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“I'm not, just making an observation.”
“Well, in that case, keep your observations to yourself. No one cares.”
“Scoot over, ya little brat.” I nudge her legs until she slides over without a single protest.
“I only have two hours to study before Chad and Devon will be up.”
“You know what time they wake up?” I arch a brow. “That’s some next level stalker shit.”
“Shush. They both text me every morning. They wake up at exactly ten in the morning if they don’t have classes.”
“Wow, I don’t know the last time I slept past eight. In the marines we only slept when we were told to, but most days we were up before sunrise. Now, I work until I'm so tired the screen starts to blur, then I sleep until seven or eight.” I rest my arm across the back of the couch. My hand dangles right by Savvy’s shoulder. It takes everything in me to keep my hands to myself.
“It must be awesome to have such a relaxed work schedule.”
“It is. It leaves me time to have Carla whoop my ass in the kitchen. That woman is a machine. I don’t know how she has enough energy to cook so much.”
“It’s the sugar. She sneaks cookies the entire day.” Savvy shrugs a shoulder. “I swear sugar gives her super powers.”
“Maybe I’ll need to try that. I promised I’d help her make all the food for today.” I let my fingers graze her bare shoulder. I don’t know how she’s wearing a tank top out here, it’s incredibly cold, but I'm not going to complain.
“Nix… then why are you out here?” Savannah slowly peels her eyes from her flashcards to stare up at me with wide eyes.
“What? She didn’t tell me a time. There’s no way she’s already cooking… is there?”
“I guarantee half of Thanksgiving dinner is already made. She gets up at like four in the morning on holidays to make everything.”
“Shit… I guess I better head down there then, huh?”
“Yeah, I would. She’s already going to yell at you.” Savannah returns her attention to studying, completely ignoring me.
After a few moments, she glances up at me with a cute little smirk.
“Are you just trying to get into more trouble?”
“Nah, I'm just having trouble finding the will to leave. This couch sure is comfy.”
“It is not!” She throws her head back and laughs. “I think this is the most uncomfortable couch in the world. I only sit out here because I like watching the world fall asleep and wake up. It’s peaceful. I have no idea why you chose to be out here.”
“It’s the closest I’ve felt to home in a long time.” I stare out at the yard as one memory after another assaults my brain, but I fight to stay focused on the present.
“What are you talking about? You’ve been home. You’re literally living in your childhood home.” She motions in the direction of my house. I slowly turn my gaze on her, surprised to find her already staring at me.
“Home isn't about a place, it’s about the people. It’s about coming back to the people who mean the most to you,” I whisper. We stare at each other for a few seconds. Savvy opens and closes her mouth a few times, she’s searching for something to say, but I don’t need her words, I just need her in my life.
I press a soft kiss to her forehead before I rise from our little slice of heaven and begin making my way to my own version of hell for the day.
Chapter 19
Savannah
I watch as Nixon disappears through the door to his room. I can't bring myself to look away no matter how much I know I should.
Not so slowly but surely, I'm letting my defenses drop where he’s concerned. By tomorrow night, I’m going to be head over heels in love with the man all over again. No matter how bad I want to stay mad at him for the shit he pulled, I can't do it. Nixon Russo is a part of me. Keeping him at a distance is unnatural. I don’t know how to do it. I don’t know how to fight my pull to him. And honestly, I'm not sure I want to.
When he pushed me out of his life, I swore to myself I’d never let him back in. I promised I’d keep these massive walls around my heart where he’s concerned. I wouldn’t give him a chance to worm his way back into my heart… but then I saw him standing in my kitchen and every brick that was protecting my heart crumbled down to the ground, one at a time until there was nothing left.
That’s the thing, you can't keep someone at a distance when they’re basically ingrained in you. Almost like they’re part of your DNA. Nixon’s home to me and I can't push him away no matter how much my brain tells me to.
