Page 58 of Runaway Girl
“Th-thanks,” I said, my voice thick with emotion.
“Pay up,” Phil said, his palm open in front of Owen, who groaned before swiftly depositing a $50 note in his hand.
I sniggered. “You made a bet?”
“Owen thought you’d pussy out,” Phil said.
My eyes narrowed on the man in question, which had Owen raising his hands in surrender. “Hey. I was sure you’d ask, just notwhen.”Then, his features altered into a cheeky smirk. “Better watch out, though, Ethan. Once you put that ring on her finger, you automatically turn into Alicia’s bitch.”
And I’d have it no other way. Alicia could boss me around, relay her commands and I’d happily follow through like a well-trained pup.
Phil whacked the back of Owen’s head. “Watch how you talk about my girls.”
My phone vibrated in my pocket, and I smiled when I saw my dad calling. He had met a special lady friend through his fishing club and had gone for a weekend getaway out on the water.
I slipped away to answer and gave him the good news of Phil’s acceptance. After a solid ten minutes of Dad relaying his latest catch, I heard female mutterings carry over from the porch.Alicia’s back.
As I went to wrap up my call, Austin’s young voice cut through. “Aunty, guess what happened! Daddy gave Papa lots of money, then, Papa hit Daddy on the head.”
“Why’d Papa hit Dad?” Alexis asked.
Oh, no.They warned me the kid had a big mouth, but I didn’t expect him to be that preceptive.
As my dad continued to ramble over speakerphone, unaware of my critical situation—I ran over to the porch, ready to shut that little shit up.
Unfortunately, I was too late.
“Daddy said Uncle Ethan will be a bitch when he puts a ring on your fing—”
“Language,” Harriot snapped.
“What the hell, Owen?” Alexis said.
Everyone spoke over each other as raucous laughter came through my phone.
Fucking great.
Palming my device over to Phil, I ignored and dodged them all, tentatively approaching a frozen Alicia. Her gaze tracked my every movement.
Once in front of her, I immediately admitted defeat and gathered to one knee, pulling out a ring box from my pocket.
I hummed, then licked my lips.Why is my mouth so dry all of a sudden?
“Alicia. This isn’t what I had planned. But, in the grand scheme of things, I guess the end result would still be the same. I want you to be mine in every way, and I want to give you that in return. Be my forever love. Marry m—”
“Yes!” Alicia launched right at me. We were caught in a spell of our own making, kissing and hugging and squeezing so tight we were basically one entity.
The Thorne family congregated around us, conveying their congratulations and best wishes towards our shared union.
I kept Alicia next to me, an arm settled around her waist as she showed off her ring. I needed her touch, to make sure I was anchored in this moment of reality.
Owen gripped my shoulder. “Congrats, bro. We finally outnumber the girls. Maybe this means we’ll stand a chance?”
“I wouldn’t speak too soon…” Alicia whispered, hesitancy coating her voice.
That caught my attention. “What’s up, love?”
Alicia stared up at me with glistening eyes, two bright beams of hope shining through. Everything faded into the background as my world was entirely narrowed down and encapsulated onto the woman before me.
