Literally, and figuratively.
For Victoria’s sake, we kept the new development between Astor and I under wraps until after graduation.
It wouldn’t be so hard if I didn’t have to keep it from Blair and Wills too, but neither of them is particularly good at keeping secrets. The moment I told them, in the flurry of falling hats raining down at us after the commencement ceremony, I’ve never seen them so happy.
Three friends, closer than brothers, reunited.
They were separated because of me once. Now, looking down at them, I promise myself I’ll never let that happen again.
I never imagined, when I started this whole journey, that this is where I’d end up. Everything about me has changed, even my name.
I know that this is all just the beginning to a long journey, but I know one thing for sure.
Never again will I do it alone.
Astor stirs in my arms, and looks up at me with those big, dark eyes of his. They’re still glazed over with sleep, but that doesn’t stop a rare smile from spreading across his face.
“Good morning gorgeous,” he says. He reaches up and runs one hand over my bare shoulder. “I just can’t seem to get enough of you. I hope you don’t mind.”
“I don’t mind at all. We’ve got a lot of missed time to make up for.” I lean forward and kiss him softly and slowly.
The motion, however gentle, causes the other two to turn over in their sleep. I freeze and put a finger to my lips. I wait for them to settle before I glance back down at Astor, brushing away some of the hair from his face.
“There was something I wanted to ask you, before they wake up,” I say. I wonder how he will respond to what I’m about to ask. I’ve thought about this for a long time.
“Anything,” he tells me, sitting and I bite my lower lip.
“It’s about Victoria.”
I hold up a hand quickly, quelling any protests that might follow. “I know we swore not to talk about her anymore, but I have one last request. It’s about her spot on the blacklist.”
His eyes grow cold. “She deserves it, Teddy. After everything she did.”
“She does deserve it,” I say, running my fingers lightly over his body, “but … that’s not the point.”
He sits up, nearly waking Wills in the process. “Then what is it?”
I take a breath and plunge in. “I want you to get rid of the entire blacklist. I think that everyone deserves a second chance. I’ve had second chances, and it’s made all the difference. She doesn’t deserve it, but maybe it will help her become a better person.”
He closes his eyes and sighs heavily, and then looks at me. “Do you know what she’s going to do when she finds out I’ve deleted the blacklist? She’ll come after us again, especially you.”
I shake my head as I slide my leg over him and sit on top of him.
“Then don’t tell her. Just do it in secret. In time, Victoria will figure out that the reason she fails at everything is because of her own actions, instead of some blacklist.”
I can tell he’s wrestling with the idea. It’s his crown, his power; and I’m asking him to give it up.
But then he looks back at me and reaches up to cup my face in his hand.
“You really are going to make a better man out of me yet, aren’t you?”
I nudge him playfully. “Not if you have anything to do with it, apparently.”
“For you, Teddy, anything.” He kisses me then, hard and deep. When we break apart, he’s looking at me with a need I’ve come to know very well.
I reach for him, and he for me.
Blair and Wills might still be asleep, but they won’t be for long.