1 year later...

The grass noisily ruffles beneath me when I sit, crossing my legs and getting comfortable. The breeze around me immediately picks up and circles me like a warm welcome. I smirk.

"Can never resist saying hi to your boy, huh?" I lean forward and brush a hand over the gravestone. "Hey, Mom."

Another breeze whips through the air and this time I laugh, setting my hands behind me on the wet grass.

"I always tell Landon you do this when it's just us but the little shit never believes me." I shake my head. "Hard to believe he graduated high school yesterday. Figures you made a video for that too. I got to admit, I thought I was special in that regard."

There's a waver in the wind, like she's laughing, and I smile.

"We miss you," I say quietly. "Fuck, we miss you so much. So much has happened that you should have been here for, Mom. It's still not fair that you're not here."

I hate the silence that greets me. She should be making some smart-ass jab at me or giving me shit or coddling the fucking out of me when I don't deserve it. I rub my hand over the grass, wishing so fucking bad that I could hug her one more time. I've needed them so much.

"Your boy made something out of himself," I whisper, rubbing my thumb along the dirt. "You always knew I would. You should be here gloating. You should especially be here today."

I swallow hard and reach inside my pocket, retrieving my phone. I open up the most recent picture on my camera roll and stare down at it.

It's a billboard in downtown Boston of Zack and I. It's advertising the grand opening of our architecture firm, HC Holdings. Hunter and Cage. We never saw it coming. After graduation we had nothing we were passionate about and millions to our name. What the fuck were we going to do — sit around and cash it in? I felt so goddamn restless, like I was wasting life especially when I knew how short it was. During one of my sleepless nights the idea just came to me.

I wanted to open a cancer research center in Mom's name.

I wanted to honour her life but I wanted to do it myself. I wanted to see through the whole project myself but I knew I couldn't do it alone. I ran the idea by Dad who'd never looked so fucking proud of me. I knew I could do it too, with Zack's help, because his degree was in architectural studies. He agreed immediately. It took us a year to put it together start to finish. As of now the firm is in our fathers' names because we still don't know shit but as soon as we turn twenty-six, their stocks go to us and we'll run it from that point. That means we have three years to learn everything we can about how this works. It's going to be busy and difficult but now we both have something to do and it's fucking worthwhile. In three years, we're going to open that research center for Mom. I'm going to see to it myself.

"Give me three years," I tell her with a tight throat. "As soon as I become head of the firm, I'm signing on as leader of this project. I'm going to do it, Mom. You might be gone but you're going to help millions. I promise."

I don't say anything after that, just enjoying this silence with her for a couple of minutes. Giving her time to digest all of this. I know she hears me. I have to believe that or I'd go fucking insane. I still need her. That's why I visit her grave all the time. That's why I talk to her when I'm up and can't sleep. Although I'm getting better at that. Tia finally convinced me to try therapy with her and I've gotten down to only staying awake two days in a row. She's confident in another year I can manage sleeping properly again. Says I'll need it if I'm going to run a firm someday. It's a good motivator, I'll give her that. It's amazing how much more level-headed and calmer I am when I'm actually getting sleep.

"I'm doing good," I say after a while. "Dad is...okay. You know I won't lie to you and say he's fine. He's not but he's dealing with it. And Landon...fuck. I'm trying so hard to keep him in line."

My jaw ticks, a headache coming on at the thought of what a fuck show the past year has been with him.

"He's changed," I admit hoarsely. "He's so fucking cold and detached. Between me and Dad we're trying to pull him out of whatever he's in but it's hard. He's self-sufficient so we can't even say he's destroying his life. You know he's a genius. He's been falling apart since we lost you but he managed straight A's as usual. Valedictorian. Harvard Law. It's kind of laughable he's becoming a lawyer because being an asshole comes with the status. Said that in four years he expects to invest in HC Holdings and own a portion of the firm. He'll take care of all the logistics and shit. His words were that he'll see us in four years so I don't even know if he plans on visiting us from university. I think we're losing him, Mom. He acts like he's not part of our family anymore."

I sigh in frustration. I tried so fucking hard with him. I thought I was tough to deal with but Landon is worse. Worse in the sense that he knows he doesn't need us. He's all business. He does his shit and stays away from us completely. He barely talks to us. Just stays in his room studying. It's not like he's being an asshole on purpose. He's just different now. He grew up too fast and feels too far gone to catch up with. I guess I shouldn't be surprised because death changes people but I didn't expect it to hit Landon this way.

"I wish you were here, Mom. We're doing okay but you'd make it better. You'd know what to do."

I rub the grass again, leaning my forehead on the gravestone. The coolness is a slap in the face because I should be feeling her warmth instead. I can't believe it's been a year and a half since I've felt it.

"I love you a little more everyday," I whisper. "Don't stop watching over me, okay? You must be doing one hell of a job for me to still be here. I know you're with me, just like you promised."

The wind picks up around me again and I close my eyes with a smile. Maybe it's wishful thinking but I'm going to believe that's her version of a hug. I'll take it. A thousand fucking times over. I kiss the gravestone and get to my feet again.

"Bye, Mama."

I reluctantly head back because the world is still moving forward even if she's gone. I wish it had stopped along with her breaths but I know she wouldn't want that. Only fucking reason I wake up everyday.

That and the girl I walk towards now, the one leaning against my car and watching me with a smile. My gaze drops, appreciating the skin-tight red dress that molds to her every curve. She watches me with similar heat and I barely suppress a smile. The fire in her gaze used to burn me but now it sparks me to life. My firecracker.

"You should wear a suit more often," Olivia suggests when I'm close enough to hear her. Her teeth toy with her bottom lip.

"So you keep saying." I stop in front of her, thumb freeing her lip so I can lean down to kiss it instead. I feel her hands take hold of my tie to pull me closer and I don't stop until my body is pressing hers against the car. My hands find her waist, gripping tightly as my tongue works hers. A new kind of heat courses through me and I groan, pulling away. "Think we have time?"

"The ceremony is in an hour." She laughs. "No way."

"Come on, Livvy." I nip her earlobe. "Since when are you a good girl?"

She laughs again and when she pulls back, her eyes are dancing with amusement. "You play dirty."

"I am dirty, baby. Name a position and I'll show you."

"Mhmm." The rise and fall of her chest betrays her non-chalant act. I know she wants me just as badly but still, she puts a palm to my chest and pushes me back. "That can wait until we get back to your place tonight."

She's referring to the house I bought a month back. It was a change I needed, especially with HC Holdings taking off. I'm starting my own life now and I need to be ready for it. I need to be able to handle it.

"Can't wait that long," I counter. My hand slips behind her thigh and I lift her leg to wrap it around my torso. Immediately my cock pushes against her center and she gasps softly, eyes flashing with excitement. I smirk. There's my dirty girl. "As soon as we get to the banquet hall, I'm taking you against the first dark wall I can find. Hidden or not."

She licks her lip and I watch with a gaze I know is molten. "Deal."

I chuckle, leaning down to whisper against her mouth. "You shouldn't make deals with the devil."

I feel her smile back. "I'll take my chances."

This time a groan escapes me before I can help it and I crush my mouth to hers. I wonder if I'll ever stop feeling so goddamn addicted to her and her touch. I wonder if I'll ever stop needing her. Highly fucking doubt it which only makes me more confident in what's about to happen.

"Here." I hand her my keys when I pull away and she takes them.

"These aren't your car keys." She points out with a frown.

"They're my house keys. Keep them."

"What?" Laughter bubbles out of her. "Why?"

"Move in with me."

Her mouth parts in obvious shock and for a moment she just stares at me. Totally floored. I could give a fuck.

"It's not a question," I clarify and stare at her expectantly.

"Move in..." She trails off, struggling to find her voice. "Lucas. That's insane."

"So?"

"So? This is a huge commitment. We're still kids!"

My grin is all kinds of wicked. "Could have fooled me. We do plenty of adult stuff."

She smacks my chest, glaring. "I'm serious. Think about what you're saying."

"I have," I counter. "Spent fucking weeks doing that and you want to know what I came up with? You and I are endgame. We're forever. So whether I ask you now, or a year from now, or six years from now, makes no fucking difference because it's going to happen eventually. And I'd rather it be sooner than later because I spent enough years not having you. You are so fucking mine, baby. I won't hold back proving that to you. These stupid keys are nothing compared to what I want to give you but it's a start. Start with me, Olivia."

Tears have gathered in her eyes but I can still read them. I know her answer before she even says anything because I know her. My mouth tips up as she shakes her head at me.

"My dad is going to kill me," She whispers dejectedly.

I can't hold my smile back for the life of me. I bend down and throw her over my shoulder, laughing at the way she shrieks and demands to be put down. Fucking whatever.

"She said yes, Mom!" I call out loudly, facing the direction of her grave. "You're working all kinds of magic today!"

"Lucas!" Olivia hisses. "If your mom is watching then she can see up my dress so put me down!"

I set her back on her feet, not even blinking at the scowl she tosses my way. Drama queen. She's as happy as I am. My smile is all kinds of boastful when hers finally gets the better of her and she laughs.

"Everyone is going to think we're crazy." She points out.

"So let them. When have I ever given a fuck what anyone thinks?"

She rolls her eyes. "Clearly. Who else would be late to the opening of their own firm? Come on."

She starts to turn but I grab her hand and pull her back against me. My hands seek her waist and I lift her up without effort, holding her up. Her arms go around my neck automatically and she looks at me in question.

"I love you," I remind her because she deserves to be reminded of it all the fucking time.

"I know," She quips. Smart-ass. I slap her ass in reprimand and she laughs, pressing our foreheads together. "Te amo, mi corazón. Siempre."

My lips seek hers and she kisses me back softly, making me feel so goddamn whole.

I used to think I'd always be lost, that I'd never know where I belong in this fucked up world that I've always hated. But now I know my home is with Olivia. It's always been with her and maybe I used to be so fucking angry because I was really just  homesick. For so many years I was ungrounded, untethered, until I found my way back to her. The girl who loved the villain, and made him believe he was worthy of love too.

Who says villains don't get to tell their stories?

THE END

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Please read on for the Author's Note and information on my next release!