Salvation (Surrender 3)

“I can’t believe this. It’s the happiest night of my life.”

“The night’s not over yet. I have a few tricks left up my sleeve.”

“Robbie, I can’t handle anymore. I’m emotionally spent. How the hell did you pull this off? It’s still surreal to me that my dad is in the house, with our families, celebrating my birthday.”

“You deserve this.”

“I love you so much. Thank you.”

He starts to say something, but Raven walks out, giggling. “Present time! Thad looks like he may blow a gasket if you two don’t come back in.”

Robbie grunts as we follow Raven back to the living room. “Figures.”

Perfumes, scarves, earrings, and design books scatter the table when Robbie hands me the last gift. His face is skeptical as I tear through the paper. When I open the box and see a black helmet with deep blue swirls, I scrunch my face.

“It was made for you, for the bike,” he explains.

“Really? Finally, I get to ride on the bike???” I put the helmet on, twisting for everyone to see.

“Told you I’d take you. Needed the weather to be right, and now’s perfect.”

“I’m so excited!”

“Shit, I need a drink. A stiff one.” Dad says, getting up and heading to the kitchen. He mutters the whole way about ‘baby girl, serious boyfriend, fucking motorcycle’ and I fall to the side laughing. Cruz catches me and kisses my head lightly.

“This is your life now.”

“I hope so. Think Dad is going to go berserk when he finds out I spend four nights a week at Robbie’s?”

“Oh yeah, but that’s the fun part… I’m glad to have a front row seat.”

“I love you, Cruz. Thank you for everything.”

“Don’t thank me yet. I’m about to hit Declan up for tickets to a few of his shows.”

I open my mouth to say something else, but Finn sits next to me, yanking me into a hug. “How ya doing 522?”

“Do I have my own code now?”

“You’re one of us, so, yeah.”

“That’s the best gift ever. Well, besides my dad coming home, that’s the coolest.”

“Get used to it. And know that 626 is looking at me with fucking spears. He thinks he scares me, but nah.”

“626 can cool it. I’m hugging my hero.”

His body rumbles with laughter as he hugs me close then kisses my forehead. “Happy birthday, Little Star.”

I smile at his use of my nickname, formally reserved for family. “I think I love you, Finn Black. It’s impossible not to.”

A groan rumbles from my side, and we both look up to see Robbie glaring. He sits down and scoops me into his lap, wrapping his arm around my waist possessively. “That’s better.”

“Disease… all of you have lost your damn minds,” Finn mumbles.

“You just wait,” Robbie replies.

I’m about to ask what they’re talking about when Declan walks up and slaps Robbie on the shoulder.