CHAPTER 51

CHAPTER 51

EZRA

When I woke up, for a second I thought I’d died and gone to heaven.

The couch was way too soft, the blanket was warm, and there was a faint smell of cinnamon in the air.

Then I opened my eyes and saw Dorian’s living room.

Right. Not heaven. Just… dangerously close.

“Good morning,” came his voice from the kitchen.

I jerked upright. “Oh my God—”

He was leaning against the counter with a mug of coffee, hair damp like he’d just showered, wearing a plain T-shirt and joggers. Joggers. I wasn’t ready for that visual assault this early.

“I didn’t mean to fall asleep,” I blurted.

“I told you to,” he replied, annoyingly calm. “You looked like you were about to collapse.”

“I should go,” I mumbled, rubbing my face. “I have class.”

He nodded, though his eyes lingered on me longer than they should have. “I packed breakfast. Eat it on the way.”

“Father—” I started, then caught the look he gave me. “Dorian,” I corrected.

His lips twitched. “Good boy.”

My ears burned. “Stop saying things like that.”

“Why?” he asked innocently, handing me the bag.

I snatched it before my brain could short-circuit further. “You’re evil.”

He opened the door for me. Rain was gone. The sky was ridiculously bright, like the universe was mocking me. “Go on,” he said softly. “And Ezra?”

I turned back.

“You did well yesterday,” he said. “Your mom would be proud.”

For a second, I couldn’t speak. My throat tightened, my chest went warm and heavy. “Thanks,” I whispered, then ran before I got emotional again.

By the time I got to campus, Lily had already texted me twenty-four times.

Lily 👑:

> WHERE ARE YOU

Have you left Father's house?

I sighed, shouldered my bag, and headed to class. The day blurred into a haze of lectures, notes, and my brain occasionally flashing to Dorian in joggers. Which—no. Stop.

After my last lecture, Lily and Jordan were waiting outside like a pair of overly enthusiastic kidnappers.

“There he is!” Lily yelled dramatically, waving like I was a celebrity. “Our boy!”

Jordan grinned. “We’re feeding you.”

“I’m fine,” I said.

Lily narrowed her eyes. “Ezra Monroe, if you dare say no after the week you’ve had—”

I held up my hands. “Fine. Fine! I’ll come.”

“Good.” She looped her arm through mine. “Jordan, the car.”

“Yes, ma’am,” she said, saluting.

They dragged me to this little restaurant tucked away near campus. The smell of grilled meat and pastries hit me the second we stepped in, and honestly… my resolve melted.

“This place is dangerous,” I muttered, sliding into the booth.

Lily grinned. “Good. You need dangerous. You’ve been moping.”

“I haven’t been moping,” I protested.

Jordan gave me a deadpan look. “You cried on Genevieve’s lap.”

“…Fair.”

They both burst out laughing. I tried to glare but ended up laughing too.

The waiter came and Lily immediately ordered half the menu. “We’re celebrating,” she declared.

Jordan leaned closer. “Celebrating what exactly?”

She smirked. “That he’s not sad today. That’s enough reason.”

My chest warmed. I tried not to smile too much. Failed.

When the food came, it was a mountain. Burgers, fries, pancakes, milkshakes, even a slice of chocolate cake. I stared at it all.

“Eat,” Lily commanded.

“Yes, ma’am,” I said, mocking her tone.

I sat there, watching them bicker like an old married couple, and for the first time in a while, I felt… light. Not just okay. Genuinely happy.

Halfway through the meal, Lily leaned on her elbows. “You look better today.”

“I feel better,” I admitted. “Yesterday was… rough.”

Jordan’s voice softened. “Your mom?”

“Yeah.” I stared at my fries. “I almost forgot. Between exams and—” and Dorian. I swallowed the words. “I felt so guilty.”

Lily reached out and squeezed my hand. “She wouldn’t be mad. She’d want you to live, Ezra.”

Jordan nodded. “Yeah, man. You’re allowed to smile.”

I blinked back a sudden sting in my eyes. “You two are too nice.”

Lily smirked. “We’re also broke now because of this feast, so you owe us.”

I laughed. “Fine. I’ll wash your dishes for a week.”

“Deal,” Jordan said quickly.

“Hey!” Lily glared at her. “I was going to negotiate for two weeks.”

“Too late,” she said smugly.

I leaned back, laughing at their antics. For a few hours, everything felt normal again. No priests. No guilt. No threats. Just friends and too much food.

After lunch, they insisted on walking me partway to the library.

Lily slung an arm over my shoulder. “See? Look at you. Smiling like a human again.”

“I smile,” I protested.

Jordan gave me a look. “Not like this. You were all broody tragic choir boy this week.”

I rolled my eyes. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome,” they said in unison.

I stopped at the library steps, facing them. “Thanks. For today.”

Lily smiled softly. “Always.”

Jordan fist-bumped me. “Now go. Study. Make your mom proud.”

I watched them walk away, a small smile still tugging at my lips. The weight in my chest hadn’t vanished completely, but it was manageable.

For the first time in a long while, I felt like I could breathe.