And in the aftermath of Adrianna’s chaos and the discovery of the real will, everything played out as it should. Adrianna’s been charged with numerous counts of forgery, grand theft, fraud, perjury, falsification of evidence, and assault. According to Everett, she’s likely going away for a long time, especially with the case they’ve built against her.
Honestly, I don’t know if I care to hear when she gets out. All I truly care about is being with my family now and knowing that everything worked out in the end. She lost and will now spend time in a place she never could’ve imagined. But that’s what evil stepmothers get.
“I’ll never be able to thank you enough.” Myra tears me from my thoughts, and I notice the place is filling up with customers. She pulls me into a side hug with tears in her eyes.
“You already have.” I grin, leaning into her, my heart full. “Now, just enjoy it.”
“You too, sweetie.” She plants a sweet kiss on my temple.
A purr draws out attention to the floor. Myra bends down and picks up her recently adopted cat, Duke. Wearing a cute tutu, he nestles against Myra’s chest, clearly loving his new life.
Jules is speaking to a girl across the room, helping her into a fitting room. Then she glances over at us, beaming with pride. I can see the joy in her smile. She’s not only proud of us, but of her mom, who is taking risks and chasing her dreams.
Customers continue to file in, and during the few short hours we’re open for today, we nearly sell out completely. At least that’s the message I get as I’m walking with Blair and Alora into the Kensington Arena for Dean and Asher’s game tonight.
We invited Jules, but she wants to spend the night with her mom, and I can’t blame her. I get a notification on my phone, telling me my delivery has arrived at the boutique. A moment later, my phone rings with a video call. It’s Jules.
“Hello?” I answer.
“Oh my God! Ciri, these are so beautiful! Thank you!” Jules cries out, admiring the big floral bouquets and chocolates I had delivered.
“Of course. Enjoy your girls’ night! You guys deserve the world.” I smile, following Blair and Asher inside. “I love you.”
“We love you too.” She blows kisses into the phone before hanging up.
I quickly pull up the game pass on my phone and present it to the attendee.
Alora studies my jersey, and I feel so goddamn proud. “You know you’re going to have to make me one of those, right? But with Malik’s name and number, obviously.”
I snort. “Yeah, I figured. And of course.”
Blair admires my work as we walk through security, our bags rapidly checked and our bodies scanned with the tall machines.
Asher and Dean each gave me one of their jerseys, and being the seamstress I am, I took some creative liberties. For starters, I cut them both apart horizontally, right below the shoulders, arching just below their names on the back. I sewed white lace to the corrected edges, creating a top part of the outfit.
But with the two bodies of the jerseys, I made a corset that laces up at the sides. I couldn’t sacrifice the back because I needed it to be legible with Asher’s number in plain view whileDean’s was on my chest. I might have giggled a little while making it, as that seems to be a position we all favorite.
I paired my two-piece jersey with black jeans and sparkly heeled booties, and my hair is in loose waves, pinned back at the sides. This outfit is going to be hard to top.
We grab a few snacks, and surprisingly, the number of girls who scowl at me the entire time does little to get under my skin as we head to our seats.
Every now and then, I struggle some days more than others, but I’m getting a lot more used to being in the spotlight and dating the two princes of campus, especially after the guys brought me to every class I had the past two weeks, barely leaving my side.
We wander down the long hallway, passing giant, oversize wall stickers of some of the players. Alora looks longingly at Malik’s intimidating stare. And I can’t help but smile with her.
I’ve spent more time with these girls lately, including at the last couple of games, and they’re pretty goddamn special. I think we’re going to become great friends.
A sexy whistle blows out as we walk down the stairs, heading to the first row by our boys’ bench. Dean and Asher skate over mid-warm-ups, their eyes wide when they see what I’m wearing.
Griffin and Malik join them, each waving and blowing kisses at their girls.
Asher motions with his hand for me to spin around, and I do, trying not to look at the huge, growing crowd. “That’s so sick! Both of our numbers. But I’m on her back, loud and proud.” He smirks.
I giggle, knowing that in Dean’s and Asher’s minds right now, they are also thinking about other reasons they love this outfit and the specific placement of their numbers.
Griffin nods in approval after briefly glancing over, and Malik can’t be bothered to look away from Alora.
“Kick some ass,” I shout at them through the glass, my smile uncontrollably big.
