Epilogue

EPILOGUE

Alexander

One year later

T hings couldn't be more perfect.

Lewis' heart was in perfect shape with no issues at any of his appointments to date. I still find it hard going along in a supportive capacity rather than being in a consulting role.

My career is excelling, and I love it each and every day.

My family, well what can I say they still love to challenge me—so much so that three months ago the whole clan, bar my mother, had bought their own homes in Hope Springs and downsized to just be back around me. I was shocked to say the least but having them close to me meant the world.

"I still don't forgive him for turning his phone off that night," Eli remarked to me, yet again as he helped me in prepping the cold salads with Tess whilst my brothers were out back trying to light the grill. "I was so close to sending out the police. I didn't know if he was?—"

"And I've apologized many times when I realized Lewis had made that error." I sighed loudly. That night a lot happened as I've explained making Eli chuckle and shake his head at me. "I've made sure he's always got it charged from now on and that he'll never do anything so stupid again."

"I'm holding you accountable to that," he answered, finishing off the potato salad as Tess just shook her head at the two of us.

"I tell you my twin isn't normally so immature but, in this instant,—," she continued as I stopped mid-stir on my dish to tilt my head in disbelief. I mean she's meant to have my back. "Come on Alexander, you must have known he'd have informed someone of where he's going?"

"I was just—" I babbled as the man we were talking about walked in and instantly took my breath away.

"You were saying…," he interrupted, placing his hand on his hip. "We are both to blame."

"Yes, that sounds perfect," I uttered as Lewis leaned in and gave me a peck on the lips, before having to pull away to the clearing of throats. "Yes, I know… I'll get back to work." I gave Lewis a tap on his ass and continued stirring my ingredients.

You see in just under fifteen minutes we are due a huge influx of people to arrive for a summer party at our upgraded home we'd just purchased together on the very border of Hope Springs. I had been nervous about where we were situated with Lewis' hospital visits but in the end, a new cardiologist had moved to Hope Liberty Hospital and after hearing our predicament had agreed to help take him on as a new patient. I bloody owed the guy a huge favor if he ever needed one in the future.

A knock at the door threw me off my rhythm as I wiped my hands to go answer it, but Lewis smirked and rushed past me to let our guests in.

Familiar and newer faces started walking through the door and making their way out back.

I caught sight of Eli and Kellan's twin girls, Ana and Riley playing with Pip in the garden and smile at the image of how grown up they are when Lewis walks in with Cohen, his best friend from college.

"I think we'll go and take this lot outside," Eli announced, grabbing a couple of the salad bowls and nodding to Tess as she grabbed the other remaining salad bowl. "Give you a chance to talk."

"Thanks," I said softly with a small smile as the three of us took to sitting at the breakfast bar.

Cohen first reached out to Lewis just over six months ago when his life changed completely and he was medically discharged from the fire service. He had never fully gone into what happened when he was on active duty that day, but according to Lewis he's not the same guy he used to be. Who would be after the pain and suffering he's endured though?

I tried to suggest counseling, but you can imagine how that went, so instead the two of us did what we could and just be there for the guy with whatever he needed.

This was actually only the second time Cohen had accepted an invite to an event we'd held with a larger group of people. I think, by the way Lewis brought him straight in here, and not to meet the rest of the people outside, he was scared of his potential reaction to the amount of people here.

"Glad you came, man," Lewis uttered to him as Cohen stared at the wall deep in thought. "I wasn't sure if you?—"

"You invited me," he snapped back before turning to us and then dropping his head. "You did say." He began. "You?—"

"Hey Cohen…," I interrupted taking a deep breath. "You're always welcome here. You don't need an invite to come over. Lewis and I always said we would support you in any way we could."

"Then why would you ask if—" Cohen said choking up, trying to hold back the tears.

A cough in the air, made us look up as Blake sheepish grin bared back to us.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt. I was just wondering if I could take some drinks out for everyone.", Blake asked, making his way immediately into the kitchen. "Can I get the three of you one too?" he asked as Cohen lifted his head and their gazes caught one another and Blake's mouth dropped open before he quickly fixed his features.

"You…" he growled, pushing himself backward and quickly standing up. "I don't want anything from you Blake," he screamed, marching straight to the front door as Lewis and I did a double take between us and stared at Blake.

"Cohen, wait…," he shouted, placing the glasses back down on the sideboard and quickly passing past me. "Don't follow us. Either of you," he hissed as he chased after him.

"What the fuck is going on there?" I asked, looking completely confused at Lewis.

"I don't have a fucking clue." Lewis shook his head at me. "How the fuck does Cohen and Blake know each other?"

The End

Want to know what trauma and fears Cohen battled behind the flicker of the flames and how Blake came to rescue him? Then read Betting on Blake next.