Sweet Emotion // Aerosmith

3 months later...

The girl staring back at me in the mirror has been away too long. No more extra bronzer to keep me from looking gaunt with worry. Gone are the dark circles. The dullness in my eyes I was getting so used to is now sparkling with life. Joy, a I feeling I'd forgotten all about, is back in full force.

Nico is my guy.

Never in my wildest imagination would I have believed the boy with the stupid pick-up lines and permanent grease stains under his nails would be the person who pulled me out of that darkness. I've put up a decent front for months, but Nico saw through me. He saw what the Craig's and the Matt's of this world don't bother looking for: my soul.

"Baby, we need to go! Ko is all packed up." Nico calls from the living room. My mom had to work so Nico and I are taking Ko to the airport. She's going back home. School has been out for a week, which means Nico is a high school graduate. He's like an actual adult. I wish I had graduated as well. As soon as graduation was over, Nico grabbed me to rush off the field saying he wanted to leave and never set foot on campus ever again. I don't blame him. Wish I could do the same.

"I'm ready, hang on." I grab the little gift I have for Ko, to be given at the airport and not opened until the plane takes off. Ko and I have been crying on and off for the last week and I can't take it anymore. She's the closest thing to a sister I've ever had I all I can hope for it to see her again someday.

Nico takes my hand as we walk out the door. We take his Challenger because the trunk has more space than mine. Plus, Nico just looks completely hot behind the wheel. It's no sacrifice to leave my 'Stang at home when I get to watch his biceps flex as he steers one-handed.

"I cannot believe it is already over," Ko says from the backseat. I glance back to see her wipe a tear from the corner of her eye.

"You are coming back. Or I am coming to see you in Japan, so no crying. Okay?" I point at her in command.

"Oh, yes. You and Nico must come to visit my home. I will show you wonderful places that are just as beautiful as your love. On your honeymoon you can visit."

Nico coughs. "Um...whoa. I'm eighteen."

I elbow him. Not that I'm planning our wedding. Yet. My freaking gosh, who figured I'd even be thinking like that. Ever. I was set against letting a guy into my heart and Nico bulldozed his way through my walls. Now I can't imagine my life without him.

"Age is only a number." Ko leans forward, resting her forearms on the back of the seat. "Love is ageless, timeless. You will see."

Nico rolls his head, cracking his neck, but says nothing more. He does, however, squeeze my hand a little tighter. I'm taking that as his silent agreement with Ko. I squeeze him back. We're a team. He's got my back and I've got his. That won't change anytime soon.

The rest of the ride is filled with music and reminiscing. We talk about the fun we had at prom hanging out with the group of friends we've become close to. We remember visiting Brax and Savanna at the opening of his Classics museum, playing with their daughter and holding their cute six-month-old son.

Ko mentions something about watching Nico work on his latest rebuild, an old Dodge Charger that he said is for someone he knows, and Nico's hand grips mine a little tighter. I know what he's silently saying to me. Reminding me of the late nights he and I hung out in the garage. Alone. On his couch. My skin heats at the memory and I hold his hand a little closer.

We pull up to the curb for international flights and help Ko get her bags out of the trunk. With all of the shopping she's done she has another full suitcase of her loot.

"This is where we say so long, see you later. No goodbye for us." Ko hugs me then Nico. There's a little shine of emotion in our eyes but no one lets the tears fall.

"Here." I hold out the little gift bag I had hidden. "Don't open it until you are up in the clouds. Promise."

Ko takes the gift and nods. None of us are able to say much more without crying. Even Nico seems sad to see her go. We owe so much to her. Our relationship may not be where it is without her encouragement.

"I promise. You are my sister now, April. We will always be connected." Ko lifts her camera and snaps a picture of Nico and I without warning. I'm sure there's a crazed look on my face in the shot but that's what Ko likes so I say nothing.

Nico says his goodbyes and thanks Ko for being such a good friend to all of us. Ko declares him her brother and without another word turns to catch her flight. Nico and I get back into his car and pull away.

"I can't believe she's gone," I say. "I can't believe you've graduated. I can't believe this entire year." My head shakes as I let the memories flow.

"I can't believe Matt isn't in jail." Nico laughs but I turn a scowl at him.

"Why would you bring him up?" I hate that guy, but I have no desire to talk about him.

"Oh, I thought we were coming up with all of the things that make us say hmmm."

"Not if it has to do with Matt. I'll be happy to never see or hear about him again."

"Unfortunately, he still goes to school with you."

"Doesn't mean I have to have any interactions with him." I cross my arms defiantly. "He won't survive what I would do to him."

Nico lifts my hand to plant a kiss on the back of it. "He'll get his." The words sound certain, but I have my doubts. He's slippery.

I decide a subject change is necessary. "So, who's this big shot you're restoring the Charger for?" Nico has been hyper focused on this project for a few weeks now but he won't say much.

"Actually, I wanted to talk to you about that."

I twist a little to look at him. "Okay, talk."

"It's for my cousin, Garrett. He and his mom are moving back into town in a few weeks. I haven't seen him in four years, so this is a big deal for me."

I nod. Nico's talked a little about Garrett, his cousin who does all of the design work on the restoration projects. "That's awesome, Nico. I'd love to meet him."

Nico gives me a side glance with a sense of hesitation attached to it.

"What?"

"I should probably tell you about him before you guys meet. There's some things you need to know."

My mouth goes dry. He sounds so serious it's making me nervous.

"Don't leave me hanging after a statement like that, Nico." I can't imagine what he has to warn me about.

Nico takes a deep breath. "It's a long story, but the main thing is that Garrett is really closed off. Quiet. He doesn't like looking people in the eye or taking much. I think it's gotten worse since he and his mom left town."

"Why? Is he shy?" I guess I'll have to tone down my personality around this guy otherwise I might scare him off.

"No. He's been through a lot. Stuff with his family, his sister. When he was a kid, he kind of had an injury. It left him with a huge scar on his face. I think that's the main reason he's so private."

Oh. Shit. "I can be sensitive, you know." I'm worried Nico thinks I'll call the guy out on something like that. I never would.

"Of course, baby. I know you'll treat him kindly. I just want you to understand how he is so you won't take offense if he seems like he doesn't want you around."

I nod. That makes sense. "I'll make sure to take my cues from you. If you need me to back off for a while to make him more comfortable, let me know."

Nico kisses the side of my head. "And that's why I love you. You are so compassionate. But no, if Garrett can't handle having you around, he'll need to pull up his big boy pants. You are non-negotiable."

I rest my head on Nico's shoulder. "That's why I love you. You put me first."

The rest of the ride home is silent, the two of us just enjoying each other. My life is better than I could have imagined it would be just a few months ago. I'm so grateful to have Nico by my side. He is absolutely much more than just enough. He is everything.

Here we are! The first of two epilogues!! We say goodbye to Ko (tears!) and prepare to say hello to Garrett. There is also a little Matt reminder thrown in for a good reason...

The next story chronologically is More Than This, even though I wrote that book first. It is 20k words longer than this story (clocking in at 90k) and follows Garrett, Matt and a new character, Amber, equally. Yes, you will get Matt's POV. You will still hate him...mostly. But his redemption arc begins there.

I am going to start Matt's story as well. It will overlap just a little with MTT but then follow him to college. I have the entire story plotted and I am so excited!!! His story will be a stand alone, meaning you don't have to have read NQE or MTT to read it, but because you've read this one, if you haven't read MTT, Matt's story will feel like something is missing. BUT HIS STORY IS GOING TO BE SO GOOD!!! So read MTT if you haven't!!

DISCLAIMER- I wrote More Than This several years ago, only the third story I'd ever written. It is in rough draft form and definitely needs revision. But the characters are loved and the plot is strong so I hope you can overlook some of the awkward writing! I've grown so much since then!

https://youtu.be/wwKwoU9cQ_o

Come find me on Instagram at CynthiaAnnAuthor!! Lots of teasers, book and author favorites, reviews and more!