Perfect by Design

Alternate Ending: Luca James

The buildings begin to blur as I stare out of the window of my Uber. This is what falling in love feels like. This is what losing control looks like. I'm more confused than I've ever been while somehow not being confused at all.

The music grows quieter as my mind grows louder. So many words were exchanged between me and Bella. Too few words were exchanged between me and Hayes. She has to be confused. Kai is the type of boyfriend you draw up. Hell, he's the kind of boyfriend she drew up, and I'd know. She's my best friend.

Me, on the other hand, I'm the guy everybody in your circle warns you about, and they should. At least they should have. Slowly, I watched all of that change with Bella. Has this side of me always been there? Does it only exist because of her?

I should've told Bella I wasn't leaving. I should have assured her that Hayes was confused. She has to be. We spend every waking moment together, and if she were in love with me, we would have realized it by now. If I was— she's confused. And now she's confusing me and Bella. We'll all sleep it off tonight, and by tomorrow, we might all even be able to laugh about how silly this was. No harm, no foul. Yeah, that's it.

The driver pulls in front of the last brownstone on the street. He begins to unbuckle his seatbelt to help with my luggage.

"No need." I quickly wave him off. I don't mean to be dismissive, but I can't handle any pity looks. It's already bad enough that I was sulking on the corner when he picked me up. He's well aware I'm not headed for a fun night.

Ki is, and it pains me to say this, the richest James. Technically it shouldn't count because her husband is worth a crap ton of money. He runs and owns a company that makes alcohol-less cocktails. He and Ki are sober, though neither had a drinking problem. It's all for Parker. Like I said, he didn't do much good for my sister in my eyes, but Kiara and Aaron together are enough good to make up for it.

Ki was the top investor, and I told her it was practically the worst idea I'd ever heard, but she's in love, and love makes people do stupid things. Except it wasn't stupid, and there are more sober people than I realized. Cue, Kiara surpassing me as the richest James. And she isn't even a James—the only child to deviate. I'm second, and it's a photo finish, so let's not get carried away. Then Aaliyah, who also shouldn't count because, well, Trevor. And finally, Gray, squarely at the bottom. I'm sure this surprises absolutely no one.

Funny enough, this is also the order of favorites for us kids. Again, a photo finish between me and Ki. There's no need to confirm that with my parents. Leah and Gray were their test run at parenting. It's clear when they finally figured things out.

The only reason I started this rant is because my sister's brownstone looks like every other one on this block despite her, by and far, being the wealthiest person on this street. She's modest and humble. This is why good things happen to her and exactly why she's about to help me figure out how to make good things happen to me—I hope.

Aaron opens the door before I can even ring the bell. It's nice to know they're using all the security measures I put in place once my sister insisted on living in a neighborhood with approximately zero security.

"Hey, Luca! I didn't know we were expecting you." Aaron pulls me into a hug. They are huggers, and I have been unable to break that habit.

"Well, you weren't, but since my sister is a zillion months pregnant, I figured there was a good chance she'd be home at this hour." I suppose giving somebody a heads-up is the polite thing to do before showing up at their house. However, I'm Luca.

Aaron chuckles a little before stepping aside, prompting me further into the house. "You're in luck; they're both here."

"Both?" I stop right in my tracks. No, oh no. If Aaliyah is here, my mom will know everything before I even finish my story. Absolutely not.