I step onto the porch just in time to see his twin climb out of the car and run around it. She throws herself into his arms, and my heart warms at how happy Ayden looks holding her.
“Lefty.” His voice comes out somber.
“Oh, righty, thank god you’re here.”
“Where the hell else would I be?” He steps back and looks her up and down. “Come on, we’ll get your bags in a minute.”
There’s no argument, and the two of them head toward the house. She looks up, and the moment she sees me, she squeals. “Kee!”
“Hey, Aly.”
She tries to sprint up the stairs but slips, thankfully catching herself before face-planting on the wooden deck. Her momentum carries her toward me, and I catch her flying hug without hesitation.
“Mmm!!” Her arms tighten around my neck. “God, I’ve missed you.”
I smile, watching as Ayden comes up right behind her. “I missed you, too. Let’s get inside and out of this damn cold.”
I step back and set her down past the threshold of the door. Immediately, the feline begins yowling. She moves quickly to Clover, petting her.
“It feels so good to be back here.”
“All together,” my sunshine says as he moves toward her. “I know I’m a bit late, but?—”
“None of that.” She stands, quickly wiping away tears that were about to fall. “Dad and Leilani wouldn’t have wanted any sadness on our first Christmas back together.”
Slowly, I move over to Ayden, who drops his head and nods. “Alright. How was the flight?”
“Good. How’re you two? I’m happy to see you’re… getting along?” There’s insinuation to her tone, and one look at Ayden, I can tell he’s completely lost to his panic.
She turns her attention to me, then to her brother.
“Yeah. We are. Totally getting along.”
A soft “huh” escapes her, and she steps further into the livingroom. “Keoni, can I ask you? How’re you two doing?” She places her hands behind her back and smiles.
I reach Ayden’s side and drape an arm over his shoulder. “Better than ever.”
Then I turn him and press my lips to his without a single moment of hesitation.
Age 21
Christmas Eve
“I kissed Ayden.” I rub my hands over my face. “Technically, I kissed him back, but that’s not the point.”
“What’s the point, Keoni?” Alysa asks, scooting closer to me on the porch steps.
“That I want more of it. Of him…”
She rubs my back in small circles before resting her head against my arm. “I feel like you both have been dealt a shitty hand in the love department… I’ve known for a long time about your feelings for each other. Kinda hurts that you both hid it from me—or thought I wouldn’t even notice.”
I chuckle, pressing my forehead against my forearm. “Life fucking sucks.”
“I know… I’m sorry, Kee…”
42
My hands press against Keo’s chest, shoving him back with such force I think even he’s surprised. Not that I could tell by his face—the way my vision shakes terrifies even me. With a single step back, I nearly stumble.
