Page 85 of My Three Hometown Alphas

They are words that will probably only ever exist in my head, because how could I say them aloud when the possibility of a future just doesn’t exist?

Right?

Right.

Leaving Lyla, Owen, Miles, and Will is going to mean leaving a piece of my heart here that I’m never going to get back, but they aren’t the only things I’m going to miss.

I’m going to miss this whole town. Aspen Springs has become a solace for me in a time I desperately needed it.

I’m going to miss all the people who have been so kind and welcoming. I’m going to miss the sound of the breeze rustling through the aspen leaves. I’m going to miss the peace this place has brought me.

I’m going to miss… all of it.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Will

Lyla’sdramatic groaning is the first thing I hear when I walk through the door. “No,” she says, dragging the word out. She flops backward from where she’s sitting on the floor in the living room. She throws her arm over her face to cover her eyes.

Wow… someone give this girl an Oscar.

Avery starts laughing from her spot on the opposite side of the coffee table. “You win some. You lose some,” she says, moving a few pieces around on the game they’re playing.

“I’m not a fan of the losing part,” Lyla groans, still laying on the floor.

“No one is,” Avery says. “Get back up here, and maybe you’ll beat me next time.”

I know Avery’s noticed I’m here, but with her antics Lyla hasn’t. As quietly as I can, I slide out of my wet boots and leave them by the door. I’m soaked from head to toe because of the storm rolling through outside.

I tiptoe around the couch until I’m standing over Lyla. Her arm’s still draped over her eyes, so she doesn’t see me reach down and tickle her.

Her hand flies up, hitting me in the face. She screams, trying to squirm away from me. I grab her, pulling her in for a hug.

“No!” she continues to scream. “You’re all wet. Let me go!”

“No, I need a hug,” I say, holding her against my chest.

“Avery, help me,” Lyla squeals.

I turn to look at the other woman in the room. She’s smiling over at us with warmth in her eyes that wasn’t there before.

“If she comes to rescue you, she’s going to get it, too,” I say.

“Fine by me,” Lyla says, still trying to wiggle out of my hold.

“Wow… thanks,” Avery says, rolling her eyes at my niece.

Lyla goes dead weight and manages to get free. She sprints toward the kitchen, hollering something about getting candy as payment for getting wet as she disappears.

When I crawl over to Avery, I expect her to try to get away, but she doesn’t. She willingly leans into me as my arm wraps around her.

My damp clothes and all—she doesn’t seem to care.

“You okay?” I ask, leaning back against the sectional behind me.

“I’m alright. I just really like your hugs. I guess Lyla was right about them.”

I can hear Lyla banging around in the kitchen still, so I know we have another minute of privacy. I press my lips to her forehead.