Page 123 of The Monster I Am
I’m confused at first, but apparently it wasn’t directed at me because Ry stands, disappearing out of the bedroom.
The door across the hallway opens, closing again a few seconds later before he re-emerges, holding a long, black garment bag.
“What’s that?” I ask, puzzled as I scan it curiously.
Hunter takes the bag from Ry, facing the zipper away from me as he opens the bag. “We have a gift for you.”
My eyebrow shoots up. “Don’t tell me it’s a dress and that Soph has persuaded you to team up against me for prom,” I amusedly mutter.
“Not quite,” Ry answers, as Tai grabs a folder from under the bed, holding it out toward me.
“What’s this?” I ask suspiciously, taking it from him. At no point can I confidently guess their next move, completely bewildered as I hold back a laugh.
But as I flick open the folder, my smile falters when I spot what’s inside.
“... How did you get this?” My voice is quiet, low. I’m seconds away from breaking, wondering if what I’m seeing is real.
Because it can’t be. Can it?
Hunter slips the garment bag off, revealing the piece inside. My eyes widen in astonishment. I’d recognize her drawings anywhere, even if Mom’s signature wasn’t scribbled at the bottom, staring back at me.
My hand cups my mouth as I read the handwritten date next to her name. She drew this while she was in the hospital, days before she was suddenly ripped away from me.
The dress Hunter is holding up is a perfect replica of her sketch. The soft lavender tulle gown has a sweetheart neckline that dips into a semi-sheer corset-style bodice. Thin shoulder straps dazzle in the light from little silver gems, similar to ones along the waist band before three tiers of soft tulle cascade to the floor.
It’s exactly me.
Because it is. She designed it…for me. Her final gift.
Ry kneels down so we’re face to face. “It was in her belongings from the hospital,” he replies in a tender tone. “It must have fallen under my bed. So, the three of us decided to have it made for you.”
“Now you have a piece of her again,” Hunter adds. “Something those bastards haven’t touched.”
Tai beams, elbows to his knees, resting his chin atop cupped hands. “Soph said you can keep it in her closet if you want or if you don't have the space at Archer’s.”
I’m choked up by the gesture, still speechless as Hunter hands the dress to Tai, shuffling in front of me. He grabs my face, giving me a soft smile.
“I love you as well, Duchess.”
Chapter thirty-nine
Rylan
The tension dissipates from Bex, her face softening at H. She launches forward, throwing her arms around his neck, the force sending them both crashing into a heap on my bedroom floor.
Tai shoots me a grin and I can’t help but give my own. After everything that’s happened, it finally feels like some weight has shifted off our shoulders. Together, we can beat this.
I feel around the outside of my pocket, relieved that the tickets are still there. If at first you don’t succeed by dying in a car crash, try again. Or whatever it is they say.
Gripping the laminated paper between my fingers, I start to pull them out, but I get sidetracked by the sight of Bex and Hunter heatedly making out.
That escalated fast.
She’s straddling him, still positioned on top of his body from barreling them over, and apparently, that’s also distracted Hunter.
His hands are greedily clinging to her hips, and part of me feels like a stalker watching, but it’s hypnotizing witnessing their intensity climb.
When I glance over at Tai to wordlessly ask if we should give them some privacy, he’s locked under their spell as well.
