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e my head and gently but firmly tell him, “I love you for that,” and I mean it, “but I need to start living again. I need to move on. Maddy…” I breathe in a ragged breath, “…she fucked me, and I was broken for a long time. But I’m not broken anymore. We’re not broken anymore. I gotta do what I should’ve done years ago. I need to take charge of my life,” I look up to meet Nik’s eyes, “and I’m finally ready for it.”
“Well this fucking sucks.”
Nik and I both turn in shock to stare at Tina. Tina never swears. Not ever.
She watches us watching her, sniffles, and pouts, “Well it does.”
We stand there, not sure what to say to each other, basking in an awkward, question-filled silence. It’s not a nice feeling. Sorta like heartburn. Nik nods. “I s’pose it was going to happen eventually. I mean, it’s not like I pictured Ceecee leaving for college from here.” But the tone of his voice and the look in his eyes say he did.
Tina asks quietly, “Does she know yet?” I shake my head, because words fail me.
Nik asks, “Where’s the house?”
That, at least, makes some of the tension ease.
I point to the east, hiding my smile and waving my hand around. “That way.”
Nik’s face turns stoic. “Where?”
I point again, this time with feeling. My smile breaks through.
Nik’s lips tilt upwards. “You didn’t.”
Tina asks, “Did what?”
“I did,” I respond smartly.
Tina repeats, louder, “Did what?”
Nik covers his face with his hand as his body shakes in silent laughter. “You sneaky son of a bitch.”
Tina’s voice borders hysterical. “I’m freaking out! Someone tell me what the hell is going on!”
I grin down at her. Nik shakes his head and breaks the good news. “Looks like we’ve got a new neighbor.”
She gasps, her body shaking in a fit of excitement. “Shut up!” She jumps up and down on the spot, then squeals, “Oh, thank God!” Not able to lose the smile on her face, she giggles then asks, “Where’s the house? Can we see it?”
“Sure. Let’s go.”
Tina all but runs down the hall, her belly bouncing along the way. “Come on, you guys!”
Nik and I walk behind closely. He chuckles. “She has no idea. She’s gonna freak.”
I smirk. “Oh, I know.”
As we exit the house, Tina stands by the car, waiting for Nik to open it. As he walks by her, he hooks an arm around her waist. “No use wasting gas.”
Tina allows him to lead her away, but her eyes narrow at me in suspicion. I move to her free side to walk with them. We walk up the driveway, and when he reach the sidewalk, Tina squints into the sunlight, turning left then right. “Which way?”
I move to stand behind her, gently grasp her hips in my hands, and move her body to face the street. I can feel the confusion coming off of her, but she doesn’t say a word. I know the exact moment it clicks. She gasps, and then covers her mouth with both hands. Her body turns to face me very, very slowly.
Wide eyes meet mine. She whispers, “You’re moving across the street?” I grin so hard my dimple cuts into my cheek. Tina squeaks, then launches herself into my arms, laughing. “You’re a sneaky, sneaky man, Max Leokov. And I love you to death.” She yells through her laughter, “I love you!”
Tina refuses to release her monkey grip on me, and that’s all right with me. I hold her while my gaze moves to my new house across the street. Nik’s hand squeezing my shoulder brings me back to reality. I look over at him, a question in my eyes. His face beams with pride, and although I don’t need it, it feels good to have it, especially coming from Nik.
My throat thickens. I clear it and announce, “We’ll tell Ceecee tonight.”
Tina moves back from me, and she looks nervous for me. She takes my hand in hers and utters, “Yeah. We’ll tell her as a family.” She smiles big, although it doesn’t reach her eyes. “I’m sure everything will be just fine.”
