"Namaste, Andrew," Aubrey chuckles. "Note to self: never piss you off."
Ted's struggles cease abruptly, his body going limp in Wayne's arms.
"Oh fuck!" Wayne panics, loosening his grip. "Did I just...No! Did Ijustchoke him to death?"
Gary rolls his eyes, crouching to check Ted's vitals. "He's fine. He passed out. Probably fromhyperventilating... or a concussion."
"Can I kick him?" Aubrey asks, barely concealing a grin.
Gary shoots him a warning look.
Wayne bursts out laughing. "I mean... He's already out cold..."
"No," I interrupt, my voice shaky. "I think I might've overdone it."
"Nah," Wayne says,dropping Ted like a lifeless doll andclapping me on the back. "You did good, Andrew. Self-defense. Nothing to be ashamed of."
Gary sighs heavily. "Aubrey, call 911. And no one tells Vince until Andrew talks to himfirst, understood?"
He shoots Aubrey a pointed look.
Aubrey holds up his hands in mock surrender. "Okay.Understood."
Paramedics and police arrive shortly after. Watching Ted get hauled into the back of a squad car, his face bloodied and swollen, is the most satisfying moment of my life.
He doesn't even look at me.
Ipress charges andfile a restraining order that day, determined to ensure he never hurts anyone else the way he tries to hurt me.
As I sit in the aftermath, surrounded by my friends who have come to surprise me this morning... to help me move in with Vince so I don't have to do it alone... one thing becomes crystal clear: I have the best damn support system in the world.
Chapter 38
Spontaneous Love
Vince
Saturdayfindsthegirlshelping Andy and me pack up his apartment, the second attempt after he dealt with a small setback yesterday. Sunlight streams through the living room windows, catching dust motes dancing in the air as we work together.
The girls, surprisingly efficient, fold clothes with practiced hands while I handle the heavier boxes, my muscles straining slightly under the weight. Andy moves with a quiet grace, his movements deliberate despite the lingering tension in his shoulders. The atmosphere is charged with unspoken emotions—relief that we're finally doing this, anxiety about leaving thischapter behind, and beneath it all, the shadow of yesterday's eventswithTed.
"You don't have to do this, you know," Andy says, taping up a box labeled 'Books' in neat block letters. "I could've hired movers."
"And miss out on quality family time?" I reply, grinning as Tina rolls her eyes dramatically from across the room. "Besides, it's good exercise. Keeps me from getting soft."
Malia snorts from where she's organizing Andy's vinyl.
Malia keeps glancing at Andy when she thinks no one's looking, her expression a mixture of concern and admiration, while Tina complains about the lack of snacks, her teenage impatience a welcome distraction.
I watch Andy as he carefully wraps a framed photo of us from our camping trip, his fingers lingering on the glass, and I'm struck by how much has changed since we first met. This isn't just packing boxes anymore; it's about building something new, something permanent, and I'm determined to make sure nothing—and no one—gets in our way again.
Wayne has lent his truck for the furniture, and Aubrey and Gary have already left with the first load destined for the house. The rest of us stay behind, our hands full with smaller items, tape dispensers clicking in the quiet rhythm of moving day.
Something sits heavy on my mind, a conversation I need to have with Andy. Gary and the guys are in on it, but I'm not sure how he'll receive it.
Truth be told, nerves flutter in my stomach.
"Oh my God! Andy... is this you?"
