Page 115 of Sweet Redemption

Missing you so badly, I’m not sure I can breathe sometimes.

Hendrix

Serena, I’m trying to give you space, but I’ve got to be honest, it goes against every fucking fiber of my soul to leave you alone.

Serena

So don’t. I think I was wrong. I don’t think I need space. I just need you. Can we talk when you get home?

Hendrix

Yeah, princess. We’ve got back-to-back away games, so I’ll be home at the end of the week, and I’m supposed to have lunch with Ryker the next day.

Serena

Maybe you could come over after that. You could bring Bodhi. I’d say I could make dinner, but we both know I can’t. It’ll be take-out.

Hendrix

How about I leave Bodhi with Mel so we can talk this time, and then we can do something with all three of us the next time?

Serena

You still want a next time?

Hendrix

With you? I want every time. I love you, Serena.

Serena

Have a good game, Superman.

SERENA

We’re all a little crazy in my family. Some of us are just a little more willing to whip it out, throw a leash on it, and take it for a walk in public than others.

—Serena’s Secret Thoughts

“Are you sure you don’t mind us crashing here for a few weeks?” Aurora asks the next day as the movers bring in another box and she points up the stairs. “Second door on the left.”

“Listen, Sleeping Beauty, if I minded, I probably would have said something before you set up the movers.” I twist to look out my beautiful stained-glass front door at the next mover to come a little too close to shattering that glass and shake my head. “No luck with the realtor yet?”

“Nope,” Saylor answers as she walks by, carrying a cat bed. “But I think Teags wants in on it too, so that changes what we’re looking for a little bit.”

Aurora squeaks, and Saylor and I both stare.

“Come on, it’s not like Teagan and I have ever gotten along. This ought to be interesting.”

“Sounds like you better suck it up, buttercup,” I taunt, then step aside as her arm swings my way. “Hey. No hitting your roommate.”

“Roommate?” comes from a new voice, one I’d know anywhere.

“Hi, Mom.” I wrap an arm around her shoulders and squeeze. “What are you doing here?”

“I heard a rumor your first day at King Corp. is Monday and wanted to bring you a present.” She looks at the complete chaos my house is in and blinks. “But I didn’t realize you had all this going on.”

“Olivia isn’t moving back in.” Pretty sure she knows it too. Her Vegas wedding has become a full-blown marriage, and I’m positive my ride or die is madly in love. That part though, she might not be completely sure about just yet, but I won’t be sharing that with Mom. “So I figured the more the merrier.”