I shrugged. "He said he made a mistake."
A sly grin broke through. "He finally had the balls to admit it then."
"YOU KNEW?"
He inched closer. "Between you and me, he's been feeling this way for a few months now. He's planning some big gesture."
"When?"
"Soon."
Wow.
"I won't say any more about it. Just...keep an open mind, Ebony. He may have been an idiot to walk away from you in the first place but he's been through shit with all this Teddy stuff. He lost his child."
"I know..."
"But don't let him off too lightly," he pressed, backtracking. "The guy was still a dick for what he did. Make sure he knows that."
I smiled.
"Do what makes you happy, Ebony. Fuck what everyone else thinks. Listen to what your heart is saying."
If only it were that simple. My heart obviously still longed for him but was it enough? After all, it was Alex who broke it in the first place.
****
Alex: I'm outside. Permission to steal you away from packing for a few hours? xx
I stared down at the text message on my screen and sighed. A break from hauling boxes around did sound rather nice but was I ready to be alone with Alex again? Was this the big gesture Jason was talking about two days ago at graduation?
Ebony: Give me 5 mins.
No kiss!
Alex: :)
I threw on a light dress and slipped into a pair of sandals, spraying a light layer of perfume on as I left. I didn't bother applying makeup and had long surpassed the urge to brush my hair.
"Hey."
He greeted me by the door.
"Hi."
He wore light jeans, a white T-shirt and converse. The optimum of casual.
"Thank you for coming. I was hoping we could talk."
I nodded. "About what?"
"About us. Our future."
Wow!
"Before that, I'd like to apologise. But not here. Do you mind coming back to my house with me?"
I followed him to his car, essentially agreeing. We listened to the radio for most of the journey and upon our arrival at his home, Alex opened the door for me.
"Congratulations on getting the job, by the way. Jason told me."
"Thanks. I'm so nervous."
He unlocked his front door for us. "Don't be. You're an amazing teacher."
The fact he said that without even knowing what kind of teacher I was felt incredibly uplifting. I'd been stressing about my new job for weeks and having my ego boosted was exactly what I needed at a time like this.
"Wow! It looks great in here!" I complimented, appreciating his newly decorated living room.
Beige walls and bright furniture made the space that much more homely.
"Thanks. It's taken me a while but I think it's finally ready."
"Ready for what?" I asked, eyeing up his enormous bookshelf.
I noticed a book about teaching and wondered why he'd be interested in that.
"For you," he replied, nervously.
Excuse me?
"Me?"
He nodded.
I followed his gaze around the room and noticed my things. Things I had left behind before moving to college. Things that I hadn't seen since visiting home.
"Your mom and I have been conspiring. She sent over a bunch of stuff she thought you like for your new home."
"My new home?"
Again, he nodded. "If you'll have me?"
I was so confused.
"Will you move in with me, Ebony?"
Holy shit!
"That depends," I replied, crossing my arms.
"On what?"
"You hurt me, Alex."
He ran to my side in a second. "I know I did. I think about what I did every day and I'm terrified I've ruined it. Ruined us." Tears gathered in his eyes. "I needed to heal but I was wrong to push you away. I should've let you help."
"I wanted to," I cried, reaching out to touch him. "Your rejection made me feel worthless."
He hung his head in shame. "All I can do it say I'm sorry and admit to being wrong. I hate that I made you feel worthless when the truth is, I'm the one who felt that way."
He rested his forehead against mine.
"I've always been second best. Chloe left me for my best friend and when I saw Jason kiss you, I freaked out. I know you didn't initiate things. I know you'd never do that to me but it brought to light some harsh truths. Truths about Teddy. I was a parent, Ebony. A dad. Then, all of a sudden, I wasn't and I never got over that."
"I don't think you'll ever be over it, Alex."
He nodded, agreeing. "No, but I'm learning to live with it in a way that's bearable. And in the months we've been apart, I've done some serious thinking. About you. About how much I love you. How much I want to marry you. Start a family together."
I laughed. "What? Right now?"
"No, not right now. One day, though," he ensured, pulling back ever so slightly.
I stared into his midnight eyes. "Promise me we're a team. That everything we face, we face together."
"I promise," he replied, no hesitation. "I also promise to never hurt you ever again. If you give me a second chance, I'll prove that to you. Every day."
"You can prove it right now by getting that out of here," I declared, pointing towards a giant unicorn teddy.
Why my mom thought to send that was beyond me.
He laughed. "Oh, thank god. How does a person even come to own a giant unicorn teddy anyway?"
"Don't ask," I replied, pulling him in for a hug. "Just kiss me instead, please."
He obliged, no questions asked and the second his mouth was on mine, I knew everything was going to be okay. No couple was perfect and Alex still had a lot to prove. But I loved him and I knew he loved me. That was all that mattered. Moving in with him was a huge step but it felt right. College was over and I was looking forward to starting the next chapter of my life with the other Hart brother. With Alex.
My flingâturned boyfriend.
How lucky am I?
The end.
Guyssssss! It's the end and I'm CRYING. Finishing a book is always the hardest part for me because I just don't like saying goodbye to my characters.
Thank you all for reading! I really do appreciate every vote, comment and read. I'll be posting more content for you guys in the weeks to come. So, keep your eyes on my profile for that.
Feel free to stalk/ follow me on social media. Links can be found below...
(I'll be posting book-news and teasers constantly).