30. Ayla

30

AYLA

T he blindfold slips off and I blink, my eyes adjusting to the bright sunlight. Clay, Teller, and Kip stand before me, their faces alight with excitement. “Surprise!” they chorus in unison.

My jaw drops as I take in the scene around me. Colorful kayaks rest on the shore of a pristine lake, the water sparkling invitingly under the warm sun. A picnic basket sits nearby, overflowing with treats. My heart swells with emotion. “What... what is all this?” I manage to say, my voice barely above a whisper.

Clay steps forward, his confident smile making my pulse quicken. “Happy birthday, Ayla,” he says softly, his deep-set eyes shining with affection. “We wanted to do something special for you.”

Kip grins, his sandy blond hair tousled by the gentle breeze. “Jamie’s got Piper for the day, so it’s just us. We’re taking you kayaking!”

“I can’t believe you did all this for me,” I murmur, fighting back happy tears. No one has ever gone to such lengths to surprise me before, to make me feel so cherished and cared for. I think back to forgotten birthdays, to making a wish late at night for things to get better in my room as I hear my mom crying again, and every year it felt like it was getting worse.

Teller approaches, his usually stoic face softened by a small smile. He takes my hand, his touch warm and reassuring. “You deserve it, Ayla. You’re always taking care of everyone else. Today, let us take care of you.”

I nod, unable to find the words to express the depths of my gratitude.

Shadow bounds ahead, his tail wagging furiously as he takes in the new sights and smells. His excitement is contagious, and I feel a grin spreading across my face. “I’ve never gone kayaking before,” I admit, watching as Clay and Kip unload the gear from the truck.

Teller squeezes my hand, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Then you’re in for a treat. It’s peaceful out on the water, just you and nature.”

“And us,” Clay adds with a wink, handing me a life jacket. “Can’t forget about your dashing boyfriends.”

Boyfriends. The plural version of that word is still so weird to me.

As I slip on the life jacket, I catch Kip’s gaze, his soft smile sending a flutter through my chest.

We carry the kayaks down to the water’s edge, the anticipation building with each step. Shadow prances around our feet, his enthusiasm infectious. I take a moment to breathe in the fresh air, to let the tranquility of the surroundings wash over me.

“Ready?” Teller asks, holding out a hand to help me into my kayak.

I nod, grasping his hand firmly. “Ready.”

As we push off from the shore, the gentle rocking of the kayak beneath me, I feel a sense of freedom, of unbridled joy. The water sparkles in the sunlight, a kaleidoscope of blues and greens. Shadow paddles alongside us, his tongue lolling out in a happy grin.

Laughter echoes across the lake as we navigate our way through the gentle currents. Kip and Clay engage in good-natured banter, their voices carrying over the water. Teller paddles beside me, a serene expression on his face.

“This is incredible,” I breathe, trailing my fingers through the cool water. “I feel so... free.”

Teller’s eyes meet mine, a warmth in their depths that makes my heart skip a beat. “That’s the magic of being out here.”

I nod, understanding exactly what he means. Out here, with the boys and Shadow, I feel a sense of belonging, of peace. The worries and fears that usually plague me seem distant, insignificant in the face of this perfect moment.

The sun dips lower in the sky, painting the world in hues of gold and orange, as we reluctantly make our way back to shore. My muscles ache in the most satisfying way, a testament to the day’s adventures. Shadow bounds ahead, shaking the water from his fur and barking excitedly.

“I think someone’s ready for round two,” Kip chuckles, ruffling Shadow’s ears affectionately.

“I don’t know about round two,” I laugh, stretching my arms above my head, “but I could definitely go for some birthday cake right about now.”

Clay’s eyes sparkle with mischief as he slings an arm around my shoulders. “Oh, I think we can arrange that. But first, we have to pick up Piper. She won’t want to miss out.”

I laugh. “I don’t think she’s supposed to be eating cake.”

“She doesn’t know that.”

When we step through the door, the laughter dies on my lips, replaced by a gasp of wonder. The living room is awash in the soft glow of candlelight, the air heavy with the sweet scent of vanilla and sugar. And there, in the center of it all, is a cake - a beautiful, decadent creation of chocolate and cream, adorned with a delicate spiral of candles.

“Happy birthday, Ayla,” Clay murmurs, his voice low and warm in my ear. “We wanted to make sure your day ended just as perfectly as it began.”

I turn to face them, my eyes brimming with tears. “You guys... I don’t even know what to say. This is too much.”

Kip grins, the candlelight dancing in his blue eyes. “Nonsense. Nothing’s too much for our girl.”

Teller nods, a rare smile gracing his usually stoic features. “You deserve all this and more, Ayla. We just wanted to show you how much you mean to us.”

I look around at their faces, these men who have become my family, my everything, in such a short amount of time. I never thought I’d have this. Didn’t think I deserved it and yet here I am surrounded by people who want me to be happy. The emotion swells in my chest, threatening to overflow, and I have to take a shaky breath before I can speak.

And then they are surrounding me, their arms wrapping around me in a tight embrace. I feel the press of their bodies, the warmth of their skin, and I am home. This is where I belong. Kip kisses my head as we part and I wipe a tear from my eye.

The doorbell chimes, startling me out of my blissful reverie. I glance at the boys, my brow furrowed in confusion. Who else could we be expecting?

“That must be your birthday present,” Kip teases, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Better go see what it is.”

Teller nods, a sly grin tugging at his lips. “Yeah, Ayla. Don’t keep your gift waiting.”

Excitement bubbles up inside me, and I bounce on my toes. “You guys didn’t have to get me anything else. This day has been perfect already.”

“Just go answer the door,” Clay laughs, giving me a gentle nudge. “We promise it’s worth it.”

Heart racing with anticipation, I practically skip to the front door. I can’t believe they’ve planned another surprise for me. These boys - these wonderful, amazing boys - never cease to amaze me with their thoughtfulness.

I swing open the door, a huge smile plastered on my face. But the moment I see who’s standing on the other side, my stomach drops like a stone.

“Lila,” I whisper, my voice barely audible over the sudden roaring in my ears. “What... what are you doing here?”