Page 115 of Wicked Deceit
“We’ll text every day. Hell, we can FaceTime any time you want,” Chase adds, nodding his head.
“I still need a fucking tutor. I can’t do math without you,” Seger says, swallowing hard.
“This isn’t the end, you idiots,” I mumble, grazing my fingers along Zepp’s. “This is only the beginning.” Zepp smiles at my declaration, sneaking a small kiss on my lips while watching my father closely.
“To the beginning,” Seger whispers, kissing me, too.
“To our best beginning,” Chase says with a whoop. He grabs my face, pulling me into him. His tongue dances with mine until a throat-clearing makes him pull away. Redness takes over his cheeks. “Sorry, Mr. C,” he says, ducking his head out of view.
Carter’s finger edges down my jaw, tracing over stray freckles. “I’ll be seeing you soon, Sweetheart,” he says, leaning in and brushing his warm lips on my cheek.
“I’ll be seeing you, too,” I whisper back with a nod.
We all hug one last time, saying our goodbyes for now. The boys jump into their vehicles and go their own ways as I go mine. I take one last look at East Point through the rear window from the backseat of my mother’s BMW, watching it flash by like so many times before.
All the car rides. All the laughs and kisses. The sexy time. The mystery, torment, bullying, and closure. I went to East Point for revenge and revenge only. It ate at me every day, and now I can breathe. I finally fucking did it. I found out who murdered Magnolia and spread their names like wildfire until they were dead or thrown in jail. Now, I can relax in the arms of the boys I love and continue with my life.
That’s the last time I ever saw the boys. Throughout the school year, the distance became too much. We went our separate ways, never forgetting our time together and…
Jesus, I’m kidding. Seriously? I got you, though, didn’t I? That wasn’t our end. That was the beginning of the rest of our lives together.
We became even closer throughout the rest of the school year. Even when we were so far away from each other, we found ways to connect and visit. And then, one day, we weren’t so far away.
All four of my favorite idiots moved into a tiny two-bedroom apartment together in the downtown area of my hometown. It’s a few minutes away from my parent’s house. Whether I went to their place or we had dinner at my parent’s, we spent every day together. Once summer came, we counted the days until we left for college.
Together. We’ll be together. Always.
Several Months Later
“Happybirthday,baby,”Segerwhispers, wrapping an arm around my shoulders in the sparse front yard of the new home we’ve rented for our first school year at CaliState. I can’t believe we’ve finally made it to college after everything we’ve been through. We’re stronger than ever, having spent summer together, and we even took a little road trip, just the five of us, to get away from reality.
My lips pop open at the beauty that lies before me, and I still can’t believe they did this behind my back. This was not the house we had decided on over the summer. It’s beyond my wildest dreams. A massive yellow, Victorian-style home sits in front of me with a beautiful wrap-around porch. I mentally squeal when a three-seater porch swing drifts in the slight breeze of the California wind. The bright sun beats down over our heads, beaming down on the array of beautiful, decorated flower pots littering the porch with bright blooms bursting from them.
“This place is so big,” I mumble, my words tumbling out in excitement and awe.
“There’s five of us,” Carter grumbles, coming up to my other side, brushing his pinkie against mine, intertwining them.
He peers up at the house, letting his carefree smile tumble free. Ever since his father’s death and the downfall of the Apocalypse Society, Carter’s been a free man, living his best life. No longer is the threat of prison looming over him; no more orders being barked in his ear by his father. Carter is free, and his smile, attitude, and love prove it. “And,” he says, turning toward me. “It’s ours, Sweetheart. Happy birthday.” he murmurs, pecking my cheek. He smirks at the stupefied expression taking over my face when he stands tall and reaches behind him to present me with the thick paperwork.
“What?” I squeak, flipping through the papers with all our names on them, showcasing we own the home free and clear.
“It’s ours, Sunshine! Our first home,” Chase says in celebration, running towards the front of the house. He does a weird touchdown dance in celebration, throwing his arms all around, laughing like a buffoon toward the bright blue sky.
“You guys,” I whisper, staring back at my parents, who give me a knowing smile, and my mother winks. I stiffen at the scowl across my father’s face but see the softness resting in his eyes. He cares about me and cares about them, but ultimately, he wants me to be happy. He knows it resides in this house with them since we had to spill the beans about practically living together at the Maze House.
“For the next four years,” Zepp says, spreading his arms wide and presenting the house. “We live here, all together.”
“All together!” Seger shouts, throwing a fist into the air.
“College will be one hell of an experience,” Chase snorts, running up to me. He hoists me into his arms, winds my legs around his waist, and spins us in circles laughing hysterically. “This is the beginning of our adult lives,” he breathes, finally stopping as the world keeps spinning.
“The best is yet to come.” I grin back, leaning down to capture his lips with mine, and we sigh, staying like that for a moment together.
“The best,” he whispers, letting my body slip down his body so I’m standing upright against him. “Happy birthday, Sunshine.”
“Happy birthday,” Zepp says, kissing my cheek but pulls away with wide eyes. “Shit,” he murmurs, looking over Chase’s shoulder. I furrow my brows, taking a peek, and snort when my father marches toward us with determination in his eyes. My mother tows behind, grabs his arm and whispers words so low I can’t hear them. Concern bleeds from her when she releases her hold on him and stands beside us, biting her bottom lip. She shrugs at me when he opens his mouth and growls at the four boys.
“Now, boys,” my father grunts, cracking each knuckle with intent. I swear I can hear the guys’ balls shrivel into their stomachs when he makes eye contact with all of them. They straighten their backs, swallowing hard, and each of them tracks my father’s angry pacing. “I’m trusting you to keep my daughter safe.”
