Page 83 of Hating On Riot

“I love you too, Riot.”

She is mine. We’ve sealed our love. It took four years, but we had to live apart to get to where we are now and to be who we are. My insides coil tight. A wave of heat engulfs me from head to toe. I come with a loud, “Fuuucck.”

Happier and more at peace than I’ve ever been in my life, I hold my woman close and start planning how I’ll make her dream come true.

Epilogue

Riot

“Can I open my eyes yet?”

“Not yet, baby girl. Let me park first. Stay buckled until I come get you.”

The turn comes up. I drive down the dirt driveway until a house comes into view. I’ve instructed everyone to park in the next lot over. They’ll have to muck through wet grass, but that’s to be expected in winter in the Pacific Northwest. We have a break between the fall and spring semesters, and what better time to make Arie’s dream come true than now, when we need our space and privacy.

Making love in her old Honda or my truck isn’t cutting it, though I can’t complain. Arie gives a mean BJ, and she’s never complained about me always wanting to go down on her. I have cravings, and Arie’s pussy satisfies them.

I park my truck. “Remember, no opening your eyes, and stay in your seat until I get you.” I get out of my truck and run around to the passenger side. I open the door, unbuckle her, and take her hand. I guide her out of the truck.

Arie is wearing a pretty royal blue dress that brings out the blue in her hair. The strands are long and cascade down to the small of her back. She’s gathered up the strands so that they also fall over her perfect breasts.

On any day, I’d brush them over her shoulders so I would have a good view of her cleavage over what my mother calls a heart-shaped bodice. But today, we have an audience, and I’m selfish when it comes to Arie’s luscious body with her growing curves.

The dress is long-sleeved, but with the cooler weather, I slide my arm across her shoulders and pull her into my warmth.

“Ready, sweetheart?”

“Yes.”

“Okay, babe, open your eyes.”

I know the instant she does. Her gasp of surprise, followed by her squeal of happiness, echoes and shoots off the trees, sending the birds flying.

“You did not?” She looks from the house to me, eyes wide and her smile just as wide.

“It’s ours, baby. All ours.” The house of her dreams in McMillan. The one with the wrap-around porch, big picture windows, a fireplace, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a beautiful kitchen that opens to a covered deck with a view of an open field that blossoms with colorful flowers in spring and summer.

“How?” She wraps her arms around my waist and looks up, her eyebrows pinched.

I shrug. “Stocks. Saving up for the past four years working for my brothers. House is all paid for, paid off,” I clarify, puffing out my chest. All the saving and working paid off in the best way possible. “The next step is to decide how you want the place to look, inside and out. I know you’ve been making sketches using the research you’re doing on houses.”

“I”—she tears up. “I don’t even know what to say. This is huge, Riot. Like settle down in one place for a while, huge. It’s scary.” She bites her bottom lip. We experienced change a month ago, and this is another in what I'm thinking will be endless change.

“It won’t be scary with our family and friends nearby. Come out, you all!”

My brothers, our parents, and Arie’s family pour out of the house. Arie rushes to her family and hugs them all. My brothers slap my shoulders and praise me for pulling this off. I tell Arie everything, and keeping this from her was difficult.

Every day up to this moment, I wanted to spill the beans. But some things are meant to be shared. Or meant to be a surprise. That’s the other thing Arie and I are learning together. To be spontaneous. To enjoy life as it comes. That not everything has to be planned. That the most unplanned things can bring us the most joy.

My parents pull me into a hug.

“Congratulations, son.” My father holds me in his arms a little longer than my mother. “Know that we love you and your brothers equally,” he says for my ears only. “It was never about favoring Merrick or Grayson over you. Or making you feel like the third wheel.”

“Did Arie⁠—”

“No, son. It’s my observation, and one I should’ve acted on and talked to you personally, but with helping with your grandparents and work, time slipped away from me. From your mother. But never again. Let’s see more of one another, son. Promise?”

“Yes.”