Epilogue

EPILOGUE

ALEXA

“So, wait. You mean all of them are going to be in the middle of wilderness with no phones or service for the four days?”

Ava stands beside me, Mom, Millie, and Addy while we watch Dad pack the back of the SUV. He throws duffel bags in and talks to Uncle Julian about something serious. Shortly after, they both laugh before Masen joins them.

“I think Lex said we should have enough phone service to watch porn.”

I slap Eric’s arm. “He did not say that. Your lip reading is way off.”

Eric crosses his arms. “Um, excuse me? Remember the time I read my housekeeper Ken’s lips? He said he was jerking off in my bed because the sheets were soft. Of course, they were soft. There’s twenty-two-carat gold woven into the fabric!”

“You have gold sheets?” Addy questions him.

Ava rolls her eyes. “He thinks he’s an Arabian king. He won’t even have sex in that bed.”

“Hold on,” I interrupt. “So, you have a bed for sleeping and a bed for sex? You’re so high maintenance.”

“Sweetheart, tell me something I don’t know,” he chastises.

Dad decided to plan a camping trip for just the boys. Eric included until he found out there are no services or showers, and they’ll be sleeping in tents that they have to build themselves. His hard pass was confirmed at the blow-up mattress talk. After learning about his gold sheets, I’m really not surprised now.

“The trip is so the men can bond,” Mom tells us. “I think it’s a great idea.”

Rocky pulls up and hops out of the car with a big grin. “Where are my bitches at?”

Thankfully, he is looking at Dad, not us women, or else it would have come off as incredibly offensive.

Nikki walks toward us, hugging us all and then standing beside Mom while she complains about her husband. I’m glad they worked things out, but it wasn’t without shedding a million tears. Nikki apologized to both Mom and me, feeling horrible for getting involved and driving a wedge between our families. In ways, I didn’t blame her for protecting her son because, frankly, I would probably do the same. In the end, I’m glad we all talked, and things have gone back to normal.

“And this idea of camping and bonding all came about to welcome Hunter into the family,” Mom continues with a smile.

“You know, they could have just gone to a strip joint and called it a day,” I mumble.

Millie laughs beside me. “Oh, trust me. If Rocky is with them, they’ll find one. Probably some seedy place on the interstate with a questionable restroom and seasoned strippers.”

“You mean old?” Ava mocks. “With saggy tits down to their knees. So loose they can swing em’ around their necks.”

We all laugh in unison as we continue to watch them load the cars.

“Thank God Austin is going in case there’s a medical emergency,” I say, watching Rocky load cases of liquor in the trunk. “That’s a lot to drink.”

Uncle Noah is the last to arrive. Apparently, of all of them, he is the most experienced camper. I glance over at Hunter and Will talking, unknowingly, with a smile on my face.

It’s been three months since Hunter and I officially moved in together with our son. Luckily, Hunter’s apartment is next to campus. UCLA accepted my enrolment, and everything just worked itself out. Granted, it’s a one-bedroom, but Elijah is still so small he sleeps in the crib beside us.

As much as I wanted to spend more time with Hunter, work is so busy. I had this gut feeling it wasn’t so much there was more work. Instead, he feels the pressure to perform, given Dad is a silent owner.

I shouldn’t complain. Dad has made an effort to welcome Hunter to the family, and thank God they actually get along. However, Will and Hunter have suddenly become besties. They’re so alike. It’s actually quite scary.

“Look.” Millie nudges me. “The two besties are at it again. They’ve probably called dibs in the car sitting next to each other.”

“Yeah, or tent buddies.” I laugh.

“Are we ready, gentlemen?” Dad announces.

I walk over to where Hunter is standing and pull him away from Will.

“There’s a lot of testosterone. Don’t let Rocky fool you into doing anything stupid. Also, when he tells you a story about the blonde Marilyn Monroe teacher he kissed in high school, just know he leaves out the bit about her Adam’s apple.”

Hunter grins. “Got it. It’ll be fun.”

I touch his hand and place it in mine. “And this weekend, you’re okay with what I’m doing?”

He moves closer to me, running the back of his hand on my cheek.

“Perfectly fine. I love you.”

“I love you, too,” I whisper with a smile.

We knew a show of affection while saying goodbye in front of all of my family would be challenging, so we made sure to say our proper goodbyes at home.

In bed, in the shower, then a last-minute blow job against the refrigerator. Being on birth control is the best thing we did, given Hunter’s obsession with going bareback was driving him crazy. The man is insatiable, but I ain’t complaining at all. As for the shower sex, I have a newfound appreciation for it.

Hunter kisses Elijah on the head before heading back to the SUV. Will says something to him, and they both hop in the back of Dad’s SUV. Uncle Noah is driving the second one.

“Let’s do this,” Rocky roars.

Eric places his hand on his chest and turns to Nikki. “Such a caveman.”

“You should see him wearing a toga. His co—”

I purposely block my ears, knowing their conversation will leave me scarred for life.

The engines roar, then they honk their horns as we all wave. Nikki walks toward me and lifts Elijah from my arms.

“We are going to have the best day, little boy,” she coos into his face before smothering him with kisses. “Go have fun, honey. We’ll be right here waiting for you when you come back.”

“You know, considering it’s supposed to be the happiest place on Earth. You don’t look happy.”

We’re standing in front of Space Mountain, and Beau has been staring at it for a solid five minutes.

“I just need a minute,” he mumbles.

“A minute? Or a sick bag?”

He crosses his arms beneath his chest. “I was eight and had eaten a pretzel, candy apple, and fairy floss. Can you blame me?”

“Do you need a lifeline? Call a friend?” I tease, then touch his arm. “We don’t have to do it if you don’t want.”

Beau shakes his head. “No, you’re right. I must conquer my fear.”

He takes a deep breath and motions for us to join the line. We have our fast passes, so the wait isn’t long for us. When we reach the front, Beau looks pale.

The worker directs us to the front of the ride, so we jumped in and performed all the safety measures. He moves on to the next people behind us.

I turn to look at Beau. He looks terrified. Reaching over, I hold his hand tight, which forces him to open his eyes.

“Hey, we got this,” I remind him. “Once it’s done. You’re going to wonder why you were so scared.”

He stares into my eyes as I nod to reassure him. Then, his lips curve upward into a smile and, finally, into a laugh.

Beau raises my hand and kisses it. “We’ve got this.”

And with the rollercoaster beginning to move and warnings for us to prepare for launch, we reach the part where the carriage is about to drop.

I turn to look at Beau at the same time he looks at me. We both laugh in unison before letting out an excited scream.

We had it.

I knew we always would.