Page 64 of Beyond the Summer

"So," I said, aiming for a lighter tone, "any bets on how many times Parker will try to sneak extra dessert?"

Ben snorted."That man is obsessed with food."

I laughed, the sound feeling foreign, but good.As we walked, surrounded by the chatter and laughter of our friends, I realized something profound.These people—who just days ago were strangers—had become my family.They accepted me, supported me, and loved me for who I was.

For the first time in my life, I felt like I truly belonged.

Epilogue - Ben

Afteralongdayof classes, it was a welcome relief to know I was coming home to my boyfriend.After everything had blown up, Sutton had hunkered down at our place, planning for a future that no longer involved finishing Stanford, or obeying his father's dictates, and I was eager to get home to him.I dropped my bag by the entrance and headed straight for the living room where Sutton sat, hunched over his laptop, eyes glued to the screen.

"Still enjoying your fan club, huh?"I teased, wrapping my arms around his broad shoulders from behind.His hair tickled my cheek as I nuzzled against him, feeling the warmth of his body seep into mine.

"Hey," Sutton murmured absentmindedly, his fingers flying over the keyboard.He was probably still caught up in the whirlwind of comments and messages that had flooded his social media after his latest post went viral.

"You're like a moth to a flame," I chuckled, pressing a kiss to the side of his neck."But it's good, right?All the support and everything?"

"Yeah, but…" Sutton's voice trailed off, and he turned to look at me, his eyes wide and filled with something I couldn't quite place—fear, maybe?"Ben, you won't believe this."

"Try me," I said, squeezing his shoulders reassuringly.

"After that post went viral, an investigator dug into my dad's finances," Sutton started, his voice shaky."They found out he's been embezzling from the church.My dad might be in deep trouble."

"Seriously?"My mind raced, trying to process what he'd just said.Sutton's father, Lawrence Holm—the holier-than-thou televangelist who preached fire and brimstone while condemning anyone who didn't fit his narrow view of righteousness—was a thief?

"Yeah."Sutton let out a shuddering breath, closing the laptop and burying his face in his hands."It's all over the news now."

I straightened, running a hand through my hair, and something deep inside, something that marked my worry for Sutton, relaxed just a little.If I was being honest with myself, it would thrill me to see Lawrence Holm in jail, and to know that couldn't ruin any more of Sutton's events.

The expression on Sutton's face when he'd spotted his parents at Matt's speech had been enough to make me hate them far more than I had any right to.No one could ever make my sweet, kind-hearted boyfriend look that distraught, that heartbroken again.

Then he'd blown me away with the way he'd fought back.Sutton had remained true to himself, instead of dropping back into the asshole persona he invented to protect himself.He'd stood up for our relationship, for everyone, really.And I knew in that moment that there wasn't another person for me.My heart was completely lost to Sutton Holm.

"Wow."I needed to choose my words carefully here; the news had shaken Sutton, and I knew he needed to sort through these feelings on his own, in his own time.

"Yeah," he whispered.Seeing how glassy his eyes were, I moved closer, kneeling between his legs so I could make eye contact.

"How are you holding up?"As I spoke, a tear streaked down his cheek, and I brushed a thumb over his cheekbone to catch another tear before it fell.He took a shaky breath, composing himself.I smiled."I see you trying to hold it together, and I want to let you know that it's okay if you fall apart, baby.You don't have to be strong, just let yourself feel all the things.I'm here for you."

"Honestly, Ben?I don't know if I will fall apart."He shook his head slowly, as if trying to clear away the whirlwind of emotions."It's weird.I'm feeling everything at once, and my mind is a mess.Can I really be mourning the loss of my family while getting a sick thrill out of knowing that asshole might go to jail?"

"Of course you can," I replied softly, shifting forward to kiss each cheek."It's tough, the mixed-up feelings we have for family."

"Yeah," he whispered."And if he really took money that was meant to go to people in need, he deserves it."

"It's okay to feel sad about it.They're blood and there's a bond there that's hard to break.You can hate them, but a part of you might always feel some attachment to them."

"I don't think so.I think… I think you're my real family," he whispered."You and Matt and Walt and Linda."

I smiled, continuing to stroke his face, to soothe him."Of course we are, baby.And I'm here for you.And my family is, too.You're welcome to call Matt your brother, you know.Hell, sometimes I'd be happy to give him away.When he gets all wise and self-righteous, you can keep him for yourself."

He laughed, my joke hitting the mark."You know you love your stepbrother.And you know you're lucky to have him."His eyes were red, his voice shaky, but laced with gratitude.He leaned into my touch, his lips trembling as they brushed against my palm, sending a warm tingle of awareness down my arm.The simple intimacy of the gesture got me deep in my chest, and now I was about to cry with him.Fuck.

"I know.I'm just teasing you to see that cute smile.And because I want to be sure you know you're not alone.Even if you never see them again, you're not alone."

He smiled, his eyes still glassy."Thank you.For showing me what it should be like.I'm not sure I would have snapped out of this if it hadn't been for you.I'd be a khaki-wearing douchebag working on Wall Street or something."

I snorted, sliding my hand down to his chest, holding it over my heart."Sure you would have.This version of you was in here all along, aching to get out.And this version of you definitely couldn't marry and have sex with a woman."

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