Epilogue

10 Years Later

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Lexi

“Coffee for Lesley,” the barista calls out, and I walk up to the cart to collect my drinks. Lesley is kinda similar to Lexi, I guess.

“Thanks,” I say with a smile, taking the to-go cups and looking for Ryder. I spot him over by a trash can, holding a leash in one hand and wiping his shirt with a wad of napkins in the other.

“What happened to you?” I ask, looking at the large coffee stain on his white shirt.

“Some dude totally walked into me on purpose and spilled his drink. Fucker.” He throws the napkins into the trash and looks at me. “He then asked for my number. Can you believe that?”

“I can actually.” I hand him his coffee. “He was trying to manufacture a meet-cute.”

“Like from a rom-com?” His jaw drops. “I’m wearing a fucking wedding ring. I hope he always cuts his nails too short right before he puts together a puzzle.”

I laugh and lean in for a kiss. He slips his tongue past my lips, making me groan like I always do. A little yelp gets my attention, and I look down at our retriever/dachshund mix.

“I’m sorry, Regina. Did I not give you attention?” I ask, bending to give her scratches and a puppichino. I smile as she laps it up. I look up to find Ryder grinning at us.

It’s been a great ten years. My dads started their own cheer club for all ages, and I joined them four years ago. There are quite a few clubs now, and there’s talk about creating a league. It’s my perfect job. I get to cheer and help people learn and enjoy cheering. Even Ryder took a few classes and loved it. The best part is that the club is only one town over from Flora Vista, so we got to live on the beach and still stay close enough that Ryder could work at Garrett’s garage.

Which he co-owns now. It’s perfect because Garrett has more time for a personal life, and Ryder is enjoying putting his degree, as well as his love of cars, to use.

We still see all our cheer queers. Tucker and Gio are literally our next-door neighbors.

We still have our movie nights with Kait. Except they are now monthly, and we only watch one movie because there is no way I’m putting a movie on after nine p.m.

It’s been a whirlwind decade. There have been fights and stress, but we always come out the other side together. I’ve loved Ryder for fourteen years, and I would do it all again. The pining, the longing. I would do it all again to end up here where we belong.

Together.

The End.

Interested in what might be going on with Gio and Tucker? Their story Restless, is available for pre-order.

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