Alexander (CENTURIES series: Book #1)

25

• Ya'll ready for the last one? •

I didn't think I'd ever seen an adult cry as much as Alexander's mom did when he stepped into her house. His home. She jumped into his arms and then proceeded to cry in his embrace for the next infinity.

She had been crying nonstop, simply just talking to Alex about everything, finally having the talk they should've had years ago. Alex came clean about everything, told her about his traumas after his father's abuse, told her about his addiction to drugs, how he had hidden everything from her because she was finally happy and doing well, out of his father's claws. They even got around to talk about his intelligence and how he was smarter than she thought.

I had been sitting on the sideline feeling a little awkward, but Alex said he wanted me there—needed me there. During their whole talk, his hand had been holding onto mine, braiding his fingers through mine, squeezing my palm when the subject got tough. I squeezed back and rubbed my thumb over the back of his hand, letting him know I was here for him. And always would be.

Later the twins had come home from school and seen their brother sitting on the couch in the living room. They had bolted for him as well, both of them crying, too. They hadn't seen their brother in three months, the brother that had practically raised them. I swore I even saw Alex's eyes well up when his little sisters squeezed the life out of him with their tiny arms; He was happy to be home.

Then of course, Sarah had proudly mentioned she had gotten a boyfriend who was a grade above her, and from then on the conversation steered into a complete skid. Alex harshly went big-bro on her and swore to the Lord almighty that if that little douche even as much as tried to touch his baby sister, he was going to castrate him before he even had the chance to realize what the thing between his legs could really do.

After a long talk and a little persuasive caressing on my behalf, we managed to cool Alex down again. He told everyone he needed some time alone, so we all retrieved to our corners and let him go to his room. Audrey thanked me deeply and told me I was an angel from above for bringing her son home again. She gave me a big kiss on top of my head and a tight, motherly hug, before she finally let me go home as well.

What a day.

I collapsed on my bed, yawning tiredly when I felt beat. I could only imagine how tired Alex had to feel. It had been a very emotional day for him.

I suddenly heard a rustling by my window, and not a second later, the window got pulled up and in climbed the smug devil himself.

"Hey, beautiful."

"Hi," I tiredly smiled from my bed as he closed the window again and then crawled in next to me. "Climbing up the tree again I see. I thought you said you wanted to be alone?"

"Couldn't sleep without my girl in my arms." He snug under the covers and curled up to me so there wasn't an inch of space between us. He wrapped his arm around my waist and then sighed content. "Mm, much better."

My heart throbbed in my chest. "Look at us. When did we become so corny?"

"When you spread your legs for me that night you got drunk at the bar and nip-slipped."

"Oh God, don't remind me," I groaned and buried my head into my pillow. "That was the most humiliating moment of my young life."