Page 81 of If You Go
I've swept my hair into a low, messy ponytail, wisps of bright strands already escaping around my temples. A single fishtail braid winds through it—a small touch of deliberate beauty amid the chaos. My black pointed-toe booties click against the floor with each step, their worn leather creasing at the ankles above my black jeans, tornstrategically at the knees and thighs. The plain black silk tank top clings slightly to my skin, its subtle sheen catching the light when I move.
Brenden got me an emerald necklace that catches every hint of light in the room—the center stone must be three carats, deep green like forest shadows, flanked by four smaller stones that graduate down the gold chain like teardrops. When I move, they shimmer against my skin, cool and heavy. It pairs perfectly with my engagement ring—a two-carat emerald that seems to pulse with its own heartbeat, surrounded by black marquee stones sharp as obsidian blades. Lighter green stones and diamonds encircle the center emerald like protective sentinels, all nestled in a gold band that gleams warm against my finger. The weight of it anchors me, a constant reminder of what we've survived together. It is the only piece of jewelry I will never take off ever again. And I don’t wear jewelry much as a rule.
“Thank you, I’m excited to show everyone the apartment too. They haven’t seen it since we moved in, andit was empty. So this will be really fun. I need to check on the turkey though, make sure it’s cooking like it is supposed to. Oh, I forgot to tell you, Richie is spending the day with Tommy, so he likely won’t make it.”
I step out of his grasp, but he snags my hand and spins me around, placing a very intense kiss on my lips. Unfortunately for him, this black lipstick is not stay proof.
When we part, I laugh at his newly painted mouth and tell him to go wash up, as my parents should be here any moment, before walking away to check on my turkey.
“Well that’s too bad about Richie. Has he known the guy long? Are they like actually dating or are they just seeing each other casually?”
“Look at you being good at gossiping today,” I say with a wink. “They started talking a while ago, I think Richie really likes him. But we will see, I suppose. I once found his boxers in our kitchen sink. Not Richie’s. Tommy’s.” I give him an exasperated look, then I continue on my mission to check on the food.
With the turkey cooking nicely, I begin to set up the sides that I have prepared for snacking. It is about four pm, and the football game is about to come up, so I ask my Alexa to turn on the television so that it's going when people arrive. At that moment, two things happen almost simultaneously. Brenden steps out of the hall and into the kitchen, and someone begins banging on the door.
We look at each other, wary from everything we just went through only two months ago. Brenden reaches into his waistband and pulls out his 45. Of course, he has that on him. I don’t think he has walked to the bathroom without it since we left the warehouse. But I do almost the same thing. I have a 9mm I keep in the kitchen drawer. We don’t have any kids around here or anything, so I don’t feel bad not locking it up.
We both approach the door, safeties off, and place ourselves strategically by the door. Brenden peeks through the peephole, and sighs before putting his gun back on safe and placing it back into his waistband holster. He winks at me, and I point my gun at the door, but put the safety backon before he opens the door. Whoever it is isn’t a threat, but he wants to scare them, apparently. I giggle as he opens the door and shove the barrel of my gun right into Josh’s face, who in turn screams like a little girl, causing myself, Brenden, and Juniper to double over laughing. That’s what you get for surprising people who have just been through actual hell.
“What the fuck, guys. I almost pissed myself!” Josh screams at us, clutching his chest with one hand, and his crotch with the other.
“That would have been something I would have paid to see,” Brenden replies. Completely unfazed by his outburst.
I laugh as I apologize. Behind him, Corver and Natasha walk up. They aren’t holding hands or even smiling. So I am not sure what is going on between them. I know that Corver is especially happy that she is free and with him, but I know she has been through so much and adjusting can be difficult.
We greet all four of them and usher them inside, and I take them all to the island to start digging into the snacks I set out, as well as get the remaining food out. We will have a full apartment once everyone is here.
Before Brenden shut the door, Alisha and Sam show up. Together. Brenden told me about how they were when I was gone, and I am desperately hoping I get that I LOVE YOUR BROTHER/I LOVE YOUR BEST FRIEND speech today. It’s really all I want for Thanksgiving. Are there Thanksgiving wish lists? If not, there should be. Brenden points them in my direction and they join the conversation. Slowly, everyone else arrives. Selene shows up with my parents, and Gunnar arrives with Hazel and Arnie, which shocked me since I didn’t know they were hanging out after the compound.
But I think her and Arnie make the world’s most adorable couple. Finally, everyone has arrived and we are all mingling, Brenden and I in the kitchen making sure everyone has the booze and food they need as we wait on the turkey and sides.
“Hey, can I talk to you for a moment?”
Alisha came up and grabbed my elbow, and I looked over at Brenden, and he knows exactly where my head is at, as I am sure his eyes are as wide as mine. I turn back to her and grab her hand.
“Yeah, I wanted to show you the guest rooms anyway. I think you’ll love one of them in particular. Just don’t puke in it.” We giggle as we walk toward the hall.
“Wow, this is beautiful! Why pink?” She asks as we enter the all pink bedroom. She steps in and does a slow 360 spin in the center of the room.
“Well, it’s like having my best friend here with me always. Plus, I thought you’d love this room whenever you stay here! Do you like it?”
“Surry, it’s beautiful! Yes I love it! But that’s not what I wanted to talk to you about.”
I knew it, I knew it, I knew it!
“Okay, so what is it? Spill now, bitch!”
“So, I know you aren’t blind.” I instantly close my eyes and start feeling around in the air, causing her to laugh and smack my arm. “You know what I mean, crazy. I know you have seen Sam and I spending time together. And I wanted to talk to you about it. Before it goes any further.”
“Yes. You have my blessing. You have for years. I have always known you loved him. But I don’t want ANY details about it. Just that you are happy.” I grab her hands and squeeze them, pulling her closer. “My brother is a lucky man to even breathe the same air as you. And to have my best friend become my literal sister maybe one day, I’m in.”
“Good, because I know he asked my dad for permission to ask me to marry him. And I think he is going to ask yours as well. And I want to say yes if he does.”
My brain glitches, probably because I am screaming and laughing and dancing around. This is by far the best news I have heard in a long time. “FUCK YES!” I scream ather, and Brenden comes rushing in. I point at him, and he shuts the door behind him, looking eagerly between us.
“Sam asked her dad for permission! I told you! I knew it!” He starts grinning like a fool and comes over and squeezes us both, lifting us off the ground, causing more giggles and yelling between the three of us.
“Sam is a lucky man, and you are a lucky woman. I am so excited to have you join this family officially. Thank you for being you Alisha, for loving my girl all these years, and for being the best woman Sam could ever dream of being with.”
