Forbidden Love

51

Luna

"Are we there yet?" I ask for the hundredth time from between Sebastian and Joseph in the backseat. They tied something around my eyes a few miles back, so I have absolutely no idea where we're going.

"Almost." Corey answers patiently from the driver's seat.

"Stop pestering us about it or we'll turn around and let you spend your birthday alone in your room." JJ huffs from the passenger seat.

"You're infuriating," I mutter and pull at my dress. JJ told me to dress cute, so I picked a short baby blue satin dress. It's laced in the back and way too complicated to get into. It's the cutest thing I own. JJ told me it was perfect. She even helped me with my makeup and did my hair for me. It's down, but two little pieces in the front are tied back making a little crown.

Definitely my best look in months. Possibly years.

A few minutes later—though it feels like forever—Joseph takes my seatbelt off and helps me out of the car.

"Will you guys just tell me where we are?"

"It's a surprise." Joseph says.

"It doesn't have to be." I smile the best I can.

Corey nudges me forward. "Just walk, Luna."

Joseph and Corey both have a hand on me. I know it's them because I hear JJ and Sebastian somewhere in front of us talking to each other. I sigh and keep walking.

Suddenly we stop, and Joseph walks away from me. I feel Corey fumble with my tie and then he pulls it off my head.

The beach? This was the big secret? I start to ask Corey about it, but he turns me around and my eyes go wide.

"Surprise!" People shout.

My eyes find JJ standing with Kalani and Olivia. Then to Sebastian and Joseph. Maddi's here too which is kind of weird, but not bad because I sort of like her and her stories. And lastly my gaze lands on Julia, Paxton, and...Jaxon?

He looks as lost as I feel.

"Corey? What's going on?" I manage to ask as I look at all the decorations. There are tables propped up on the sand with various drinks and snacks.

"A party." He says and then leans into my ear. "I wasn't in charge of the guest list. Blame JJ."

I glance over to Paxton who is grinning from ear to ear. He blows a little party favor and then waves.

JJ and Joseph come sauntering over.

"You did all this?" I ask them. I hate all the attention, but my siblings seem happy, so it makes me happy.

"It was mostly Corey." Joseph says. "He said you've been acting weird lately."

I bite my lip. I have been acting weird, but that's because Jaxon has been taking up most of my time lately. I've been out of the loop with my siblings, and I hate it. Keeping my family secret has left me alienated from society, but keeping Jaxon a secret has left me feeling separate from my family. I don't know what to do.

"Dad paid for most of this." He tells me, but I read in between the lines. Dad paid for some of this, Corey paid for most of it. I hope he didn't dip into his college savings. "He wishes he could come, but he had to stay home...you know how it is."

Of course, I do. It doesn't make me miss my dad any less. He wanted to treat me to dinner tonight after work, but I think we'll end up eating at home. I don't want him spending unnecessary money.