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“I said… Yes, but the feeling was mutual. You made me so damn happy. So, she nodded and walked away from me toward the living room.”
“She was always really nice to me,” Asher mumbles, scratching across his chest. “I don’t think I was over there as much as you guys, but she always smiled at me when I was by.” He swallows hard, looking deep into my eyes. “I’m so sorry you lost her like you did. Especially after being away with us at the Castle house.”
“Castle house? I wanna go to a castle!” Lyric pipes up, reminding us of what happened at that damn house.
Her.
Kieran chuckles. “Maybe we can vacation to an actual castle sometime soon. Okay?”
“Yes, Daddy! I want swords and armor! I want to sleep in a castle like a princess.” She grins when he chuckles, ruffling her hair.
“Of course, Little Blue. Anything for you.”
“Thanks, guys. For coming here with us and for bringing flowers. It means a lot you’re here now,” I whisper as more tears well in my eyes.
“We missed it the first time, Pretty Girl. So, here we are now. We wanted to celebrate Stella’s life.”
“And Katy’s,” Kieran murmurs, locking eyes with Asher, who stiffens.
“Thanks, man,” Asher murmurs, rubbing a hand across his chest. “Means a lot.”
“She was your mom, bro. I never knew Katy, but I’m sure she was the bomb,” Rad proclaims.
“She made daddy pancakes, too!” Lyric giggles. “Just like daddy makes me.” She beams when he grins.
“All right, River Blue. How about we all go out for a nice dinner?” Kieran asks, looking around at the boys, who nod.
“Pizza?” Lyric asks with hope.
“If that’s what you want, Little Blue. We can go to Tuscany. They’ve got it all. Pizza, pasta… Whatever your heart desires.”
“Yay! Let’s go!” she shouts, jumping up as we all rise. Grabbing hold of Kieran’s hand, she drags him back to his car as the others follow.
“Asher,” I whisper, clinging to his arm as he stops dead.
“What’s up?” he questions, swallowing hard.
“I want you to know something,” I whisper, moving into his space. We stand chest to chest. Our breaths hitch together.
“What is it?” he questions with furrowed brows. “Are you okay? Did I cross a line? I didn’t mean—” The moment my lips touch his, he shuts up, staring at me with wide eyes until he relaxes. His fingers brush through my hair, desperately holding me close.
“I forgive you,” I whisper against his lips. “Don’t beat yourself up anymore. What you did is in the past. I’ll remember it forever, Evil Ash. I’ll remember how it made me feel. But I don’t want to hold a grudge against you anymore. What you did sucked, but you’re… You’re so different, and I forgive you for what you did. I want to move forward with this relationship. You’re so important to Ly… And to me.” I swallow hard when his grip tightens in my hair, and a whine slips through his lips.
“Oh, Little Brat,” he chokes out. “I really don’t deserve that, baby,” he whispers. “I fucked up so hard. I’m…so fucking sorry for what I did. I don’t—”
“You deserve forgiveness, Asher. You did a bad thing. But it doesn’t mean you’re an evil guy. You were desperate. Your abusive father and stepmother were going to force you into something you didn’t want to do. Could you have done it differently and talked to me? Yes. You could have. But, Ash. I’m ready to forgive. I feel it in my heart,” I murmur, thumping a fist against my chest. “Are you ready to forgive yourself?” I whisper, putting my palm against his rapidly beating heart.
“Little Brat,” he whispers with tears falling down his cheeks. “Yes. If that’s what you want, I’m ready to move forward. But just know, I’ll forever prove to you that what I did was the biggest mistake of my life,” he whispers, cupping my jaw in his palms. “The biggest regret I’ll ever have is leaving you behind. It was the dumbest thing anyone ever could have done.”
“I believe you,” I whisper, wiping away the tears on my cheeks. “Now, let’s get some Italian food and continue going forward.”
“One day at a time,” he whispers, leaning in to brush his lips against mine again in a soft embrace.
“One day at a time,” I whisper my declaration when he takes my hand, pulling me toward the cars.
The other three guys watch us with neutral expressions. Their arms are resting across their chest, taking us in as we walk up hand in hand.
“I forgive you all,” I say softly. “I don’t want this grudge to come between us anymore. I know it’s only been a short time. Our time here on Earth is never promised. I don’t want to go to sleep anymore with this anger I’ve held.”
