“I’m calling in sick,” I taunt after we clean up. Being a bounty hunter means I make my own hours, but I have weeks to make up for my loss of income. “You should too.”
“I wish.” She slaps my chest. “If I want to pass my classes, I have to go.”
I’m aware of how much stress she’s been under for missing a few weeks of school. It pisses me off that Victoria involved Maddie to the extent she did, but we’re trying to move on with our lives and put this all behind us. We’re slipping into our old habits but without all the hiding and secrets.
Placing my hands behind my head, I watch her with a smirk as she gets dressed. “Plus side is I only have three classes today.”
She shimmies into a pair of pants that look like they’re painted on and grins as she puts on a T-shirt. “I should make you breakfast. I have a few minutes, I think.”
“It’s my turn!” I say, hurrying to slip on some jogging pants. We’ve been eating breakfast together each morning before going our separate ways. She follows me to the kitchen, giggling, and as she makes the coffee, I grab the egg carton and bacon from the fridge. While I scramble eggs, Maddie makes herself a cup of tea, allowing me to steal a few kisses before filling my mug full of coffee.
“Get a room,” I hear Sophie say from behind.
“We’ve got one.” Maddie shoots her a wink before giving me a sexy grin. “You need coffee, Miss Grumpy?” Maddie pours some for Sophie and slides it to her.
Sophie lets out a yawn. “We’re practicing for our Christmas performances, and I’m already over it. We’re barely into October.”
I laugh. “Oh, so you’re just being a Scrooge.”
“Basically.” Then she leans over and watches me cook. “Hey, I hope you made enough for me,” she says.
“And me,” Mason enters and gives Sophie a kiss on the cheek before sitting.
“I didn’t realize I was cooking for the whole family,” I murmur, giving Sophie and Mason the food I cooked for us, and put more in the skillet. I honestly don’t mind and am okay with it, considering we’ve had our rough patches the past few months. Sophie and Mason have somewhat forgiven me, but Sophie has warned me several times that if I break her sister’s heart, she’ll still chop off my balls and feed them to me. At one point, she threatened me with a butcher knife in her hand if I ever hurt Maddie. Sophie’s scary at times, but passionate about her sister’s well-being. I get it. I am too.
There’s something to be jealous of when it comes to the Corrigan sisters and their undying love for one another. Makes me sad that I don’t have siblings of my own, but at the end of the day, I suppose it’s better. Fewer people for my mother to ruin with her abandonment. After the second helping of eggs and bacon is nearly finished, Maddie pops some bread in the toaster, then spreads avocado over it. By this time, Tyler is entering the kitchen.
“Well fuck,” I say, laughing. “Sorry dude, you’re gonna have to cook for yourself.”
He gives me a big grin and a middle finger, but then goes straight for the caffeine as Maddie and I try to quickly eat. We have about thirty minutes before we both have to leave, but it’s hard not to want to stay in the house all day and hang out with everyone. Before they really knew what was going on, I felt so alone and desperate for them to learn the truth, but not wanting anything to happen. Now that the curtain has been removed, I at least sleep better at night.
Once my plate is cleared, I snag a piece of bacon from Maddie’s, and she glares at me, making me laugh. Sophie and Mason thank us for breakfast, and Tyler announces he’s going to the gym. “Mason, you got time for a few rounds?”
Mason cracks his knuckles. “I’ve been a little rusty lately. I’d love to but gotta be an adult and go to work. Can I take a rain check? Maybe tonight? It’d be nice to get back in the ring.”
“You’re just trying to avoid getting your ass kicked, aren’t ya?” Tyler taunts.
“Ass kicked?” Mason scoffs, putting up his arms and punching Tyler’s shoulder. “I recall kicking the shit out of you several times.”
“If you did, it’s because I felt sorry for ya and allowed it.” Tyler blocks his second hit, then swings and smacks Mason. Getting out as much aggression as possible helped Mason in those early days he was grieving his girlfriend who passed away years earlier. It’s one of the reasons I’ve always respected Tyler. He helped my best friend when he was depressed, and here he is, helping me too.
I finish my coffee as Maddie walks through their fake boxing match toward me, and I think about my life and where everything is. Sucking in a deep breath, I can’t help but be grateful. I know we’re not in the clear yet, but I can see a glimmer of light shining through the darkness. It’s something I wasn’t sure I’d ever see again.
“You should get dressed,” she tells me, then wraps her arms around my stomach, pressing her tits against my back before feathering kisses along my skin. I turn around, not wanting to waste her lips being against mine.
“I thought I’d go like this,” I beam, giving her shit.
Looking me up and down, she raises her eyebrows. “Must be following a woman then, because no guy is going to want a Hulk of a man showing up looking like this. Shirtless and…” She glances down at my cock, which is steadily growing hard for her.
I give her a boyish grin and a shrug. “You never know.”
Playfully, she slaps me. “If you don’t put on some clothes, I’m going to be late for school unless I need to find a different ride.” She pretends to pout, sticking out her bottom lip. I bend down and pluck it between my teeth before smacking a quick kiss on her mouth.
“No, no. Give me five minutes.” I rush to the bedroom, put on some jeans and a black T-shirt, grab my utility belt, and meet her back in the kitchen. She takes my hand and I lead us to my truck, but we both glance around before climbing in. I don’t know how long it’s going to take for us to stop looking over our shoulders, but at this point, after everything we’ve been through, I may never. Victoria has ruined me more than tracking fugitives ever could. I’ve always been cautious, but this is a whole different level of paranoia, and rightfully so.
Once I see the street is clear of black Suburbans, I let out a sigh of relief and so does Maddie. As I pull out of the driveway, I glance at the G-Wagon that’s still here and make a mental note to tell Victoria to come pick it up. I don’t want her handouts. I don’t want anything from her, but to be left alone.
On the way to the university, Maddie talks about her classes, how long she’ll be in rehearsal, and when we pull in front of the dance hall, she asks if I’ll be picking her up afterward.
“Of course, why wouldn’t I?”
“Well, if you get caught up today with work. I just want to make sure.”
I lift her chin, forcing her to look at me. She’s been worried about me ever since we returned home, and it breaks my heart. The only time either of us is okay is when we’re together. Too much can happen when we’re apart.
“I’ll keep you updated on where I am. The job I’m doing today is local. I’m not even leaving the city. I’ll be here. I’m gonna be okay, sweetheart,” I say as she searches my face with concern.