Page 103 of Magic or Madness

I feel like a kid, not worrying about a damn thing as I fly through the air, the wind carrying me as I jump.

Finally, I breathlessly collapse on the bed, the exhaustion hitting me like a ton of bricks, and Ozzy helps me into one of his shirts and a pair of shorts.

“Come on, let’s get you some water.” He lifts me off the bed and I take his hand while he twirls me around, the curls framing his face in a nearly perfect way.

Just as I’m about to tackle him back into bed, he opens the door, and confetti is raining down on us both.

“Happy birthday!”The cheers ring loudly, and once the tiny papers clear my vision, everyone is standing in front of our room, with huge smiles on their faces.

“You could’ve said they were listening outside the door!” I swat Ozzy’s arm, but he shakes his head, clearly loving the thrill of the game.

“That wouldn’t be any fun, now would it?” I roll my eyes and make my way around to everyone, thanking them as Oliver cranks the music and declares this an official dance party.

Admittedly, I’m exhausted from my bed-jumping, and the mind-numbing orgasms, but you only turn twenty-one once, as they say.

“I’m proud of you, little sister,” Oliver says, pulling me in for a hug and dance.

“What did I do?” I laugh as he dips me down to the music, bringing me back up with one twirl.

“Look at this. Look around. All of us are getting along, living the way we have since Jacksonville. You made us a family, and this ratty old car dealership a home.”

I’m genuinely moved by his words, and I hate to take the credit, but I think he’s right. Since our trip, everything has been different, and we finally feel complete, like this is where the eight of us are meant to be.

“He’s right, Fallon. You brought us together.” Cami joins us, wrapping her arms around my neck from behind.

“Thank you, seriously. I’ve never felt like I belonged with a group of people more than you all,” I smile, and Cami lets me go, bringing me a fresh glass of champagne.

“Now, let’s drink until we crash!”

I shake my head, scanning the room for Ozzy until I see him leaning against the wall, eyes locked on mine. He nods, his attention directed toward Cami, and I offer him a wave before knocking back my drink and getting lost in the music.

It’s a half-hour past midnight and this is already the most wonderful birthday I’ve ever had, with the absolute best people this world has to offer.

My head is foggy,and my body feels like it’s shaking when I realize it is, and Ozzy’s trying to wrestle me awake.

“Go away,” I groan, but he’s relentless.

“No sleeping on your birthday, even if you stayed up until four a.m. in a champagne chugging contest with Camila,” he says sternly, and I attempt to hide under the pillows.

“Five more minutes,” I beg, but he grabs hold of my ankles, dragging me until I’m upright.

“There she is,my beautiful girl,” he smiles, handing me a breakfast sandwich loaded with ketchup.

I can’t resist my favorite breakfast, made by the most gorgeous man on the planet, so I take a big bite, loving it when he cooks for me.

“This is perfect, thank you.” I kiss his cheek, and he wraps his arms around me.

“You’re in for a big day, Bambi, but first, your gift,” he says softly, pulling a black box from his pocket.

I wasn’t expecting presents, and I’m terrible at this kind of thing. Ozzy loves spoiling me, though, and I know it’s his personal mission to make this my best birthday ever, after I confessed I never had a birthday party as a kid. He’s been hellbent, making plans in secret and alluding to somethingI’ll never forget.

I tug at the tiny ribbon tied on the box, and when I open it, a small necklace sits on a foam insert, glimmering in the light.

It’s a silver coin, similar to the one I bought for Ozzy in Jacksonville, but this one is different.

“Greek Goddess Athena. The most powerful Goddess there was, with powers of wisdom and warfare. They say she was the most intelligent of her kind, and her gift to the people was an Olive tree, hence the branches along the edges,” he explains, and the tears slowly roll down my cheeks.

Not only did he take the time to learn about Greek mythology, but he knows I think of him as the God of the Sea, and he likened me to the most powerful Goddess.

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