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“When you’re ready to decide what you wanna do with your place, lemme know,” I told her. “Whether you wanna sell or stay, or…I don’t know, redecorate. Whatever.”
She managed a small smile and squeezed my hand. “Right now, the only thing I wanna do is lock down the godfather business. Toby and I were gonna ask you after the barbecue, and then…”
Yeah. And then.
I swallowed hard. “I’d be honored.” I gave her another hug and exhaled unsteadily. “I hope you understand I gotta teach that kiddo some shit you’re not gonna like. Toby would’ve insisted.”
She croaked a laugh, and I brushed away her tears.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she said.
Perfect.
We made our way to the table, and I reached across it and shook Elliott’s hand. Even though we’d talked on the phone almost every day, it was good to see him.
“New threads?” He smirked.
I glanced down at my shorts and tee, and I shrugged and grinned a little. “Maybe I cashed in some gold.” I’d bought new sneakers too. And approximately a dozen science magazines for Jack. I didn’t freaking know which ones he liked, so I’d grabbed everything Target had to offer.
Two of them had aliens on the cover, so fingers crossed.
“On that note, I have some for you too,” I told Madison and sat down.
She shook her head quickly. “Please don’t. I’m already uncomfortable with what Elliott forced me to accept.”
“I use my boss powers for evil,” Elliott replied.
I smiled. Well, maybe I could save some for the kid. I’d taken plenty.
“You’re crazy, is what you are,” Madison chuckled. “What if someone catches you?”
“Those someones are dead.” I scratched my nose.
Elliott pointed to me in a silentexactly.
He changed the topic next and asked if I wanted anything to eat or drink, and I shook my head and declined.
“I had a big protein shake on the way over.”
“Gross.” Madison made a face.
They were not gross. They tasted like chocolate and maintained my abs.
“Elliott?” That other boy, Nicolas, came out from the living room. “Can I have another soda?”
“No need to ask, buddy.” Elliott glanced over at him. “You enjoyin’ the video game?”
Aw, shit. “What game?” I sat up straighter.
“Yeah, it’s cool.” Nicolas grinned. “Um, it’s calledBattlefield.”
“I loveBattlefield,” I said. I was a fan. Once they’d fixed most of the bugs, anyway. “Which one is it? Are you playing online or…?”
He smiled sheepishly and looked to Elliott for answers.
“Joel brought over his PS5,” he said. “Because apparently I’m dating a gamer.”
“Fuckin’ A.” I turned back toward the pool and hollered for Joel. “Yo! You wanna get together for a game night soon? Nicky put me in aBattlefieldmood.”
