Shit. I guess my dream of a nap before battle is dead. This conversation is happening a little sooner than I’d like, but I’m ready. Bring it on.
I stretch my arms over my head and let out a monstrous yawn. “Back here, Cece. We need to have a little talk.”
She peeks around the door, and I pat the mattress next to me and smile. She walks into her bedroom, hands clasped behind her back, eyeing me suspiciously the entire time. Her yellow sundress swishes with every stride, showing just enough of her gorgeous legs to get my attention.
“Start talking,” she orders, her cheeks pink with annoyance.
“Tink, I’m afraid I have to evict you.” I exhale a deep breath and shrug.
“Excuse me? What did you say?” Her voice is eerily calm. I shrink away just a bit. The first rule of battle—never underestimate your opponent. Celia may be small, but she’s a feisty little thing.
“I said I’m evicting you. You see, it’s stipulated in your lease I may sever our agreement at any time for a fee. I’m exercising that right. I’ll even be so kind as to help you pack. That’s where the boxes and newspaper come in.”
I smile and put my hands in my lap, inconspicuously protecting my cratchel. If the look on her face is any indication, the crown jewels are in serious risk of being pummeled.
“You wanna know what right I’m about to exercise if you don’t change your mind?”
I shake my head. “Nope. No, I don’t think I do. Besides, I couldn’t change my mind even if I wanted to.” I scoot a little farther away, just in case.
“Oh yeah?” she challenges. “Why’s that?”
“I may have already rented the place out,” I mumble, looking away.
The room goes silent, the calm before the storm. A flurry of flinging hands, violent swears, and pelting glitter assaults me. I alternate between protecting my head and protecting my crotch while I duck for cover.
“Wait, Tink, just wait! Let me explain,” I say as I hug her tight in an effort to stop the onslaught.
She growls and pounds my back. Her tiny fists feel more like a massage than a beating, and I chuckle at the thought. Yeah, that only pisses her off more.
“Celia, I might be kicking you out, but I’ve got a much better place for you to live,” I holler.
Her fists stop beating me and her growls downgrade to frustrated pants. I loosen my hold slightly, and she leans back to meet my eyes. Pink cheeks, wild and wispy hair, and an endless ocean of blue—fuck, I love this girl.
“Where?” The word comes out as a frustrated huff, and she’s poised to resume her attack.
I tip her chin and run my thumb over her bottom lip. I can’t resist, so I press my lips to hers, savoring the taste of her sweet, honeyed gloss. My lips quirk up into a half smile, both excited and fucking terrified of what happens next.
“With me, Tink,” I say softly with a shrug. “I want you to live with me.”
Her eyes widen at my admission, but she hasn’t bolted from the room yet. I’m checking that off in the “win” column for now. I don’t want to spend another day without her, so she needs to see things my way.
“Remember what I told you, Tink. No more space. One mile down the road is too far away as far as I’m concerned. I need you close, and by that, I mean in my bed. Every night. I know this thing between us is new, but my love for you isn’t. I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.” The beginnings of a smile play on her face, so I keep going. “Besides, Adam and I think this house is a perfect fit for Abbie and Violet. They’ve got a built-in babysitting job with the twins next door, and Adam can work on the Volkswagen any time it gives Abbie trouble—”
She covers my mouth with her fingers and shakes her head. She bites her bottom lip, and a magical giggle escapes. She threads her fingers through my hair and runs the tip of her nose along the bridge of mine. My heart gallops in my chest waiting for her answer.
“I don’t want space … I only want you.”
“Yeah?”
She nods her head furiously and shrieks when I toss her onto the bed and devour her neck, her cleavage, and finally her mouth. I pull away as quickly as I descended and dash for the door.
“Wait!” she yells, and I stop at the doorway. She laughs as I struggle to keep still and listen. “Where are you going?”
“Reinforcements, Tink! With Adam’s help, I can get you moved out twice as fast.”
She throws her head back in laughter, and I race in for one more kiss. She wraps her hands around my neck, keeping me close.
“I’m gonna be the best roommate you’ve ever had.” I lick her nose, and she laughs. “When I shower? Door open every time for equal opportunity crotch shots. I’ll even drop the soap and bend over if you whistle real pretty for me.”
“Oh yeah? I’ll leave my dirty underwear all over the apartment, just in case you want a sniff.” She waggles her eyebrows and nods her head.
“Don’t tease, girl.” I pop the back of her panties, and she yelps.
“I’m gonna love you so good,” she whispers, squeezing my neck.
“No more space.”
She grins at me as she lowers her lips to mine. “Not.” Kiss. “One.” Kiss. “Inch.”
“Bring it on,” I say, with steely conviction that overwhelms me.
Bring on the love. Bring on this life. Bring on the storms.
“Mean to Me” by Brett Eldredge
The Present
THE SMELL OF smoke and barbeque tickle my nose. The boys hover around the flat screen, yelling plays to Drew Brees and Sean Payton as if they’re actually listening. The girls and I curl up on the outdoor furniture, doing what we do best—relaxing and talking about the boys.
Cain’s rooftop patio is the perfect place for our evening get together for two reasons. First, Cain has it maxed out with the best outdoor kitchen and entertainment system he could find. And secondly, we couldn’t fit our friends inside the apartment with all the stacks of boxes littering the rooms. I may be moved in, but I’m far from unpacked.
“Congrats on the big move, Cece. I must say, the man wastes no time,” Sara says, with a tip of her beer.
I smile as I watch Cain from across the patio. He takes a pull off his beer, and I salivate watching his throat muscles contract, his Adam’s apple bob. Oh yeah, I’m obsessed. But it feels so good to be able to watch him openly. I plan on checking him out plenty and often.
“No, he doesn’t. But when it’s right, it’s right, ya know? I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”
Audrey squeezes my thigh and gives me an affectionate smile. It’s amazing how quickly she and I fell back into our old relationship, no grudges or anger to speak of. No big explanations or apologies were needed between us. We love each other unconditionally and accept the mistakes between as just that—mistakes.
Cain and I have plans to meet her and Lucas at the pond this week. The improvement in Lucas is staggering. In a relatively short amount of time, he’s shown immeasurable growth and cooperation with his psychiatrist and therapists. There has even been talk about the possibility of a group home while attending the hospital’s day program as the next step in his treatment. I couldn’t be more proud of his progress. He amazes me every day.
“How’s the wedding planning coming, Sara? I have gobs of wedding magazines and planners that I used for our wedding, so I’d be happy to share,” Alex offers.
Sara’s eyes brighten. “Oh, you know what, there is something. Who catered your wedding? Every bite was like a little morsel of heaven.”
“Damn straight. That shit was tight … and so was my dress by the end of the night,” Marlo says with a laugh.