Page 133 of Rum & Coke

There was a knock on the door. I stood back, anxiously waiting to make sure it was Melony. To my surprise, it was Mel and Sophia. I rushed to them and gave them both the biggest hugs I could manage.

“I missed you both so much.” A tear slid down my cheek.

“We’re happy you’re back,” Sophia replied.

“It really hasn’t been the same without you,” Melony stated.

“You have no idea.” I moved back to allow them to come into Vinny’s house. It was a two-story tract home. I hadn’t been upstairs yet, but what I could tell was it was a standard home with granite countertops and a two-car garage. To be honest, I expected it to be more lavish, given that he drove a nice car. It was nice, but at the same time, typical. Like a teacher would own.

Melony handed the bag from Target to me. “You two sit while I change and get Colton ready for bed.”

Vinny showed me upstairs where Colton could sleep. After his bath, I put Colt to bed. When I entered the room, it was like Christmas. Red and green lights danced on the ceiling and walls, and I almost cried again. It might not be the blue waves from Colton’s night light, but the movement of the lights would calm him. It was perfect. Vinny was perfect.

When I returned back downstairs, dressed in pajamas, my three friends were in Vinny’s living room laughing. I had to pause for a minute and remind myself that I wasn’t dreaming. I was home. I was with my people.

I was back where I belonged.

I stood at the bottom of the stairs, taking them all in. Vinny’s gaze moved to mine, and he motioned for me to come to him. I didn’t hesitate. I sat down beside him on his leather couch, and he pulled me against him, wrapping his arms around me.

“Vinny was just telling us what happened this evening,” Melony stated.

“And you thought it was funny?”

“No,” Sophia replied. “We laughed because Sebastian thought he’d won.”

“He invited me,” Vinny stated.

My eyes became huge. “He did? I thought you were there because of Joss?”

“Nope. Sebastian put the invitation on my doorstep because he wanted me to watch you marry him. Paul saw me there and took me to Joss, and then I found out the plan and was able to help.”

“I hope Sebastian doesn’t know where you live,” I confessed. “But Mateo did a lot of stuff for him, so he probably delivered it, and given that Mateo was undercover …”

“Well, hopefully, you’ll never have to see that fucker again,” Melony responded.

“What about you?” I asked. “Are you still dancing?”

“Yeah, but I’m starting at another club Thursday.”

“Which one?”

“Silverthorne.”

“I don’t know what I’m going to do,” I confessed. “I’m obviously not going back to Red Diamond, but I have nothing else.”

“We don’t need to think about that right now,” Vinny stated. He’d said that to me before, but I was still worried. “We just need to focus on getting you and Colton back in the groove of things. Plus, Colt needs to go back to school.”

“Sebastian had a teacher for him. We tried to keep up with his previous goals.”

“Really?” Vinny balked. “Also, don’t forget I’m still his kindergarten teacher.”

“You are?”

“Of course. The school year started a few weeks ago, and since you said he’s had a teacher, he’ll be on track to meet his goals. It’s you I’m worried about.”

“I’m fine,” I lied.

Sophia leaned forward and placed her hand on my knee. “You’re not. Whatever happened blew out the light in your eyes, but we’ll get it back just like everything else. You have us, and we’re here to take care of you.”