Drawing the blanket over us, Auryn wrapped us in warmth. Never letting go of me. With my face pressed to his chest, I listened to the steady beat of his heart. No part of me wanted to ever leave.
We stayed there together wrapped in each other for a long time, simply enjoying the afterglow. It wasn’t long before we heard Codie and Stray ascend the stairs and close the door to their bedroom.
“Any minute now,” Auryn muttered.
He wasn’t wrong. Within minutes the sound of my close friend getting railed by her fiancé could be easily heard.
“Holy shit.” Trying to stifle my laughter, I covered my mouth with a hand. “You’re right. If I move in here, we should definitely take the basement.”
EPILOGUE
AURYN
“Geez, Auryn, what’s the rush? I’m hurrying as fast as I can. I still need to put on a little makeup.” Ripley stood in the basement bathroom, the door hanging open so I could see inside.
Still wrapped in a towel from her shower, she leaned over the sink while rubbing moisturizer into her skin. Since Dom had moved out last week, we were staying in the basement every time she came over. Which was more often than not.
Since our talk after graduation two weeks ago, Ripley and Athena had discussed their living arrangements. Athena was more than understanding, encouraging Ripley to move in with me if that’s what she wanted. Ripley had been reluctant to leave her friend stuck with the bills. Even though Athena had insisted she had some savings to fall back on, Ripley wouldn’t hear of it.
Not until I stepped in. Once I paid the bills for Athena’s apartment for the next six months, Ripley had no more excuses. She had been gradually moving more things over to my place. Spending almost every night here.
Thanks to the organ sales the guys and I engaged in, I had enough money stockpiled for a down payment on a house. Ripley wanted to take our time getting established in life beforemaking another move. She’d recently started a new job at the same facility we had both visited. A part-time gig learning the ropes to become an intake worker. I was more than happy to go at her pace. We had a strong future ahead of us. There was no reason to rush.
Except for right now. We had somewhere to be. I hadn’t told her yet where I was taking her. She would find out when we arrived.
“You don’t need makeup. You’re beautiful without it. Besides, you won’t need it where we’re going.” I stood in the bathroom door, watching her rub lotion into her skin.
“Where are we going anyway?” She turned to pin me with a suspicious stare. “Why can’t you tell me?”
“Because then it wouldn’t be a surprise. Now hurry up. We need to be there in half an hour.” When I came across this local event on social media, I knew it would be perfect for Ripley. I hoped she loved it.
She’d been doing so much better. Attending therapy regularly. Working hard to keep progressing. She was almost completely off the Oxy now. Although she had struggled with some withdrawal symptoms like nausea, insomnia, and cravings, I’d watched her push through it all. Determined not to backslide, even though her therapist had assured her that it wouldn’t make her a failure.
I’d noticed her urges to self-harm were almost nonexistent now that her mother was no longer in her life. Even though I’d never met the woman, I wasn’t sure I’d hated anyone more. The damage she had done to her own daughter was sickening.
We didn’t speak of her much. Ripley had made her peace with needing to cut her mother out of her life. I myself had issues with my own mother, though they didn’t compare to what she’d dealt with. My mom tended to be self-involved, always caught upin her own life. Still, she always took the time to let me know she loved me and was there if I needed her.
I paced around the basement, killing a few minutes by punching the bag in the corner of the workout area. I was antsy to get going.
Finally, Ripley emerged wearing light makeup, her hair loose and straight. A thin hoodie over a pair of black leggings. Even in such casual attire, my girl was fucking gorgeous.
“I’m ready. Let’s go. Wherever you’re taking me, you better not do anything to embarrass me, Auryn. I mean it.” She shook a finger at me before ascending the stairs.
“Are you guys leaving now?” Codie smiled knowingly. She and Stray sat on the couch watching TV.
I had told her where I intended to take Ripley today. She’d gushed and squealed, telling me I was an amazing boyfriend. Hearing that I was someone’s boyfriend still felt strange. In a good way. Something I wasn’t used to but definitely loved.
“It’s not fair that Codie knows.” Ripley pretended to pout.
I steered her along to the door. “Pretty soon you’ll know too. Let’s go. I don’t want to be late.”
During the drive, Ripley chewed a fingernail, bouncing her leg. Nervous about not knowing where I was taking her. I was a little nervous as well. I wasn’t used to doing such things for someone else. This was my way of showing her how much I loved her and cared. I wanted it to go well.
We drove through town, ending up in an area heavily populated by businesses of all kinds. When we pulled into the parking lot of a pet store, she glanced over at me, her brows knit together quizzically.
“The pet store? What are we doing here?”
Instead of answering her, I got out of the car and rounded the vehicle to her side. Opening the door, I took her hand and coaxed her out. “You’ll see in a minute.”
