Fuck…

Sarge lowers his chin and looks in my direction. I slump down into the chair and pull the brim of my hat low. Man, he picked a doozy.

After Sarge finishes recounting one more of my more embarrassing moments, he leans back in his chair and steeples his hands. “There’s plenty I’m proud of though, too. You know what else I’m proud of?”

“What’s that?” Celia asks.

“The two of you,” he answers, eyeing us both through squinted lids. “It’s been a rough road to get where you are today, but you made it. And believe me, there will be hard times ahead. That’s life. But I see the fire in you that still blazes in Rose and me. Nothing can dampen that kind of love.”

I reach out and lace my fingers with Celia’s and see the misty look in her eyes. My sweet, soft-hearted fairy—my life goal will be to give her more laughter than tears. She’s as sappy as they come, so I know I’ve got my work cut out for me.

“That’s solid gold in the palm of your hand right now, boy. Don’t screw it up.” Sarge’s voice cuts through the nostalgia like a hot knife through butter. The old man has a way with words.

Little does he know, his warning isn’t needed. I’m well aware of the treasure next to me, and I’m never letting her go. Little does she know, Operation Fairy Lockdown is well under way.

“Cain!” Her voice pierces my ears, and I smash the pillow over my head in an attempt to drown her out. I just need a few more minutes of rest. “Cain, why are my plates and bowls all packed up? And what’s with the boxes and newspaper strewn all over the living room?”

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.