was still traumatized from my Golden Retriever’s passing all this time later.
Our next couple of minutes as we rode home in the back of an Uber was silent. But I didn’t feel any tension. I wasn’t worried in the back of my mind anymore about catching Ebola.
I was now free. Free to be with Saint.
We turned down my street, and I started to get excited.
The thought of having all of my stuff was downright exciting.
My eyes came to rest on my house as we pulled up to the curb.
Together we stared at the van parked outside of my house.
“Chimney sweepers?” I asked curiously.
“You’re asking me?” he chuckled. “It’s not like I have any control over who’s at your house.”
I rolled my eyes. “I know. I’m just thinking that it’s kind of weird when… Oh, never mind. That’s my mom.”
I saw her coming out of the house with her hands on her hips as she stared up at the chimney sweepers that were on my roof.
One of them was actively going down my roof.
“I didn’t think that they actually sent people down them anymore,” he murmured.
I had no clue, to be honest.
I’d never had my chimney swept before.
“I can’t even begin to tell you how much I don’t know about this home upkeep stuff,” I admitted. “When I started renovating this old house, it was in great need of some fresh—everything. I’m slowly getting it fixed up, but I would’ve never thought to check the chimney.”
He chuckled softly as he patted my knee.
“As much as I would like to meet your mother.” He watched as one of the men came out of the chimney and hefted himself up using the brick. “I really do need to go. My dad’s been calling me for the last half hour, and if I don’t call him back, he’s going to storm Kilgore, Texas and shit’s gonna hit the fan.”
I looked at him then, seeing him staring at me and not the spectacle in my front yard.
“Are you ever going to tell me about your family?” I asked curiously.
“Tonight,” he sighed. “If we’re going to do this? I’m going to have to tell you.”
Had I known that this would be the last time that my heart wouldn’t hurt, I would’ve made him stay.
I would’ve begged him not to leave.
“What about all these electronics?” I asked as I gestured to them. “What should I do with these?”
“Take them.” He shrugged. “I don’t know what I’ll do with them. I don’t get on the computer. And if I need one, I just use the one at work.”
I nodded and gathered the box up to my chest, then leaned forward and pressed my lips against his.
He sighed against them, his hand on my hip tightening.
“Tonight, I get to have you back,” I informed him. “I’ll go to the store.”
He winked. “I’ll go to the store. You go talk to your mom. She’s looking at the car now.”
I got out and did just that.
Not once thinking about how everything would never be the same.
CHAPTER 10
It’s the most wonderful time for a beer.
-Coffee Cup
SAINT
“Hello?” I answered the phone, placing it between my ear and my shoulder as I shoved into my house.
“Kid.”
My father’s faint voice had me freezing to the spot.
“Dad,” I said, worry filling my voice. “What’s wrong?”
My father coughed. It made my heart hurt, hearing that cough.
It sounded wet.
And… hurt.
If that made any sense whatsoever.
“Kid,” my dad croaked, sounding a little fainter this time. “Something happened. Brad…” More coughing could be heard on the other end of the line. “Brad… betrayed.”
A whole lot of things started to course through me at the sound of his voice… or the lack thereof.
“Dad,” I called out, voice somewhat shrill. “Dad!”
Nothing.
Not a single thing.
I all but barreled out of the door of my place and sprinted over to the house next door. Malachi’s.
I hammered on the door as I listened for my dad to come back on the line.
But in my heart, I knew that that wasn’t going to happen.
The door swung open and an alarmed looking Sierra looked out at me. “Saint? What’s wrong? Are you out of confinement?”
I nodded. “Yes. I am. Can I borrow your phone?”
She handed it over after pulling it from her back pocket. “Sure.”
Then I was taking off toward my truck, but I yelled back over my shoulder, “Will you go close my front door?”
Forty minutes later I was in the chief of police’s office as he listened to me explain.
“You’re a fucking kid of a