Only Human

Chapter 20

The summer after graduation felt like a dream.

Alec still worked part-time at the school, cleaning two days a week and picking up lawn maintenance jobs for extra income. I found myself at Mrs. Duncan’s bookstore, helping her run the little shop she’d owned for forty years. Since her husband’s passing, she’d struggled to manage on her own, and she’d become almost like family. Alec even did handyman work for her around the store and her house. Her son lived hours away, so I think she enjoyed having us around.

Not everyone was as welcoming. My friends hadn’t exactly jumped for joy when I revealed Alec. Ruby, especially, had painted him as some manipulative villain. Flash was more hurt that I hadn’t trusted him enough to tell him sooner. But slowly—even Ruby was coming around. Flick, of course, was Flick: warm, understanding, unbothered.

Dean and I hadn’t spoken since graduation, and I no longer set foot in his house. Flick and I still hung out, but always at neutral places—the mall, the diner, and more often than not, Mrs. Duncan’s shop. It became our safe little haven.

But summer was winding down. College loomed just weeks away. And before that—Alec’s birthday.

---

I wandered the mall aimlessly, growing more frustrated with every store I left empty-handed. What do you buy for the man who deserves everything? Just as I was about to give up, a little personalized gift shop caught my eye. Inside, a leather braided bracelet with silver beads all but called to me. I had two beads engraved: one with my name, one with his. Perfect.

I also found a simple wooden frame for my favorite photo of us, taken by Mrs. Duncan. Alec’s arms wrapped around me from behind, both of us smiling—not at the camera, but at each other. That’s what I loved most about it. It was real.

When I reached our apartment, I heard a male voice that wasn’t Alec’s. Inside, Alec sat with a tall, familiar-looking man on the couch. Alec’s face lit up the second he saw me.

“Jess, this is my mate Finn.”

I smiled and shook Finn’s hand. “Alec’s told me so much about you. It’s great to finally put a face to the name.”

“And you,” Finn grinned. “Finally meeting the girl who makes him this happy. Hope you don’t mind if I crash here tonight. Wanted to be around for his birthday.”

“Of course not.”

The three of us traded stories late into the night. Finn had a knack for dragging out embarrassing memories of Alec, much to my delight.

“So, now that you’ve finished college, what’s next for you, Finn?” I asked.

Finn shot Alec a mock glare. “Thanks for asking, Jess. Unlike some people, who forgot.”

Alec rolled his eyes, grinning.

“I majored in architecture,” Finn continued, “and landed an internship in New York with a firm that actually impresses people.”

My eyes widened. “That’s incredible! Congratulations.”

“Thanks.” He nodded toward our bookshelf, stacked with novels. “And what about you? Major?”

“English Lit,” I said with a sheepish smile.

Finn chuckled. “Figures. Those shelves don’t exactly scream Alec. Unless there’s a hidden stack of comics somewhere?”

Alec groaned. “I read in school!”

“Because you had to,” Finn shot back, and the two dissolved into laughter.

Eventually, I excused myself to give them time alone. Their laughter carried through the wall as I drifted off to sleep.

---

The next morning, Alec lay sprawled across the bed, snoring and drooling. The sight was too tempting. I snapped a photo. A giggle escaped me just as my phone buzzed—a message from Ruby.

Hey Jess, Matt’s having a party Saturday as a last catch-up before college. You should come. I guess Alec can too.

I texted back quickly: Sounds good. We’ll be there.

“Argh, what time is it?” Alec groaned, half-asleep. “Hard to sleep when all I hear is your typing.”

I laughed, snapping another photo and showing it to him.

“Delete it,” he demanded.

“Not until I’ve posted it online,” I teased.

He lunged, tickling me mercilessly until I shoved the phone down my shirt. Alec smirked. “You think that’ll stop me?”

Moments later, his kisses trailed down my chest, past my breasts, and toward the phone. He tossed it aside with a wicked grin, continuing lower until my laughter melted into gasps. With Finn asleep in the other room, I bit down on my hand, stifling my cries as Alec’s mouth worked its magic.

When he finally filled me, his thrusts deep and steady, all thoughts of Finn’s presence vanished.

Afterward, tangled and breathless, I whispered, “We still have to take Finn to breakfast.”

Alec groaned but smiled. “Fine. But first—round two later.”

---

At the diner, my stomach dropped. Dean, Brock, Audrey, and Bonnie sat in a booth, glaring at us like vultures. Alec slid his arm around me protectively. Audrey’s eyes narrowed, fury plain on her face.

When Finn ducked to the bathroom, Alec’s gaze locked on Dean’s. The tension was thick enough to choke on.

Then Alec pulled me close and kissed me hard—primal, possessive, a statement meant for Dean as much as for me. When he pulled back, he smirked toward Dean.

The napkin holder clattered onto the floor as Dean stormed out, the others trailing behind.

I glared at Alec. “I’m not some trophy, Alec.”

“What? I was making it clear you’re mine.”

“It was obvious already. You were just rubbing it in.”

He shrugged. “Maybe I was. Maybe I earned that right.”

Before I could argue, Finn returned, and we pasted on fake smiles. But a part of me was unsettled.

---

Thursday came—Alec’s 22nd birthday. I woke early to surprise him. French toast with fresh fruit, syrup, chocolate drizzle, cinnamon sugar—the works. I set it beside his gifts: the bracelet, the framed photo, and a box of chocolates.

When he wandered out, hair mussed, he stopped in his tracks.

“Surprise! Happy birthday.”

“Is that French toast?” His eyes went wide. “Baby, you’re the best. This is a masterpiece. Did you secretly sneak to a café?”

I raised a brow and gestured to the sink full of dirty dishes.

He laughed, devouring a bite before spotting his gifts. When he opened the bracelet, rolling the silver beads with our names between his fingers, his expression softened into something that stole my breath.

“Jess… I love it.” He pulled me into a crushing hug, kissing me until I laughed against his lips. “Best birthday ever.”

Later, at the beach, I finally wore the white bikini I’d hidden for years. Alec never took his eyes off me, and for once, instead of shame, I felt… beautiful.

We swam, splashed, laughed until my sides ached. When he pulled me close in the water, his hazel eyes locked on mine, I knew he meant it when he whispered:

“Someday, when I’m a successful web developer and you’re done with college, I’m going to marry you, Jess. We’ll have little baby Alecs and Jesses running around.”

Tears stung my eyes, but my smile was wide. “Even if we never became a success, I’d still be happy. As long as I have you.”

He brushed his nose against mine, grinning. “Then we’ll be just fine.”

And floating there in the ocean, wrapped in his arms, I finally believed him.