Page 109 of Begrudgingly Yours
“I’m so?—”
Everett cuts me off. “Don’t you dare say you’re sorry, Rory.”
I nod, because he’s right. I’m still getting used to showing this kind of vulnerability in front of them, but I know I shouldn’t feel ashamed. “It’s a letter from my dad. His final wish in his will.”
They let me sit somberly for a few more moments, then Jett asks, “Did it bring you any closure?”
“Yeah.” I know it stings right now. I know I’ll reread the words over and over again until I can’t feel anything from them anymore, but this was something I needed. I didn’t even know I was holding onto so many questions until I just read the answers. And it helps me in more ways than I know how to articulate. “Imiss him so much.”
“As you should. Missing him means not forgetting,” Jett says from behind me. “I’m glad you got some piece of him back, Rory.”
That makes another tear fall. This piece of him was more than I thought I’d ever get. I’m lucky for it, to be shown a glimpse of my childhood from his point of view. It feels irreplaceable to me. Like everything makes sense now.
“I’m glad, too,” I reply, barely above a whisper, and then I let them soothe me to sleep.
“I don’t understandwhy I have to wear this thing,” I say for the millionth time.
Dax chuckles. “We’re not going to tell you why, so stop trying.”
“If I’m not blindfolded for something sexy, I don’t want it.”
“You can’t seduce me into taking the blindfold off, baby. I’m a lot stronger than that.”
I beg to differ, but I don’t challenge it. I give him a pout instead, which only makes him snort because he knows I’m using it as a tactic.
“It would ruin the surprise,” Jett says diplomatically from the passenger seat. “We’ll be there in a few minutes.”
A few minutes must be sooner than I thought, or the blindfold must alter my ability to tell time, because the car stops a few moments later.
“Guys, I’m actually really nervous,” I tell them.
“We promise you’re going to love it,” Dax says beside me before he gets out of the car and comes over to let me out. I can hear the cicadas outside and feel the sidewalk under my feet as the guys guide me wherever we’re going.
“You’re going to take a step up for us, okay?” Everett’shusky voice appears right next to my ear and goosebumps immediately erupt on my skin. I pull my foot up, feeling around for the step.
“Just one more step, twilight.” I step up again and then the cool air leaves as we go through a door. “Okay, we can take this off now.”
He says this but Dax is still leading me through whoever’s random house we’re in. When the blindfold is gone, I try to adjust my sight to the light but there is none. It’s still completely dark.
“What the?—”
The light flares, nearly blinding me as people scream from every corner. Some part of me registers that they all are screamingSurprise, but the flinch happens nonetheless. When I see a familiar pair of dungarees in the crowd, I burst out laughing.
“What the hell!” I finish my thought.
“Happy birthday, love.” Dax kisses the side of my head while Everett gives my hand a squeeze.
Stacia comes forward, hugging me before anyone else. “It’s a surprise party!”
“Well, yeah, duh!” I look around, seeing that it’s a small get-together, which I appreciate. And we’re in Stacia’s house, which is the reason I was blindfolded. I would have recognized the route immediately.
Stacia’s pack and Opal step up, giving me birthday wishes and happy smiles. Sam and his pack stay back a little, and knowing them it’s probably so I don’t feel overcrowded.
I give Opal a hug, squeezing her. “Rory, I can’t breathe.”
“Sorry.” I let her go and notice the circles under her eyes. “Are you doing okay? I’m guessing you found somewhere to live.”
I have texted her a couple times over the last few days but with no response. I’m happier than ever to see her here tonight.
