I shrug.Totally worth it.
Lana’s brows rise. “Doesn’t make it right to ask that of strangers.”
Declan’s eyes darken.“Stranger?I’ve known you since you were about her age.”
Lana gives him a once-over. “So? I haven’t seen you since you were stealing my dolls because you wanted to play with them.”
Zahra giggles into her wineglass while Iris howls with laughter, her hand slapping the table as she sucks in deep breaths.
Declan frowns, a tinge of pink creeping up his cheeks. “My action figures needed to save the damsel in distress.”
Iris pats his shoulder. “No need to be self-conscious. An active imagination is a sign of a healthy childhood.”
“Sure, it is.” Zahra lifts her wineglass in a mocking cheer.
Declan glares at Lana in a way that makes most grown men piss themselves. Lana laughs, the sound filling all the cracks of my broken heart with her warmth.
The conversation changes, although the steady feeling of contentedness pumping through my veins never wanes. If anything, it only intensifies as the night continues. Iris and Lana break off into a corner, laughing at whatever blackmail they are exchanging at my expense.
Eventually, Zahra and Lana come out carrying the two cakes, both of which are covered in lit candles. Iris begins clapping her hands and singing happy birthday. My brothers begrudgingly chime in, their enthusiasm on par with a funeral march.
“Make a wish, old man,” Lana whispers in my ear.
Wax drips down the candles and lands on the icing. Cami comes up to my side and bounces on the balls of her feet with excitement, so I lift her up and place her on my lap.
“Wanna help me out? It’s a lot of candles.”
“Yes!” She grins, her two eyes bright orbs rivaling the sun.
Together, we blow out every single candle except for one. I take a deep breath and repeat the same wish in my head from before.
I wish to kick my addiction for good.
Getting dry is one thing, but staying sober is a completely different animal. One that I’ve battled and lost already.
Failing isn’t an option this time. I want to triumph. Overcome.Evolve.
I want to shed the addiction that feels like an anchor wrapped around my neck, keeping me from rising above the demons holding me down, almost as much as I want to become a man worthy of Lana and Cami.
No matter how long it takes me to get there.
Cami pushes her empty plate in front of her. Usually I don’t let her have sweets this late, but tonight is a special occasion.
“Can I go play now?” she asks.
“Sure.”
She bolts from the table, her feet slapping against the wood as she escapes with her dolls.
“She’s so cute.” Iris shoots me a warm smile.
Zahra plucks the crown off Rowan’s head and places it on her own. “Seriously. I see a lot of kids every day, and yours makes the top five.”
I bite back a smile.
“You made this?” Rowan stabs his spoon through his second piece of the tres leches cake.
“Yup.” I swipe at some of the dulce de leche glaze.