the kitchen, Taylor offers a quick lowdown on who lives in the house. Violet nods, even though I doubt she can keep all the names and relationships straight.
“Are you hungry?” Max asks, always wanting to feed people.
“Should I cook?” Violet asks.
“No,” I say and lean closer. “Max is obsessed with cooking for people. If you try to help too much, she’ll cry. I’m not kidding, either.”
Violet nods, eyes bright. “I was making breakfast when you came to the house. I would love to eat something.”
Her demeanor is so relaxed that I feel okay slipping away while she speaks to Desi and Maude. I don’t know where Goliath, River, and Maverick are. Shouldn’t they be back?
“Had to ditch some gear,” River explains when I step out to the porch and give him a scowl. “Is she okay?” When I nod, he asks in a softer voice. “Are you okay?”
“Where’s Goliath?”
“Right there,” he says, and I realize I somehow missed the large man standing only feet away.
Staring at my giant lovebug, I mumble, “I might need a nap.”
River smiles and heads inside with Maverick close behind. I look at Goliath, lingering back near the steps.
“Are you feeling shy?” I ask when he doesn’t immediately join me.
“You look weird.”
“I am weird.”
Smirking, he finally moves his fine ass into the reach of my hug. “I cut his head off.”
Relaxing against him, I smile at his handsome face. “I’m so overwhelmed right now. Like about-to-sob-like-a-baby kind of overwhelmed. I need you to stay with me.”
“Where else am I gonna go?”
“Nowhere. You’re mine, and you can never leave.”
Goliath gives me a lazy smile, and I forget about what our morning entailed. I just enjoy how I own this man’s big, beautiful heart.
Then his smile is gone, and he steps back. I turn to find Violet in the doorway.
“I thought you left,” she says, sounding scared for the first time.
“This is my man, Dean,” I say, walking inside. “Don’t be intimidated by his size. He’s the sweetest.”
“Really?” she asks him, seeming unsure.
Of course, Goliath shakes his head. Though I roll my eyes at his unwillingness to play along, Violet smiles.
“I didn’t want you to leave.”
“We were up all night planning to attack the house. Most of us will crash soon, but I’ll do it here.”
Violet nods, having a little more trouble hiding her fear now. We return to the kitchen, where Max does what she loves to do. Soon, Ramona and Shane show up with the boys. Maude drives Desi to school while Lineke takes the dogs for a walk. Violet smiles easily and speaks to anyone who speaks to her. Still, she remains hyper-alert, overwhelmed probably.
Soon, Goliath, Violet, and I hide in the sitting room where I put on a movie.
“I only really watch horror movies,” I say when she sits on the floor with Hansel and Gretel. “I can’t think of any other movies to watch. What would you like for me to put on while I nap?”
“You don’t have to put anything on. I can just sit here.”
“Yeah, well, I need the TV on,” I say and smile at Goliath, who sits in a chair with his feet up.
Violet gets a head nod from him, and she exhales softly. “Did you know this house is haunted?” she asks and cuddles with Hansel, who climbs in her lap. “A horror movie with ghosts would be fun.”
I don’t know what will happen with Violet, but her suggestion gives me hope that everything will work out. After starting “The Others,” I try to get comfortable on the couch. She remains on the floor, lying on her stomach, seeming like a kid without a care in the world.
Despite her calm, I remain uneasy. Finally, I stop watching her and the TV and just focus on Goliath. He sleeps sitting up, snoring just a bit from his awkward position. Not once did he complain about us staying here rather than going home where he could stretch out.
His heart really is a big, beautiful thing, and it’s all mine.
THE CHAPTER WHERE THE STORY ENDS
THE GOLIATH
Before Shelby took over my life, I used to sit outside for hours, just letting the world go by. Nothing mattered beyond breathing. I ain’t got simple dreams anymore.
Or the patience to wait for the good shit. But nothing important in my life happens fast.
Took forever to get old enough to leave home and get away from my mom. Those five years in prison felt like ten. I first saw Shelby in June and didn’t get