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“We will be with you every step of the way on this journey,” Seven reassures.
“From the moment you stepped into Texas.” Dekker blows out a breath. “Like a magnet to you.” He runs a hand down his face.
“I think what they are trying to say, what we are all trying to say is, you’re stuck with us, Princess. This was where you wanted to go, and this is where you should get your degree from. We can help financially if you need us to, but we just want you to thrive. To do what you love. With us by your side.” Xayden smiles down at me.
“But I-I don’t… everything is so confusing and messy. Where am I going to live? All the stuff with my mom, I just… I don’t know.”
Dekker places a finger under my chin and makes me look at him. “We have stepped away from the fraternity and now have an apartment right off campus for all of us. You can’t start hereuntil fall of next year. This gives you plenty of time to work out everything else. And you have us to help.”
“Wait, you left the frat?” My eyes widen. The fraternity was their life, it was part of them. I can’t believe what I am hearing.
“Yeah, it’s not for us,” Seven confirms. “With all the shit that went down, we didn’t want that connection to our fathers. Not anymore. So, we left. We don’t need it, Rory. But we do need you.”
“And I am sorry. I know I have apologized so many times, but you have no idea how much it eats at me that I tried to hate you. I never hated you. As much of a dick as I was, there was never an ounce of hate in me for you. I liked you. Fuck, the minute you walked into the house, I was instantly drawn to you. I never hated you. I’m so sorry, Rory.” Xayden presses his lips to mine, and a warmness spreads in my heart.
I pull back slightly. “Xay, you keep apologizing, but I have already forgiven you. I understand. The complications from it all. I understand why you tried to push me away. Please, I forgive you.”
He frowns. “You don’t understand. Sometimes I feel like if I had acted different, maybe I could’ve seen this happening. I could’ve stopped all this. I was so pissed that they got married, so angry that I was losing my father, I didn’t even notice that I had already lost him to whatever crazy scheme he was involved in.”
A tear falls from his eye. I know he is still trying to process all that happened.
He told me about the photos that he found in his dad’s office. Which we later found out was something his dad was using to help get me out and away from my mother.
Even the Mustang had a tracking device on it. Aaron was a grade-A asshole.
“It’s over now. Let’s just pick up the pieces and move on. We can mourn our losses but learn how to survive in the reality we now live in.” I rest my hands on his chest.
“Come on, Angel. Let’s go tour this building.” Dekker beckons me over to him.
Xayden leans in. “Let’s go, Miss Future Architect.” He places a hand on the small of my back, and I reach out and grab Dekker’s hand.
We slowly make our way up to the front of the building, and Seven runs and holds the door open for us. I take a deep breath before walking inside.
And yet the moment I cross the threshold, something comes over me. The cool air from the vents hit me, and the sound of students in the building excite me. This is where I belong.
This is the next chapter of my life.
Epilogue
AURORA
“Are you ready?”Addy excitedly jumps up and down as we stand in front of the Thomas and Mack Center.
I am dressed in a red graduation gown while underneath is a cute black cocktail dress that falls to just below my knees. I have some black ballet flats on that definitely provide more comfort than all the women wearing heels today. Comfort is the name of the game.
“I can’t believe it’s finally here.” I turn and look at the giant event center where UNLV holds their graduation ceremonies every year.
People are gathered everywhere around the front of it taking pictures with friends and family.
“Where are your men?” Addy looks around.
My men. It’s been almost three years since the death of my mother. Since that horrible night she died at the hands of monsters.
It has taken me a long time to get my head above water with all that happened. Xayden, Seven and Dekker have all been there to help me through it.
And our love blossomed as we continue to grow together.
“They’re coming. They dropped me off and went to go park the car.”