I hated the thought of anyone else touching Don, or seeing that half-smile that formed when I complimented him, or hearing the quiet moans he gave as I pleased him, or sharing his gentle thoughts. Don was mine, but I sure as hell couldn’t keep him, because I was going home.
“Do you guys ever consider going back?” I asked when there was a lull in the conversation.
“To Earth?” Pierce asked.
“Yeah.”
“Of course, I did,” Camden said. “Part of me wants to go home because I have a younger brother that I miss terribly, but I have a shit ton of student loans, a dead end job, no healthcare, and deadbeat parents. Here, I actually have a chance to get ahead. I think in the end, I’ll be happier here. But I still miss my brother.”
I looked at Pierce, and she sighed. “I almost decided to go back. I still could, but… This is a chance to do something I would’ve never dreamed of. Will I miss my family? Hell yeah. Do I feel selfish staying? Yep. But after everything that happened I don’t feel like I can go back. I’m a different person now, and I don’t want to erase that. Are you going back?”
“Probably.”
“Why?” she asked.
“I’m going back to erase the person I’ve become,” I whispered. Pierce wanted to stay to remain the person she’d become; I wanted to go back to be the person I used to be.
Camden and Pierce shared a look. Out of everyone, they understood, but it looked like they didn’t agree.
“You can, of course, do what you want,” Camden started, “and I don’t blame you for going back, but are you sure that’s what you want? You can’t take it back. You can stay here, or, well, on their planet, for a bit before you decide. I’m guessing you don’t like therapy, but it would help, Vince.”
“You have Seth and Teddy.” Pierce tried to take my hand, but I pulled away. “You have us.”
I couldn’t stay for them, any more than for Don. I had to stay for myself, and I didn’t know what I wanted. Part of me cringed at the thought of never seeing Earth or my family again. Another part of me hated the thought of leaving Don, Seth, and Teddy. I had no idea what to do.
Thankfully, the door opened and a herd of humans came in led by Caleb.
“Come on,” Caleb called.
I leaped up and moved to Teddy’s side, hooking an arm around his waist. He gave me a grunt before draping an arm over my shoulder. I hugged him, then slid away before I got uncomfortable.
“Let’s go,” I said, leading the way to my room with Seth’s hand in mine.
Kal swore at me as he lifted a drunk Seth into his arms.
I laughed, feeling hot and fuzzy. “He had fun.”
“I did,” Seth shouted, making Pierce, who lay on the floor, groan.
The afternoon had turned to drinking games, which got out of hand, and then turned into a night of drinking, leading to the natural conclusion of most people passed out on my living room floor. The only sober one was Caleb, and he was loud enough without alcohol.
Seth mashed his lips to Kal’s, and I rolled my eyes. Seth was a happy drunk. Kal pulled away. “You are too drunk for that.”
“Spoilsport,” he said, giggling, which made me laugh.
“I like that. Spoilsport. Ruining our fun,” I said.
“So true.” Seth squished Kal’s face between his hands. “But he’s so cute.”
I gagged. “Not really.”
“Yes, he is,” Seth yelled.
I laughed, falling back against the wall. “I’m not into blue.”
Seth burst into laughter.
Kal shook his head and looked at everyone who was passed out, then at Caleb. “What am I supposed to do with you and Bartholomew?”
