“You mean that? You’re not just saying it?” It’s been a roller coaster of emotions these last eighteen hours. The last thing I want is to get my hopes up to have them dashed.
“Of course.”
“I really want to be more excited right now, but with everything else going on, it’s hard,” I confess.
Leon kisses my cheek and Jacob pats my knee. “Take a few days to get your head on straight. We’ll worry about ironing out the details later.”
“Which means it’s time to eat,” Aiden says. “We made enough to feed an army, so I hope you’re hungry.”
“I’m starving,” Leon says.
As everyone heads into the dining room, I pop off the stool and go to grab my phone, firing off a text to Declan.
Alice
You didn’t need to call in reinforcements
Declan
Yes I did
I was worried about you
As much as I said I didn’t need anyone, I’m glad they’re here
Good
I should be home soon
I love you
Not as much as I love you, Froggie
With everyone at the table,noise fills the house. It helps to make the ache in my chest go away.
Because while my family by blood don’t want anything to do with me unless I live up to their vision of a good daughter, but these people? They love me for me.
I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to tell them that. But I’ll keep them around for as long as they’ll let me.
Chapter Thirty-One
ALICE
Declan
Are you sure you’re good for tonight?
No one would blame you if you wanted to stay home
Alice
I promise
I’m okay
If I had any issues going to the game tonight, I would tell you
Okay, you know I’m just worried about you
