Page 40 of Beach B!tch
I laughed, enjoying his silliness. "Well, when you put it that way..." I threw my arms around him and gave him a big hug. There was something about Stefan: he was easy to love, even by someone as socially awkward as me.
Before Stefan could get any ideas, Dean pulled me up off his lap and returned me to his side, arm wrapped protectively around me.
"So what did you think of the game, Brinley?" Stefan asked me. Beth turned to look at me, her eagle eyes taking in our interactions, probably to make sure I didn't insult her son. I had no intention of doing that as I genuinely liked and respected Stefan.
"I was impressed with your level of play, to be honest. I had no idea how well you guys could play from a wheelchair. Today was eye-opening. Thank you for that." I smiled shyly at Stefan and felt Dean squeeze me tighter. Beth smiled at me, so I knew I'd said the right thing.
Stefan wheeled right in front of me, almost clipping my shins with his wheelchair. There was no longer a playful smile on his face, replaced instead by stone cold seriousness. My stomach dropped, thinking I'd somehow offended him when that was the last thing I wanted to do. He grabbed my hand and held it firm in his.
"Perceptions and beliefs can really fuck you up, Brinley. Contrary to how you were raised, being worthy isn't something you earn, it's something you have to recognize. I'm not something special because we won the game or because I'm in a wheelchair doing things able-bodied people can't believe. I was born worthy. So were you. And once you get that, you won't be able to think, speak, or behave in any other way." Stefan took a breath while I just stared and digested. "Dean shared with me your troubles with your father. Don't let him define you any longer. Recognize your worth, Brinley. That's the only way to live and be happy."
A fellow teammate crashed into Stefan, slapping him on the back to congratulate him on their win. Stefan switched back into the happy-go-lucky guy he usually was and they wheeled off together to join another group.
My jaw was hanging open, and I stood there blinking, too stunned to form words just yet. I spun to Dean. "Wha--"
"I know," Dean said, shaking his head slowly. "The dude cracks jokes twenty-four-seven and then drops a philosophical bomb on ya' out of the blue. Just his way. He's had a lot of time to think and ruminate. And dammit, the guy's usually spot on."
"I don't know what you're all talking about since no one thought to fill me in, but if your father is being an asshole to you, you tell me, Brinley, honey. I'll go set him straight." Beth's head popped up next to Dean and I, her eyes narrowed. "I know we just met, but you're one of a kind. I can't believe you'd think you're somehow not good enough. Did he make you believe that?" She looked ready to open a can of whoop ass, which was highly entertaining and damn sweet.
A warm sensation was permeating my body, and I wasn't sure if I wanted to laugh or cry. I chose the less dramatic route since I was in public and smiled at Beth, appreciating her sticking up for me. I wrapped an arm around her and gave her a genuine hug. Probably the first hug I'd ever initiated outside of Dean and Stefan. Dean wrapped his arms around us both and I allowed myself to sink into the peaceful moment.
I was on a roll with these hugs and it felt pretty good. I might start hugging everyone I met from then on. Bagging my groceries? How about a hug first. Table for two? Let's trade menus for hugs. Scored a point? I'd slap your ass and follow it up with a hug.
The family huddle broke up, as all good lovefests eventually do, and Dean walked me back to his truck. He needed to get to work and I needed some time alone to process everything that'd happened in the last twenty-four hours.
Things were changing in my life, whether I was ready for it or not.
