Page 5 of Intolerable Bishop

“Between the five of us, we’ll get the place lookin’ brand new.” He kissed the top of my head. “Besides, it’s not what it looks like on the outside, but the heart it has inside that matters.” I looked up at him and couldn’t even begin to figure out how I’d gotten so lucky.

“Oh my god. I’m gonna cry,” Lizzy said as she stared at Myles. “He’s too perfect. If you ever decide to give him up, can I have first crack?” I closed my door and shook my head at my best friend. “What did I say? It’s an honest question?”

“And she don’t need to be answerin’ it ‘cause I never plan on lettin’ her get away,” Myles said.

“That makes two of us,” Blake added and took my hand.

“Don’t look at me to say that makes three of us,” Theo marched past, pulling his suitcase behind him. “I’m not joining the Musketeers.”

“Are you sure you don’t want me to come in?” Lizzy offered, but I shook my head. I knew she had work tonight and didn’t want her to miss her shift for me. “Alright, girly, I’ll let ya get settled in, but I’m totally free Monday.”

I leaned into the open window and gave her a hug. “Thanks, L. I love you.”

“Right back at ya, Boo. Now, take all that adorable eye candy inside before someone decides to swoop in and steal it. Lord knows we could use some of that hotness around here.”

“You’re terrible.” I stepped away from the minivan and watched as she pulled out and disappeared down the road. I slowly turned around, my eyes scanning the debris. It was like the house had become a mirror of my soul, but just like I was learning to put myself back together, we would make this place as good as new.

Taking a deep breath, I grabbed the handle of my suitcase and took my first step toward the front door.

MAY 13 – SATURDAY 3:12 PM (MDT)

Ren

Everyone was waiting off to the side as I fumbled with the keys. Even though no one rushed me, just them standing there felt like pressure. Myles stepped in close and gripped my shaky hand.

“Easy, Snowflake, it’s okay. We’re all here for ya,” he said, his voice soothing as he spoke low in my ear. His touch helped to steady me, and I took a deep breath. So many emotions were running through my body that it was creating bursts of what felt like fireworks in my chest.

“I’ve got it. I’m okay.” I slipped the key into the lock, and like no time had passed, I stepped inside and punched in the code to the beeping alarm system. The sounds of those walking in behind me became nothing but background noise with each step deeper I took into the home that had filled me with so much joy and heartbreak. My fingers brushed the top of the decorative table at the front entrance, and I paused to stare at the family photos coated in a thin layer of dust.

I moved through the hall silently as memories flitted in and out of my mind. Their ghostly hold reached in and gripped my heart. Nothing had been moved. Each room was cleaned up from the break in, but other than that, nothing had changed. I jumped as a hand touched my shoulder, and I looked up into Blake’s eyes.

“Are you sure you’re okay? This can’t be easy.” His green eyes held so much warmth.

“I used to bake in here with my mum. I mean, where else would you bake other than the kitchen? That was kind of stupid to say.”

Blake slipped his hand into mine, giving it a squeeze. “No, it’s not stupid. I’m sure Myles never got to bake with his dad,” he said, and Myles laughed as he walked into the kitchen.

“My da, bake? Only if it was someone’s soul.” He leaned on the massive marble island, and I couldn’t help smiling as I pictured him shirtless with just an apron on. “I don’t know what yer thinkin’, but I love it when ya look at me like that,” Myles said, and I cleared my throat.

“I’m not sure you want to know.” His eyebrow raised, and I quickly looked away before he pushed for the answer. I stared down the hall to where Theo was still standing by the door, holding his carry-on like he was a decorative statue, and Ivy was still apologizing.

“I better go rescue them,” I whispered, but I held onto Blake’s hand as I walked up to a distraught Ivy and Theo, who couldn’t have looked more disinterested if he tried. “Why don’t I show you to your rooms? Then, I’ll get started cleaning. It never crossed my mind that the place has been sitting empty with no one to keep it up.”

Ivy pulled me into a hug. “I’ll help.”

“We’ll all help,” Myles offered, and I smiled. This ought to be interesting.

Myles grabbed my suitcase, and I was just as happy to let him have it rather than try and drag it up the two flights of stairs. I stopped at the closed door at the top.

“Please, no one go into this room. It was my mums and I….” I cleared my throat of the knot that had formed. “I just don’t want anything touched in there.”

“Ya got it, Snowflake,” Myles said, and I continued to the spare rooms that were near mine. I never understood why we had a place with so many rooms. It wasn’t like my parents partied so hard that people stayed overnight, and other than my aunt, there was no other living family.

I pointed to the two rooms available. “Ivy and Theo, feel free to choose which one you want.” Of course, they both started for the same room, and the apologizing began all over again. I shook my head and gave up.

Pushing open my bedroom door, it felt strange to be walking in here after so many months and with two guys. Aside from my mum and dad, the only other person that had crossed the threshold was Lizzy. I’d chosen grey, butter yellow, and ocean blue to decorate, and I was suddenly happy that I wasn’t a Barbie pink girl. I turned to look at Myles and Blake.

“So, this is where my Snowflake grew up,” Myles said as he wandered the room and looked at everything.