Step-Lover

“Hey Aria, how’s it going?”

“Awesome.”

Matty is a great guy. We met him only a week after Ripley was home from hospital. He’s a super sweet, super good-looking boy and the two of them look fantastic together. Matty is fairer than Ripley, with light blond hair and the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen. He’s tall and lean, and has the sweetest smile.

“Where are we headed tonight?” Ripley asks.

“To a place I can get you fuckers in with a fake ID,” Blade says, pulling away from the curb.

I laugh at his comment, because Jack and Mom would kill us if they knew we were sneaking Ripley and Matty into a club. No matter, I’m sure all kids have done it at one point.

“Melanie, you look fine tonight,” Ripley says, winking at Mel.

She rolls her eyes but gives him a mega-watt smile. “Thanks, so do you.”

He runs a hand down his shirt. “I know.”

I watch as Melanie gives Brody a look and then she says softly, “Happy Birthday, Brody.”

“Thanks, babe.”

Babe. He calls her that, yet shows nothing when it comes to his interest in her. I know it’s there, and I know why he’s holding back, but I still wish he would let her in. With a sigh, I lean back in the chair and chat casually to everyone as we drive.

When we pull up at a club, Blade parks and we all pile out of the car. Tucking his arm around me, Blade leads us all to the front door. We get in without a problem, and immediately go to the bar and get some drinks. Blade grabs a booth and when we have drinks in hand, we all squish in. I smile at all of them, not only my friends, but my family. All of us seem comfortable, as if we know we just belong.

“So, birthday boy, what do you want to achieve tonight?” Blade asks Brody, nudging him.

“A sweet ass,” Brody mutters, but his eyes flicker to Melanie.

“Good choice.”

I slap Blade on the shoulder and he turns and grins down at me. Cheeky shit.

“Well, here we are,” Ripley says, raising his glass. “Who the fuck knew we’d be here.”

I smile and stare at all the faces I’ve grown to love. I started out with no family, and a broken heart. Now I have all of them, and it feels amazing. Each of them has come to mean something to me and I’ve grown a unique relationship with all of them. I’ve remembered how it feels to laugh. I’ve remembered how it feels to be wanted. These boys, this family—they are the best thing that ever happened to me.

“Cheers to family,” Melanie says, raising her glass.

“Cheers to happiness,” Ripley says.

“Cheers to finding the perfect person,” Matty adds.

“Cheers to laughter.” Brody grins.

“Cheers to you crazy bastards.” I laugh, raising my glass.

“And cheers to finding the person that makes your world bright,” Blade says, his eyes on mine.

We all clank glasses, and Ripley cries, “Pussy, Blade.”

I laugh and tuck myself into Blade’s arms. He leans down to me and his lips brush my ear as he whispers, “Meant every word. My world has been a mass of sunshine since you, Tulip. It’s colorful, it’s bright and it’s perfect. Best thing that ever happened to me, by far. I don’t wanna be sappy, but I never plan on letting you go. I love you. I hope you know that.”

I stare up at him, and I know he means every word. I know it because I feel the exact same way. Since we made it official, every day with Blade has only gotten better. There hasn’t been even a second where I’ve regretted falling in love with the man most forbidden to me. In fact, it was the best damned thing that ever happened to me, and I’ll never regret it.

I cup his face, bringing my lips to his. “I absolutely know that.”

He grins, and I run my thumb over his dimple.

“Enough of that sappy stuff,” Mel cries leaping up and staring down at all of us. “Who wants to dance?”

“Me,” Brody says, surprising us all. He stands and strides towards her before hooking her around the waist and leading her onto the dance floor. Melanie’s cheeks heat and she gives me a hopeful look as they disappear into the crowd.

I watch them go with a smile on my face.

Cheers indeed.

THE END