She’s inquiring about topics that most people actively avoid asking us.
I say, “We got along pretty quickly. It was honestly a dream. We were given the best parents and opportunities that anyone in our situation would’ve asked for.”
“But?” She hears the incoming word.
“But,” Dean continues, “our mom passed away a few months back. Since then … everything’s changed. I don’t even think we can look at this place the same. It feels entirely different without her.”
“How is your dad doing? Is he a good man?” she asks, the question taking us by surprise.
Dean continues, “He is. He might have forgotten that a bit at the moment, but he’s a great person at the core. We’ve always looked up to him. But since our mom passed, it’s like the good parts of him died with her. He’s so focused on growth and image now, in ways he never was before.”
Lowering my arms from her shoulders, I snake them around her waist, and she does something surprising. She lays her arms atop mine, interlocking our fingers.
“I’m sorry. Both for your mom and for your dad. He’s making you grieve two parents at once, and that isn’t fair.”
A dam bursts in my chest when I hear her explain it like that—better than I ever could’ve. That’s exactly what it feels like. We’ve been mourning my mom, but also the person our dad used to be.
He should have been here for us, helped us heal, not made it a million times harder.
“It’s okay. We’ll be all right,” Dean assures her. “And you?”
“What about me?” she mimics, lifting her legs over Dean’s.
He rests his hands on her knees. “Will you be okay? You’re welcome to stay here with us to get away from your stepmom.”
She laughs painfully. “I appreciate the offer, but unfortunately, she’d still know where I was. Don’t worry about me; I can handle myself.”
“I think we’re still going to worry, Princess. We care too much about you,” Dean admits.
I nod, whispering in her ear, “Please don’t block us out.”
“This isn’t going to be enough for you both. Secret meetups. Hidden identity. Your patience with me will run out, and then you’ll move on. I’m just trying to save all of us from hurting more than is already inevitable.”
“Dean,” I say, “correct me if I’m wrong.” I tip her chin up, making her look up into my eyes. “But you’re not going to get rid of us that easily, Princess. We’ve never felt this way about anyone. We’ve had flings and girlfriends, separately, but nothing compared to what we share with you.” I pause, tilting her head back further. “You’ll take the mask off when the time is right. We trust you. Until then, we’ll be here, however you’ll take us.”
Wetness pools in her eyes, and she sniffles, a tear breaking away and rolling down her temple. “I like you guys … a lot. I don’t want this to end either.”
“Then it won’t,” Dean commands.
She sits up, sniffles again, and takes a few deep breaths.
A moment of nothing passes, like time is frozen.
But then she inhales sharply and launches herself at Dean, throwing her arms around his neck. He embraces her immediately, eyes widened but softening by the second. He nods at me with a smile before slamming his eyes shut and squeezing her tighter.
“We’ve got you,” he assures her, rubbing her back.
After a moment, she pulls away and leans back into me.
“I promise,” I tell her, kissing the top of her head.
An idea pops into my mind, and I’m not sure if she’ll agree, but it’s worth a shot. “We’ll give you our phone numbers. Text or call any time of day. For emergencies. Just to talk, to vent, toflirt.” I wink. “We’re at your disposal. And if you ever need us, we’re a message away.”
Dean agrees instantly, “Yeah.”
“Okay,” she murmurs, her lack of enthusiasm noticeable.
She slips her hand in her dress and pulls out her phone.
