Page 95 of Homebound

My breath comes in ragged gasps.

“On the count of three,” I yell, holding up a finger. “Everyone better get the fuck out of my house, or I’m calling the cops! One…”

They scatter like cockroaches, scrambling for the door.

“Two….” Another finger. More scrambles.

“Three!”

In seconds, the house is empty, the only sounds remaining are the distant hum of cars racing off on gravel and the soft sniffles from Vienna. I take a deep breath, the adrenaline still pumping through my veins, but it’s fine—everything’s fine.

“It’s okay, little devil,” I whisper, brushing a curl of gold from her forehead. Soothing her is actually soothing me. “I’m here. I’ve got you.”

With the house finally quiet, I rock her gently, humming “Banana Pancakes” by Jack Johnson until her breathing steadies and her tiny hands relax their grip on my jacket.

I don’t know how long we stay like that, but I’ll hold her all night if that’s what she needs. She falls asleep in my arms, and I tuck her back into her crib, set up the monitor, and start cleaning up the absolute mess those little shits made, picking up empty beer cans and discarded vape pens.

I text Wyatt to let him know everything is fine. He replies a second later.

Wyatt

Tow still isn’t here, so I don’t know when I’ll be back. Don’t wait up

Wyatt

You have no idea how grateful I am. I don’t even have words. I think you might be the only person I know who could clear out a house of teenagers on her own

Me

I’ll always be the bad cop to your good cop <3

There are dots, then nothing, dots again, nothing, until his message pops onto my screen.

Wyatt

Oh yeah?

How bad are you?

Me

You might need some handcuffs (;

Wyatt

Already have them (;

Me

Look at you, still surprising me after all these years

Wyatt

Just you wait, honey

With the biggest, giddiest grin on my face from those texts, I shut off my phone and get to work cleaning, which quickly has my lips turning down.

As I pick up red solo cups, Luna shadows me around, and I think about how much worse this could have been. It surprises me just how furious I am on Wyatt’s behalf, and by the time I finish cleaning over an hour later, the house is spotless.