She’s not upset, and she keeps saying it’s not a big deal, but I wanted to be there. She’s the only one I’ve been seeing, and she did bring me her graduation photos to look at. She was absolutely beautiful, and seeing all four of them, smiling and being happy just warmed me on the inside.
With a sigh, I shake my head.
If Aria’s not upset, it’s okay. I know how much all of them wanted me to get better, and I’ll forever be grateful that no oneis judging me. Looking back, I never should’ve given into the temptation of using heroin.
But, that’s what I thought I needed back then.
It’s what pushed me to the point of finally taking a step to deal with Simmons, and I’m afraid I wouldn’t have done it had I not been under the influence when it happened. It was one terrible experience, and I’ll never touch a single drug again. I am glad that it led me to killing Paul because now, as I’m watching the small pond outside of the facility, with a couple of ducks in the water, a small smile tugs on the corners of my lips.
It’s finally over.
All of it.
It’s truly over.
It’s finally time for me to live.
THIRTY-FOUR
The sunglasses on my face prevent the sunlight from hitting my eyes, and although it’s only spring, I can’t help but feel almost too warm. I’m standing outside of my car, a bouquet of flowers in my hands, impatiently tapping my foot against the ground.
My eyes fall to my watch, noticing that Blair should be out any minute. Fuck, those minutes somehow feel longer than these two months without her. My heart is anxiously awaiting for the moment I’ll finally be able to hold my Butterfly again and this time, I am never letting her go.
The gates of the rehabilitation center open, and there she stands, with nothing but a small duffle bag in her hands. She’s wearing the clothes I brought yesterday, though it was all picked out by Aria and Mom. A sundress, Blair’s favorite pair of shoes,and the ribbon that she adores. The moment her eyes find mine, a wide grin spreads on her face. The duffle bag falls to the ground, immediately forgotten, as she runs into my arms. I open them, running towards her and wrapping my arms around her.
“Butterfly,” I mutter, inhaling her scent deeply. The grip on her tightens, and I’m barely able to contain myself. Two months without Blair were a fucking nightmare. Her body trembles against mine, and when she lifts her chin up, my heart clenches at the sight of tears in her eyes.
“Arlo,” she breathes out.
I waste no time, my free hand cupping her cheek and planting my lips on hers. Blair responds quickly, kissing me back with a passion that I didn’t realize I’d missed this badly. The taste of her, the way her lips move against mine all make me want to whisk her away and never show her again, to keep her completely mine forever.
She pulls back, licking her bottom lip. “I’ve missed you.”
I kiss her forehead. “I’ve missed you more, Butterfly.”
She chuckles, stepping back, her eyes finding the flowers. “Is that for me?”
A small grin forms on my face, and she doesn’t wait for me to give her the flowers, she all but snatches them out of my hands, bringing her nose to the heads for a small sniff. I opted for Orchids, because they’re truly beautiful, and Blair seems to love them.
“They’re beautiful,” she murmurs. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Let’s go.”
I open the passenger door for her, and when she’s seated nicely, I buckle her up. Before returning to the driver’s side, I grab the duffle bag she threw down, tossing it in the backseat, then driving off.
“How are you feeling?” I ask, taking her hand in mine, entwining our fingers together, and bringing her knuckles to my lips.
She smiles. “I’m perfect now. I can’t wait to get home.”
“About that,” I glance at her sideways. “We’re actually going home.”
She lifts a brow. “The penthouse?”
“The penthouse, Butterfly.”
Blair all but squeals, the happiness and excitement evident on her face. Her eyes are shining as brighter than they ever have, and it warms me on the inside knowing that starting today, her life truly begins.
“What did I miss?”
