Page 122 of Ravage

“She’s yours now, which means it’s your responsibility to see her through the good and the bad.” He motioned his head toward the box. “On the bad, it’ll be good to have a few of those.”

“Appreciate the heads up.”

“Figured I owed you that much.” He glanced at the door. “She getting settled in?”

“Getting there.”

“You know the big game’s tomorrow.”

“I’m aware… I was thinking I might grill some burgers. You could bring the beer.”

“Yeah. I could do that.”

“Good deal.”

“See ya tomorrow then.” He turned and started back to his truck. “And Cole?”

“Yeah?”

“Don’t fuck this up.”

“Don’t plan on it.”

He nodded, then got in his truck and started the engine, leaving me standing on the porch holding a box filled with Emery’s favorite things. It was official. He’d given his blessing in the only way he knew how.

So, now my place was full of her boxes, all of her favorite things, and the kind of chaos I’d never known I wanted. And for the first time, it didn’t feel like she was just moving in. It felt like she was coming home.

And the only thing that was missing was a little yellow bike.

But all in good time. For now, this was enough. It was more than enough.

The End