Page 53

“Yeah! It’s not like it was obvious,” Kassian says.

The two of us look at each other and I swear I can see the gears in our heads turning at the same time. All of the pieces fall into place. All the hints, all the nights we could hear them through the wall, all the soft looks they give each other, all the stolen moments.

“Oh my gods,” I murmur, covering my face with my hands. “How the fuck did we not notice?”

“It’s okay,” Dean finally says, gripping my shoulder. When I open my eyes again, he’s doing the same to Kassian. “Sometimes you just need someone to help you see what’s in front of you.”

I swallow thickly, struck in the chest with emotions. “Kinda like how you helped us,” I say, running my hand up Dean’s arm.

“Yeah,” he says softly with a smile. “Exactly like that.”

“Thank you again for that, Dean. I’m not sure how much longer we could have handled being in that state of perpetual pining,” Kassian says, stepping closer into Dean’s space. “We’re so much happier now that you’re here with us. You help make us feel more rounded out, more complete.”

“I didn’t do anything,” Dean murmurs.

“Maybe not, but that doesn’t make it any less true. You make us happy, just by being you.” I lick my lips. Maybe it’s the dancing or maybe it's the alcohol or maybe it’s finally finding out who Mars is dating, but something tonight is making me brave. I gently cup Dean’s cheek. “Dean, I love you.”

Dean sucks in a sharp breath, his blue eyes searching mine. Then he turns towards Kassian who’s already smiling at him.

“Me too,” Kassian says. “I love you, Dean. We’ve been holding that back, wanting to go at your pace, but I think maybe it was time it was said.”

Dean closes his eyes for a moment. For that split second, I worry maybe this was too much, too quick. When he opens his eyes again, they’re glassy but sure.

“I love you too,” he says, letting out a startled laugh. “I love you both so much. I never knew it could feel like this. I feel so full, so content. I feel so happy with you both.”

I let out a relieved breath before surging forward and tucking myself against Dean’s chest. Kassian is right beside me, sharing Dean’s space with me. The three of us hold each other tight.

“Let’s go,” Dean says softly. “I have an idea or two on how we can celebrate this big declaration.”

“Please tell me this celebration includes being naked,” I say, making Kassian giggle.

“I guess you’ll just have to wait to find out.”

Epilogue

Dean

I sit back against my lawn chair, letting out a content sigh. The book in front of me is so good and I’m getting so invested in the plot but at the same time, my eyes keep wandering away from the page.

Looking up, I find Nix and Kassian hitting a volleyball back and forth. As they hit the ball, they have to think of a word that starts with the next letter.

“Pineapple,” Nix says, setting the ball over to Kassian.

“Queen!”

“Rotisserie chicken!”

“Are you hungry? You keep naming foods?” Kassian asks with a giggle.

“That was not an S word!”

“Sasquatch ,” Kassian says, hitting the ball again.

Hazel sits down beside me, shaking her head. “How’s your book?”

“It’s fine,” I say, still watching Kassian and Nix.

“You’re not even gonna pretend to keep reading?”