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Scott chewed a rather large bite of cake as he waved at Brady with his mouth full. He was so adorable when it came to chocolate.
“You okay?”
“Ugh, yes. There’s just this guy. He’s been coming to the shop for the past three days. He gets a coffee and sits here for hours, and I swear, every time I turn around, he’s staring right at me.”
My eyes widened as I turned to look out the window as if the man would still be around. There was no shortage of shitty people in this world, and since Brady wore his pride flag proudly, he could easily be a target of some homophobic asshole.
“Shit. Did he try something? What are you gonna do?”
“Can we help?” Scott added, and my heart warmed. He’d hung out with Brady a few times now, and I loved watching them get along since they meant so much to me.
“Nah, maybe he just needs a makeup tip or something. I’ll see if it continues, and if it does, I’ll confront him,” Brady said with a shrug.
“Be careful,” Scott said, and I grinned.
“Oh no. If that guy wants to pick a bone with Brady, he’ll realize Brady isn’t as sweet as all these desserts he sells.”
Scott quirked a brow at me so I explained, “Brady teaches self-defense at the charity with Angie. And let me tell you, he has some moves.”
Brady grinned smugly as he stood up and took a bow. “All righty, then. I need to get back to the kitchen. Enjoy your food.”
“Text me what happens with the man.”
“I will!” And within a few seconds, Brady was gone.
“Oh my god, that was the best damn chocolate cake I’ve ever eaten.” Scott groaned, rubbing his flat stomach as we stepped into the living room. I chuckled at his antics as he walked over to the couch and slumped on it.
“I’m going to freshen up. How about you set up the movies? I’ll grab some blankets on my way.”
“Perfect,” Scott sighed, and I headed over to our room. I changed into a pair of pajama shorts and one of Scott’s old t-shirts before tying my hair into a ponytail. Grabbing the extra blankets from the hall closet, I walked into the living room and over to the couch. Scott had the first movie up and ready to play, so I quickly settled down beside him on the deep couch. He curled his arm around me and pulled me closer to him. I sighed in contentment as I covered our feet with a blanket.
“Ready?” he murmured, his breath tickling my earlobe.
“Yes,” I replied in a breathless whisper, snuggling into him.
Scott pressed play, and as the familiar theme music played out, I sank back against his warmth and let the comfort of his presence wash over me. As Scott pressed a kiss to my temple, that now-familiar feeling of safety surrounded me in a cocoon. The knowledge that no matter how bad a day I had, I’d always get to return to the comfort of these arms seeped into my heart, and I embraced the feeling.
Scott was my safety net, my support system, and the love of my life. As long as I lived, I’d always come home to him.
Epilogue | Luke
Ithadbeenayear since we’d started dating, and even with all the ups and downs we had, it was the best year of my life. We were celebrating our anniversary by revisiting the place that had brought us together in a sense.
The pond water sparkled in the afternoon sunshine as I ran my fingers through it, smiling when I spotted the tiny fishes way at the bottom. I had absolutely no idea what kind of fish they were, but they looked pretty cute. I closed my eyes for a moment and let the warmth of the sun wash over me.
The past few months had been so full of happiness I still sometimes felt as if it was all a dream and I’d wake up just when I was finally getting used to it. But I was starting to realize that thiswasmy reality now. That the boy who’d lost everything at the age of seventeen could have everything now. And it was all thanks to Scott.
My weekly therapy sessions had been reduced to twice a month appointments because Monica believed I was getting better. I knew she was right, because I didn’t feel as heavy anymore. The anxiety still popped up in the strangest of places sometimes, but it didn’t cripple me as badly as it used to anymore.
I looked down at myself and traced the phoenix tattoo on my abdomen. I was wearing the crop top Scott had gotten me for Christmas. It may not have been the perfect hiking gear, but it was a good choice for the warm weather. Plus, I loved showing off my tattoo, especially to Scott. Over the past few months, we’d grown even closer, both emotionally and physically. We still hadn’t had penetrative sex, but I knew Scott didn’t mind, not just because Scott told me that every time I brought it up but because I could see it in his eyes. He didn’t mind if we never had sex like that and that only made me want to give that to him more. But I knew better than to push myself before I was ready, which was why I was letting it be for the time being. One day. One day, I’d share that with him.
“Luke?” Scott’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts and I looked up to see he was eye level with me. I looked down and realized he wasn’t sitting on a rock like me but instead on his knees.
“Scott? Why are you kneeling in the grass?”
Scott gave me a grin before stuffing his hand in his pocket. He cleared his throat before looking at me with a serious expression. “Luke, it’s been a year since we started dating and fourteen months since we met. I don’t want to wait anymore. I love you so much. I love cuddling and watching TV with you. I love reading books with you. I love hiking with you. I love doing all the boring household chores with you, and I want to keep doing all those things with you for the rest of my life.”
I covered my mouth with my palm as a gasp escaped me and tears gathered in my eyes. I’d known Scott loved me but I had not expected this. At all.
“I know we’ve had some hurdles in the past and we’ll probably have many in the future too, but I’m ready to fight through them together if you are. I promise to always be there for you and to do my best to make sure you’re always happy. I want to spend forever with you.” Scott took a deep breath, looked into my eyes and then asked the question. “Luke Smith, will you marry me? Will you be my husband?”
I took a deep breath and tried to get my emotions under control because Scott deserved more than a whispered yes. When I knew I wasn’t about to burst into tears, I grabbed his hand—the one that was holding the ring out to me—into both of mine. “Scott, this past year has been the best year of my life and it’s all because of you. I can’t imagine my life without you. I’d love to do all those things with you and more, for the rest of our lives. You’re my safe space, my home, and I never ever want to let you go. I promise to always be there for you too. I promise to bake you your favorite cookies when you’re down. I promise to love you with all of me for the rest of our lives. Scott, it’d be my pleasure to call you my husband.”
The tears were trailing down my cheeks by now and I’d never been happier. I steadied my hand and waited as he put the ring on my finger before he stood up and pulled me closer. I pressed myself against him, holding on tight as I buried my face in the crook of his neck. It had been a long, painful journey, but I’d finally found the person made just for me. I’d finally found my soulmate, my best friend, myfiancé, and I was never letting him go.
