AllFreeNovel
Share Us
But since he’s clearly not inclined to leave, I bring my attention wholly back to my niece and her problems. “So you told your bully to back off?”
“I told her she was a coward! I said she’s mean and has no friends. Which,” she adds when my brows shoot high, “I know was also mean. I was practicing all week what I was gonna say, but theno friendsbit slipped out.”
My lips curl into a grin and my heart lightens for the first time in a long time. “It happens sometimes. As long as we’re always checking ourselves and taking responsibility, everything will work out. Did she leave you alone after that talk? Or is she still bothering you?”
“Well… she actually kinda became my friend.”
“What?” I search the screen behind my niece, like the offending little shit might be sitting nearby. “You wanna be her friend?”
“She doesn’t have any,” June explains, “so I said she could sit with me if she wanted to. Which she did, so…” She shrugs. “What time do you land tomorrow?”
“Uh…” I close one eye, like that’ll somehow help me think. “About five-thirty. Then I gotta drive for an hour from the city. You inviting me over for dinner?”
“No!” Preston’s playful shout works its way from the kitchen and into our call. “This is my family now, homie. You left. I stayed. Finder’s keepers.”
“He’s just joking,” June sniggers. Her nose wrinkles, the way mine and Nicole’s do when we’re playing. “Pres has been talking about you coming backallweek. He’s excited.”
“Hey!” Preston shouts. “Be cool, Little Feen. You’re not supposed to sell me out like that.”
“Oh.” Serious now, Juniper nods over the top of her device, then she brings her eyes back to mine. “He hasn’t beenthatexcited. Only, like,” lifting her hand, she positions her finger and thumb about an inch apart, “this much excited.”
Ruiz’s shoulders bounce with silent laughter.
“But I’mthis,” fingers much wider apart, “excited. I haven’t seen you since I was six!”
My heart splinters, oh so fucking easily. “I’m sorry, Bug. Uncle Axe has been away for so long. But I’m back tomorrow and I’ll be staying for a long time.”
“How long?” she challenges. “Forever?”
“Well… until next summer, for sure. But even then, Lieutenant Rosa wants me to stay. So maybe I will. I guess I’ll wait and see how things are.”
Maybe Hannah will be in a committed relationship by then. Or married. Pregnant.
Jesus.I press a hand to my heart and massage away the ache.
How can something I asked for hurt so fucking much?
“I’ll see how this visit goes,” I continue aloud, “and then I guess we can decide if I’ll do another summer out here. I got really good at jumping out of planes, Bug.” My grin notches up as her eyes widen. “I’m not even afraid anymore. I just jump, and the parachute catches me.”
“Not true,” Ruiz grumbles across the other side of my phone. “Worst jumper I met, and he needs to be reminded to pull the chute every single time.”
“Not reminded,” I argue just as quietly. “I have my shit under control, Lieutenant. We just have differing opinions on timeline.” Then I bring my attention back to June. “I’m so excited to see you tomorrow, Bug! Will you come get me from the airport?”
“I don’t know.” Her cheeks pale, like it’s somehow her responsibility to acquire a car and a license before this time tomorrow. “Do you want me to?”
“We’re not picking him up,” Nicole’s voice rambles closer. “We’re busy, and you have two legs. Start walking.”
I wrinkle my nose and snigger when June’s attention comes back to me. “She’s mean, huh? She never used to be so mean before she met Preston.”
“It’s called self-confidence and boundaries,” Preston retorts. “We’re busy, and you’re unemployed. Find your own ride.”
“Maybe you could ask Hannah,” June oh-so-helpfully suggests. “She might come get you.”
“Bet she doesn’t,” Preston laughs. “She’s got a date, remember?”
Footsteps echo on floorboards, and clothes rustle as he comes closer, then snatching the device and showing me his smug face, Preston smirks. “She’s got a hot date, because you screwed up. Ask Ruiz to go halfsies on a cab. You’re both going the same direction.”
“What?” My eyes snap across the top of my phone and narrow. “Where areyougoing?”
