Chapter: 255

Chapter 255

Devante

"Happy Birthday!"

Eden shrieks with laughter, holding a hand to her chest. "Y'all scared the hell outta me!"

We've all gathered in Ryan and Whitney's back yard, enjoying the last of the summer days, lounging by the pool. The biggest thing going on today, though? Eden's birthday.

"You surprised?" I ask her as we have a seat beside each other, dangling our legs in the water.

"Shocked is more like it. I can't believe you went to this trouble."

"Wasn't just me," I defend. "Stella, Kels, and Alisa had a lot to do with it too. It was a group effort."

"A family effort," Alisa yells as she stands at the grill, holding a plate for Menace to transfer the cooked hamburgers and hotdogs onto.

"Yeah." I sling my arm around Eden's shoulders. "A family effort."

"Who knew these people would end up being our family," she whispers.

I laugh right along with her. "I wouldn't trade these people for any of the other friends I've ever had."

"You're right." She tilts her head