Payton's POV

I clicked away on my computer, typing the first few chapters of the book. I found it so interesting how Anthony and Ryan had come through for each other in the situations they were in. I found it really amazing how they'd stayed together since high school. I sighed and thought about my ex-girlfriend. She'd been my middle school friend, and we dated for a few months in high school. I had only talked to her a few times since we broke up. Her name was Aphrodite. Like the Greek goddess. She was definitely one to me...

I abandoned the book and went to my phone. I looked through all of my contacts until I found hers.

P: Hey...

I waited a while. No response.

P: Can we meet up sometime?

Still nothing after a couple hours. I sighed and went back to work. It was tougher than I thought. I barely remembered everything that was told to me, with the possibility of Aphrodite possibly responding distracting me. 

Ryan's POV

I was on a walk with Ella. She insisted that just because I was married to the man I couldn't live without didn't mean I could ignore her, even though I tried to explain I wasn't ignoring her. "Cousins suck," I simply groaned in reply when she dragged me outside. When I say "dragged", I mean she literally took my arm and pulled me to the outdoors. "Ella, you need a lover. Then you'll know how it feels. You never want to let go of them... You'll want to spend every moment with them, and you might even develop separation issues... That last one isn't good, but... You know what I mean," I said with a smile once I'd gotten out of her grasp. "And then I'll leave you alone," she added for me. I smiled wider. "And then you'll leave me alone," I repeated. 

"Well, I did once like someone for a while..." she started. "Who?" I asked curiously. "Ana. Julia's sister..." Ella replied. "Awwwww, that's adorable! Why didn't you make a move?" I asked. Ella shrugged and continued walking in silence. I kept asking her questions about a possible love life, and she looked off into space. "What's up...?" I eventually asked. "What if I just like being the fifth wheel of the group?" she asked. "Why wouldn't you want a lover?" I asked. "I don't know... it just seems odd for me. I've never been able to have a successful relationship. I liked a couple of girls in middle school, but we grew apart quickly. Then I liked Thomas, who fell in love with Julia. And then I liked Ana, who moved away to France. It's not meant for me, alright, Ryan?" she said and sighed. 

"Maybe you just haven't found the right person, Ella. There's alwa-" "Not everyone finds love, Ryan. Love is a game, but it's also a trap. Tying yourself down to a certain feeling, to be with a person.. or people.. who make you feel a way you've never felt. It may seem positive at first, but you already know the toxins of a relationship. You've experienced it firsthand, and you know what it's like," Ella said, interrupting me. It took my mind a while to process what she was saying. We walked a few more minutes before I spoke:

"You're aromantic."

Ella turned to look at me sharply. "What?" she asked. "Your heart's been nothing but broken. You don't believe in love anymore. It's not.. you..." I answered. Ella looked away. "How long have you been like this?" I asked. "I don't know how long it's been anymore...." she said, still hiding her face from me. "Did you think we wouldn't approve?" I asked. She nodded. "Maybe a little, yeah." I hugged my cousin. "Ella, you're my family. By my marriage, you're Anthony's family. And he and Julia are practically siblings, she's married to Thomas, so we're all related, you hear me? And true family takes care of each other, and we don't ridicule each other. So what makes you think we'd be upset?" I asked. Ella shrugged.

I called Julia, Thomas, and Anthony and told them to meet us in the park. Once we were all there, I demanded that Ella tell everyone. "Alright. Fine. Everyone, I'm an aromantic," she said. The mouths of the other three dropped. "When did this happen? Why didn't you tell us?" Julia asked immediately. Ella shrugged again. "A while ago..." "Well, that's cool! Why didn't you think you could tell us?" Anthony followed up. Ella shrugged, had to be the third time now. "Do your shoulders work?" I asked her, which resulted in me getting whacked upside the head.

"Well, let's just hope you don't catch the bouquet at the wedding," Thomas said. I snorted. "Oh, shut up." Ella rolled her eyes but I saw a smile tugging at her lips.

"Speaking of which, when's the wedding even going to be?" Julia asked. I looked at Anthony. He shrugged. "No idea. We're still getting together invitations, and we still can't decide where to get re-married. Ryan wants another beach wedding, and I want a more exotic place. One thing both of us can agree on, no indoor wedding," Anthony said and went on and on about the plans until I kissed him, shutting him up. "Stop talking," I said.

"Hey, which of you is meeting with Payton later?" Ella asked. Julia raised her hand. 

Tammy's POV

It killed me to stay at Connor's house near someone who hated me. Connor and I talked while I held Will in my arms and watched TV together, and Joseph came downstairs, glaring at me. Connor ignored him, but I couldn't. It was like staring at Medusa. His eyes were cold, menacing, and unforgiving.

But then I decided to talk to him.

"Connor, I'm going to go get something to drink. I'll be right back," I said, then I gave him a kiss on the cheek and left for the kitchen, putting my baby brother down next to him. As soon as I walked in, Joseph stared me down. "Why do you hate me so much? I get it, I hurt Connor. Once. He and I have been on good terms ever since. It's only you that refuses to change and grow up. It's hurting your brother even more than I ever did, and you can't see it because you're glued to the past. If you think I'm just going let you continue to-"

I was cut off by Joseph hugging me. "What the-" I started. "Tammy, I'm sorry. I... Connor doesn't know this, but I always liked you. A lot. I was so jealous when you started going out, and I didn't know how to handle it. I'm so, so, so sorry, Tammy..." he said. I put my arms around him and pat his back. 

Payton's POV

I was close to being completely updated on what everyone had been telling me. My phone buzzed. I picked it up and my heart trembled. Aphrodite responded.

A: Hi Payton! I'd love to meet up! Have any good suggestions?

P: Well, a couple I'm interviewing for a book has a wedding coming up. I'll ask them if I can invite you.

I texted Ryan to ask about Aphrodite. He responded with a yes.

P: you can come. It's fine.

A: Great! I can't wait to see you!

P: me neither...

I felt myself smile ear-to-ear. Even if Aphrodite never accepted my feelings for her again, at least I'd be able to see her again. In all her beauty, and how much I truly loved her.

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Look who decided to update!

I can't believe it. This is the second-to-last chapter of this book. the next one will be the wedding, and I have big plans for that. I'm trying to complete this book before the end of the year, so wish me luck with the last chapter!