Mase gives me an encouraging look and I lift the lid off the box. I pull out aheapof clothing and hold it up.
Laughter bubbles out and the guys join me.
Luc helps me lay out all the cheesy, sarcastically quoted t-shirts in various colours and styles on bed. I instantly find my favourite and decide I have to wear it today. Alotof them are about angels.
"He had a lot of fun ordering them," Maverick tells me, sitting up.
Mase nods quickly, almost bouncing on the bed. I climb out of the sheets and Mase wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me into his lap.
I lean back into his arms. "Thank you, Mase." I lay my head back to meet his eyes.
Jace shuffles up to lay where I was.
Mason drags the bag closer to me and hands me something else.
I'm passed around to everyone as I open their presents.
Dominic gives me a gift certificate to his favourite tattoo place. I sense his intention instantly. I almost immediately start thinking about where I want my brother's name inked into my skin.
It's not the first time in the last few days that I've remembered it's not just my birthday but it's also Dec's. It hits the guys too. Mason doesn't let us get stuck in the sadness too long.
Maverick got me a kindle with all the guys' favourite books on it. I fawn over that for ages while he shows me how to use it.
Luc got me a phone. He tells me Alec got it all set up and it's programmed with all their numbers and others they thought I would need.
Alec steals me from Luc to show me how to use some of the security apps he designed especially for the group. It still amazes me how smart he is. They also hook my phone up to the security cameras I didn't even realise the house had, just in case of emergencies. Alec assures me that there’s none in the bathrooms or my room but I wasn’t concerned. I trust them.
"Okay, so these are sort of from me and Alec," Mase announces. He looks almost nervous—unusual for my happy, outgoing friend. I regret the use of that word instantly.
I glance up at Alec who smiles and boops my nose.
Mase fingers a cardboard box for a moment before handing it over. He takes a deep breath and seems to hold the air in as I gently open the box.
I gasp as I pull out two cases. One to my new phone, the other to my kindle.
"They're gorgeous," I breathe as I take in the stunning designs.
My kindle case seems like a group mix. In swirling hues of blue, purple, orange and pink is a beautiful Butterfly, ink dripping off its delicate wings. The dark purple around the edges of the intricate creature almost fade into black against the lighter pink and blue sections.
"There's several software apps available for taking a drawing and turning it into an image you can put on something," Alec explains. "Mason did the drawings and I scanned them into my computer. Mason edited them on an app and then they went onto the cases."
I take in every detail of the case before I move on to the other. Oh my god.
Reaching down the length of the phone case is a feathered white and gold angel wing.
"Mase, this is amazing," I tell him, quietly. I can almost feel my throat closing up.
It’s feathers are a bright, pure white with a gold light that almost shines from behind the wing. The first few rows of feathers at the tops are gold and as they progress down, they fade to white.
The background behind it is black, brightening the gold light that seeps around the edges of the white feathered wing.
I drag my eyes up to Mase's. He's fiddling with his fingers nervously and I take in the sickeningly pale look on his face.
Alec nudges me. I almost jump from Alec's lap to Mase. My nervous twin lets out an 'ooft' as he catches me. I wrap my arms around as tight as I can.
"I love them, Mase. So, so much." I squeeze him tightly and his arms curl around me.
He buries his face into my neck, breathing heavily. I quickly glance over at Maverick, seeing the sadness in his features as he watches his brother.
