Page 26 of See Through

“He asked you to choose… What, between him and me?”

I nod, a sly smile spreading over his face because, obviously, Shane isn’t here anymore, and he is.

“It was unfair, and that’s why I broke up with him, but also, it didn't make me ache losing him. When I thought about losing you, I-I couldn’t breathe. That’s probably when I should've realized maybe I felt something more for you.”

“Baby.” He sits on the edge of his bed. “Just know I would have understood if you chose him, but I’m also really glad you’re still in my life. I don’t really know how to react right now, but I hate that he made you do that. That wasn’t fair to you.”

“I know. That’s mainly the reason I broke up with him. The other part of me knew I couldn’t lose you.”

His smile brightens up the room we're in, as if he had opened the curtains and brought the sun in.

“I would have hated to lose you too, but I would have understood it. The only thing I care about is if you’re happy, and if that would have made you happy, then⁠—”

“It wouldn't have.”

“Then I’m proud of you for knowing yourself well enough to respect your own boundaries, and I’m so grateful I can be yours now.”

“Oh, you’re mine? Is that how we’re phrasing it?” I giggle.

“That’s the perfect way to describe it.” He leans forward and presses a kiss to my forehead. “I’m your boyfriend if you want something more typical.”

“I was going to ask if last night made things official or not. Glad you seem to be clearing it up for me already.”

“If you're uncomfortable with me using that, then I’ll stop.”

“I’m not.” My stomach is swirling, and I almost feel a little lightheaded at what he’s saying. “You’re my boyfriend, Dean. My best friend. My person. You’re everything all in one.”

“One of these days, I’m going to faint at you saying that to me, but not this time. Say it again.”

I roll my eyes at him. “You’re my boyfriend. Dean Atwater is my boyfriend.”

He throws his head back, his feet fluttering in front of him. “Aubrey Spencer is my girlfriend. Officially. Now, let me make my beautiful girlfriend breakfast.”

“Okay,” I laugh. This morning is something out of a dream I never knew I wanted, but being here with him, in his space, talking things out…I can’t believe I never saw it before. He was my best friend, and he still is, but now, he’s more. Now, I get parts of him I didn’t before, and I’m so excited to discover more about this man I thought I already knew.

I grab his hand, and he leads me into the kitchen, the one I know like the back of my hand. He pulls a small barstool out for me, and I sit down. Every time I try to get up, he gives me a look, so I stay where I am.

“I can help.”

“I know you can, but this is me treating you to breakfast. Let me dote on you. It’s all I’ve wanted to do since I met you, Aubs.”

“Okay.”

We eat breakfast together, Dean unable to take his eyes off me as I eat, and it’s one of the best mornings I’ve ever had. Normally, I wake up, slug myself out of bed, and try my best to get ready for the day without thinking about my parents or my brother or any of the other terrible shit that’s happened to me.

This morning felt light. It felt like a new chapter, a fresh start. It felt easy, and, for the first time in a long time, there’s no weight on my chest—or maybe it’s still there and it’s less noticeable. I bet that’s it, but that’s normally what being around Dean feels like.

I don’t know how I didn’t know I wanted more when all the signs were right in front of me.

“What are you thinking about?”

“How much of an idiot I am,” I scoff. “You were right in front of me the entire time, and I only just now saw you like this. You’ve always been my best friend, Dean, but this is the first time I’m seeing you in a different way. Somehow, you’ve become an even better, more thoughtful person. I didn’t think that was possible.”

“Guess you’ve been seeing right through me, but not anymore. Not after I stopped hiding how I really felt about you. That’s partially my fault.”

“You were see-through, hiding how you truly felt, and now, you’re in front of me, clear as day.”

“Like one of those ghosts we investigate.” He smirks.