“World leaders, hear my plea. Think of your wives, your daughters, your granddaughters, your nieces and friends, and ask yourself, ‘what would you do if they were in my situation?’ I urge you to impose sanctions upon New Athens for their heinous crimes. Nullify your trade agreements, publicly condemn their actions, and refuse to bend to their will.
“My testimony is just one of thousands. Every woman in New Athens has a similar story. For the sake of women everywhere, please heed my warning. Thank you.”
I feel myself soften, my whole demeanor shifting as I prepare to deliver a different speech, a speech that Benji has no idea I’ve been planning. “Maverick. If you’re seeing this, something has probablygone wrong. So, just in case I don’t get a chance to tell you…” Tears flood my eyes as I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for the man who changed my life for the better. “Thank you. I’ll never be able to repay you for everything you’ve done for me, but I’m gonna try like hell to finish what you started. I love you, Rebel Man.” I offer a final, teary smile to the camera before my eyes shift to Benji, whose mouth is hanging open like a fish.
The computer genius regains his composure, snapping his mouth closed and clearing his throat. “Great. Thanks, Della.”
A small laugh slips past my lips as I wipe my tears away with my sleeve. “I hope I can count on your discretion until the time comes to share the latter part of my message.”
“Of course.” He nods. “Though I hope that time won’t ever come.”
“Me too,” I agree. “But just in case, I want him to know how I feel.”
“Believe me, Della. He already knows.”
Benji’s comment has me grinning like an idiot for a split second, until reality comes crashing back down. We pack up the camera and tripod in silence and walk the short distance back to camp.
It’s eerily quiet. Normally, the camp would be alive with activity, filled with people milling about. Instead, there’s no one to be seen. I’m instantly on guard, my mind jumping to the worst-case scenario as I walk through the trees. “Where is everyone?”
Benji pointedly ignores my gaze, pushing his glasses up his nose. “I don’t know. Maybe you should check the dining tent.”
His grimace and quiet curse under his breath tells me all I need to know, and I relax as we head toward his suggested destination.
When we reach the tent, we’re greeted by the whole camp shouting “Surprise!” followed by claps and cheers.
I scan the crowd of faces, confused but smiling, grateful for the people who have helped make this place feel like home. I see Bec, Liv, Cam, V, and of course, the man who has altered my very brain chemistry.
“What are we celebrating?”
In response, Liv walks toward me holding a cast-iron skillet that has some kind of chocolate dessert inside. The flame flickers on the singular candle stuck in the middle of the cake as everyone joins in to singHappy Birthdayto me for the first time since I was ten. Women don’t celebrate their birthdays in New Athens, of course. The only thing they’re even remotely praised for is having children, and even that seems to be more of an event for the father.
My eyes flood with tears hearing everyone sing. Growing up, my mother always made birthdays such a special occasion, and I had convinced myself I was being irrational for missing them after the Reckoning. But now, I let myself feel like a kid again, laughing and smiling so wide my cheeks hurt.
“Make a wish!” Liv says, her own smile as big as my own.
I close my eyes, already knowing what I’ll wish for.Freedom and justice for the women of New Athens.My eyes flutter open, automatically connecting with Maverick’s across the room. Selfishly, I add a second wish, figuring I can have more than one since I didn’t get any birthday wishes for more than a decade.And a life of peace and happiness for Maverick, even if that life doesn’t include me.I blow out the candle to the soundtrack of celebratory cheers, and the party starts.
The cake is cut and served, and holy shit it’s the best damn chocolate cake I’ve ever had. Drinks flow freely and I happily indulge, knowing that tomorrow, everything will change. My head buzzes pleasantly as I sit cross-legged in a circle with Bec, Liv, Benji, and a few other camp members that I’m not as familiar with. We’re playing Spin the Bottle—Bec’s idea, of course.You should experience stupid party games at least once in your life,she’d said.
It’s my first turn, so I reach toward the middle of the circle and grab hold of the glass bottle, finding it surprisingly warm against my palm. I give it a good spin, watching as it twirls around before it finally stops, pointing at Bec. My nerves settle, knowing I get to kiss her instead of a stranger.
She leans over and places her hand on my cheek before her lips connect with mine. Just like before, they’re warm and soft. She tastes like whiskey and chocolate, and that familiar, fuzzy feeling in my stomach makes everything feel so good. More cheers echo in my ears as the kiss deepens, and I let myself enjoy the moment. We finally pull apart, both of us giggling like maniacs. She was right, thisisfun.
It’s Benji’s turn to spin the bottle, and it’s an absolute joy to see the normally awkward man loosen up. The bottle slows and comes to a stop, pointing right at me. His eyes widen, panicked. “Um…”
“What?” I ask with a giggle. He’s already kissed a few other people in the circle, so I’m confused by his hesitation.
He cranes his neck around nervously before he looks back at me. “I don’t really want to die today, that’s what.”
“What do you mean?” My stomach knots as genuine nerves settle in my gut.
Benji clears his throat and jerks his head to the left. My eyes find what he’s signaling, and a laugh bursts out of me. Maverick’s staring at our group, his expression stern. I give him a wink before shifting onto all fours and crawling toward Benji playfully. I sit back on my heels and grab his face, leaning forward and planting a kiss right on his lips. The group whistles and whoops as Ben leans into the kiss.He’s actually a pretty good kisser,I think. I break away and he pushes his glasses up his nose, cheeks pink. “Thanks, Della.”
I smile. “My pleasure.”
His eyes shift away momentarily. “Just don’t let your boyfriend kill me.”
I laugh again, wondering if Maverick would actually get jealous. His clenched jaw suggests that maybe he is in fact envious of Benji at the moment. I wink at him again, emboldened by the alcohol in my veins. Before I can scoot back to my spot, he mutters something that looks suspiciously close tofuck thisand heads my way. Normally,the sight of a burly, six foot four bearded man stalking toward me would send me running. But instead, I stand to meet him with a cheeky grin.
