Drew
MY FINGERS GLIDED through Sara’s hair as she slept on my chest. Without glancing at my watch, I guessed it was close to two in the morning. I was a blissful type of exhausted, the two rounds of epic make-up sex knocking the both of us out, but I still couldn’t sleep. My eyes stayed open and glued to Sara. The lights from the outside streetlamp filtered through the blinds, illuminating a peace on her face I’d never seen before.
The relationship I had with my father was sketchy at best, but I never wondered if my parents loved me. I hated how alone Sara was for most of her life, but she had me now—and we were permanent. After months of dreading it, finishing my master’s couldn’t come fast enough. I was itching to take a look at that apartment and couldn’t wait to see the look on Victoria’s face when I told her I was moving with them, too. Sara would probably need some convincing from time to time that being with them wasn’t a hardship, but I’d prove it to her every single day if I had to. It may have been unexpected, but it was all I wanted. They were all I wanted.
“Why are you still up?” Sara’s groggy voice startled me.
I kissed the top of her head and shrugged. “I’m a little hungry.”
“I’m sure.” She turned her head and planted a kiss on my chest. “You were a busy boy.”
To my surprise, my cock thickened under the sheets. I figured it was as tired as I was, but I wanted this woman all the damn time. Getting my fill of her wasn’t possible.
“Well, that.” I tightened my embrace around her. “And I haven’t really eaten much over the past few days.” I picked up her hand and laced our fingers together.
“Me neither,” she said on a yawn. “There’s still pizza downstairs, I think. And I couldn’t sleep last night so I made brownies.”
“From scratch?” My head perked up. Falling in love with a chef sure as hell didn’t suck.
“No, I found a mix, but I gave it my own spin.” She rested her chin on my shoulder and gave me a wink. “If you get one, grab one for me.” She pecked my lips and settled back on the pillow. “They should be wrapped in foil on the kitchen counter.”
“I’m so damn in love with you.” I kissed her lips and jumped out of bed.
“Hey, Drew.” I swiveled my head after I grabbed my shirt off the floor and slipped it on.
Her dark hair spilled over the pillow as she leaned into the crook of her arm, hiding a smirk. When her weary eyes met mine, her swollen lips—swollen from my kisses—pulled into a smile. She’d never stop taking my breath away.
“I love you, baby.” Sara rolled over and stretched her arms over her head, a contented smile lifting her cheeks.
I laughed, my own smile wide as I made my way back to the bed, leaning over to paint kisses across her cheek and down the sensitive slope of her neck.
“I love it when you call me baby,” I whispered before nipping at her shoulder. This was the Sara I fell in love with, the one I always knew was there but never had a chance to come out. All she needed was love.
The house was pitch black as I headed down the carpeted staircase, with only a couple of nightlights in the living room and by the kitchen. I found the light switch on the wall and spotted the tray of brownies.
“Hey, Drew,” Denise greeted me from the kitchen table, causing me to jump out of my skin and almost drop the tray.
“Holy shit, you scared the hell out of me.” I laughed until I noted the crestfallen expression on her face. She was a younger, sadder version of Sara. Whereas Sara put up a hardened wall to the people she met, Denise showed a softer, vulnerable side.
She dropped her gaze to the table and with a wistful smile, said, “I don’t usually hang out in the dark. This house is . . . It’s a little weird being here, I guess. Funny since I technically own it now, right?” She picked up a ceramic mug off the table and huffed around the rim before taking a sip.
I slid into a chair across from her, recognizing the vacant stare I’d seen so many times from Sara. I was raised to not speak ill of the dead, but after witnessing the number they’d done on their daughters, I had a hard time giving their parents even the least bit of respect.
“Maybe you can rent it until you’re ready to sell. I have a cousin who’s a real estate agent who could help you. You can get your own apartment with whatever rent you get.”
She nodded, still fixed on whatever was inside the cup. “I could. I’m not brave like Sara. Or smart. I remember all the jobs she worked when she was in high school. She saved every cent she made so she could move out and be on her own.” She shrugged as she set the mug in front of her. “My mother always called me a baby but never showed me how to be an adult. I guess I’ll figure it out, right?”
“Your sister isn’t Superwoman, even though she tries not to show it. Your parents had the same effect on her, too. I’d bet she was just as scared when she went out on her own. Everyone is.”
“I’ll manage,” she sighed before she gave me a half smile. “So, I guess you guys are okay now? I mean, I’m assuming since you slept upstairs and there was some . . . noise coming from her old room.”
My nose crinkled as my face twisted into a grimace. “Sorry about that.”
“Don’t be sorry.” She waved me off. “I’m so glad she has you. You have no idea. I’ll never forget the day my parents threw her out. Or my mother did, and my father just watched. I’ve thought about her and her baby so many times. They forbade me to speak to her, but I should’ve called her. I wish I’d seen Victoria when she was a baby.” Her voice cracked as her face crumpled into tears. “How doesn’t she hate me?”
I shook my head. “She absolutely doesn’t hate you. You were a kid. She’s worried about you here all alone. We’re looking at apartments tomorrow. Maybe we can find one with an extra bedroom for you. I think you guys have a lot of time to make up for.”
Her eyes widened. “An apartment together. Wow, that’s great. Don’t make arrangements for me. Sara should live her own life now.” She leaned back in the chair, giving me a once-over under her crinkled brow. “You love her a lot, don’t you?”
I gave her a slow nod. “More than I ever knew it was possible to love anyone. I love Victoria, too. She’s going to be crazy about you.”
“I’m already crazy about her.” She zoned out over my shoulder. “Every year I’d rush to the mailbox to look for her picture, praying Sara would keep sending them. She always did, and I shoved Victoria’s picture in my parents’ faces. Last year was the first time they looked for more than a minute. I’m glad they did right by her with that trust.” Her finger traced the rim of her mug before she lifted her head. “Take care of them, okay?” Denise pleaded with glassy eyes. “My sister deserves the whole happily ever after.”
“You have my word. That is one thing you never have to worry about.”
“Thanks, Drew. It helps more than you know.” She stood from the table and trudged out of the kitchen.
“Denise,” I called before she made her way up the stairs. “You’re welcome to come live with us. Think about it.”
She swiveled her head, a smirk playing on her lips. “You’re a good guy, Drew.” She continued up the stairs without looking back.