Everything I could ever hope for is waiting for me at the airport, ready to take me home.
EPILOGUE
A FEW MONTHS LATER
Beck
Jordan’s article came out about a month ago. It was a huge career break for him, the story blew up, and his company has him running non-stop with follow-ups and interviews as more people come forward.
The story got enough attention that Viktor and some of the other top executives were arrested on racketeering charges, and there are talks of more charges being added as the investigation continues.
Cody was questioned because of his role in the company, but we’d already turned over all of the information we gathered and explained our role in getting Jordan involved, so his interrogation was pretty short, and Cody was quickly cleared of any charges.
My family started a nonprofit in Linna. We’re really concerned about everyone who’s still there, and we’ve hired a few therapists, and even someone who specializes in helping victims of cults with deconditioning the learned cult behaviors and ways of thinking.
We’ve set up a fund for the victims to help pay their bills and cover the cost of living now that the company has been shut down and so many people are out of work. My family started with a fifty million dollar donation, and we’ve set up ways for people who’ve seen the news stories to donate to the victims, but it’s not a long-term solution. Some people left, attempting to rekindle the severed relationships with their families or seek new job opportunities, but the majority of ex-Kyla members are still in Linna.
The government has seized all of Kyla’s former assets as a part of the investigation, but I’ve already expressed interest in purchasing the properties after they’ve concluded. I’d like to eventually use the campus to help rebuild the town and turn it into something more positive, find a way to give all of those people employment again.
I know that Cody misses Montana and would love to go back to help, but for now, we’re helping from Chicago and staying near our support system.
We’ve been back for a few months now. The Werewolves preseason has started, and I’m excited about our chances this year—although yesterday, I found out our captain was served divorce papers in the locker room in front of reporters. I’m not looking forward to the media shitstorm that will cause.
Apparently, he was completely blindsided, and his wife kicked him out, changed the locks, and everything. He was afraid of the media at hotels, and to my complete surprise, is now staying with Adrian at his condo. Roy said something about wanting to be away from the team while he felt like his life was imploding, and Mr. Fix-it, Adrian, is now his new roommate.
It’s giving Roy’s agent and the team’s PR team a second to figure out a plan for him, though, so it works for me.
Cody had reached out to Nick before we were even on the plane to give him a very quick explanation about our sudden departure and to apologize for leaving so abruptly. After we were settled here, Cody and Nick talked extensively. Nick was a little apprehensive at first, but after a few days of thinking over everything that Cody had told him, he booked his own flight to Chicago and showed up on our doorstep unannounced.
Jordan, Adrian, some of my brothers, and Parker had been over for dinner when he arrived. Jordan was talking with us about his plans for the next phase of the article when Nick walked in, and I swear, I thought I’d have to scrape Jordan’s jaw off the floor. He couldn’t stop staring.
Having Nick here has been great for Cody. It gives him a tie to this “old life” without all the bad parts. I also think it’s good for him to have someone he didn’t meet through me.
Even though Cody loves my family and friends, and is absolutely one of us now, I know he still worries about giving someone else too much influence over him again. He was so relieved when we were able to cut the necklace off—I never want him to feel trapped like that again.
He’s also gotten pretty close with Adrian and Parker after they helped him with his finances, but Oakley and Parker have been acting weird around each other lately, making it hard to hang out with them. Oakley came over the other daywithout Parkerfor the first time that I can ever remember, and he asked Cody a ton of questions about his experience realizing he was bi after assuming he was straight his whole life.He wouldn’t explain why he was so curious, though.
There’s definitely something going on with them that they aren’t telling me, but as far as I know, they’re both still dating the girls from their building, and with everything that’s been going on with my own life, I haven’t pushed it. They’ll talk to me when they’re ready.
Cody ended up reaching out to his half-brother, Jameson, who was completely surprised. Apparently, he hadn’t checked the app after getting his own results, so he’d never known about Cody. He was thrilled, though— they’ve been texting and calling every day since, and he seems like a great guy. He’s still out in California but is planning to visit soon. They still haven’t confronted their parents about it yet. Cody’s hoping to do that after he actually meets him to make sure they’re on the same page about how to approach it.
Cody also isn’t sure what he wants to do for work yet, but the therapist that he’s been working with recommended he volunteer at a shelter for victims of abuse that she’s involved with, and he’s been loving it. I know that we both still have healing to do after our time in Linna, but I’m so happy we ended up where we are, together.
Cody moved in with me as soon as we got back to Chicago. Spending a month together in Linna proved we fit well in the same place, but having him here, in my home, is so much better than I could have ever fantasized about.
Some of my family members were concerned that it was too soon for us to be living together, but after everything that we’ve been through, it felt right for both of us. Every night that he’s in my bed feels like a gift, and every morning, waking up with him in my armsafterthe sunrise is perfect.
Cody says he likes my condo just fine, but I have a surprise for him on the way to dinner at my grandparents’ house today.
“This isn’t the street we normally take,” Cody notes after I pull into their neighborhood and turn away from their house.
“Very astute observation,” I tease.
“So, where are we going?” he laughs, but I just smile and keep my eyes on the road.
A few moments later, we pull into the drive of a beautiful white Victorian farmhouse that’s been completely restored. The details on the architecture are painted yellow, and when I first saw the pictures, it made me think of my sunshine man. The wraparound porch reminds me of his house in Montana, and the huge fenced-in yard would be perfect for a dog.
I offered to go with him to adopt one shortly after we came back, but said he couldn’t picture a dog in my fancy condo. I started looking at real estate listings for houses that night.
