Page 97 of My Three Hometown Alphas

He grumbled in his sleep but eventually let her go. With her wrapped in my arms, I was finally able to drift off to sleep for a few hours.

I feel her yawn against my chest before I peel my eyes open to peek down at her. She looks gorgeous.

Her hair looks just like it should after all three of us continuously ran our fingers through it for hours on end. Her face is free of any make-up, and I’ve never seen anything more beautiful.

I am so in love with her. It feels almost impossible to feel this much for one person. I love my siblings, my parents, and Lyla so much, but this is something entirely different.

She is the love of my life. I had an inkling the first time we met that I would never find anyone else who made me feel the way I did around her. Now, I know it without a shadow of a doubt.

She is my person. Unfortunately, I don’t get to keep her forever.

“Morning,” she whispers.

“Morning, angel,” I say, kissing her temple. I gently run my thumb over the slight puffiness under her eyes from crying last night.

It’s a slight balm to my soul, knowing this is killing her, too. It doesn’t take any of it away, though.

“Is everyone else still asleep?” she asks.

I peek over her shoulder. Will and Miles are still passed out. “Yeah,” I answer her.

“Do you want to run to the store with me?” she asks.

“Now?”

“I have to do it now…” The rest of the thought trails off, but we both know what she means. She has to do it now because she won’t be here this afternoon.

“Why are we going to the store this early in the morning?” I ask.

“I want to get some chalk for Lyla, for her wall,” she says.

Pain flares in my heart. I love how much she loves Lyla, but it breaks my heart to see that relationship end, too.

“Okay, let’s go,” I say, peeling the covers away from both of us. I groan quietly as I stand, getting a view of her naked body. “You need to get dressed before I decide to worship your body instead of taking you to the store.”

She takes my hand, letting me pull her to stand. “I don’t think my body could take any more.”

She’s probably right. There are no words to adequately describe what it was like to watch her come over and over and over again last night. She is a goddess existing among us mere mortals.

We both find our clothes and slide into them. I write a quick note, leaving it on the nightstand next to Will’s head.

At least he won’t freak out if he wakes up and we’re both gone. Knowing him, he’d probably think I left with her.

Not that the thought hasn’t crossed my mind many times over the last few weeks. I can’t, though. My family is here. Lyla is here. The store is here.

This is where my entire life is. It sucks, but it is what it is.

The drive passes in peaceful silence with only the radio quietly playing in the background. Inside the grocery store, she grabs a few different types of chalk, a dozen donuts, and a jug of chocolate milk.

Don’t fucking cry in the middle of the store. Don’t fucking cry.

On the way home, she buckles herself into the middle of the bench seat. Her head rests on my shoulder the entire drive as she hums along to the country songs trailing out from the speakers.

I put the milk in the fridge while she arranges the donuts and chalk on the counter. She grabs some of Lyla’s markers and construction paper from the living room to write her a note.

Lyles,

Thank you for letting me spend this summer with you. I have made so many memories that I’m never going to forget. You’ve become my best friend, and there will always be a spot in my heart just for you.