Page 39

“I fucking love you.”

Gabriel

We sneak little peeks at each other, smiling goofily as we race each other up the stairs to our apartments. I don’t even bother going to my door. Not when I want to be where Bren is.

“Ew, I have to clean up, everything feels soggy,” she says, screwing her nose up as she throws her house keys into a little flower shaped bowl on the hall table.

“Shit, Bren, I never even thought,” I berate myself. That’s the second time we’ve made love and I’ve not protected her as I should have. “I’m clean. I’ve not been with anyone in a long time and Kristie made me have a full physical a couple of months ago. I’m so sorry I never thought-”

Bren marches toward me, placing her slim fingers on my lips, effectively shutting me up. “Gabe, I’m a grown woman. I can take responsibility too. I’m clean, and I’m on the pill.” She removes her fingers and presses a sweet kiss to my lips. “We protect each other.”

“We protect each other,” I repeat, patting her ass as she sashays past to the bathroom.

“Ugh, I’m sad I won’t see your pretty little babies.” Grammy laments. “I bet they’d be gorgeous. They’d have your skin tone, Gabe, and Bren’s dark red curls, and my kick ass personality.”

I snort at her comment. “Hey, I’ve been meaning to ask, where do you go when you just disappear like that?”

Grammy gives me an odd look. “I don’t really go anywhere.” She shrugs her slim shoulders.

“You literally disappear.”

“Yeah, but it’s not like I’m off on a party bus, Gabe. Sometimes I’m drawn to Brenna, sometimes I’m drawn to you or my resting place. Other times I’m just…between.”

My brows pull low trying to understand. I’ve never had a soul that behaved in the way Grammy does. They’re with me until we complete their last wishes and I send them to rest.

“Between what?”

Her face softens and she gives me a sad smile. “Between here and whatever comes next, Gabe.” She cups my face for a moment before patting my cheek softly. “It’s getting a little easier to go farther, though.”

My hand comes up, pressing her much smaller hand into my cheek. “I don’t want you to go, it’ll break Brenna’s heart.”

Her eyes twinkle as she looks up at me, “Ah Gabe, my Brenna knows I’m always with her. Even if she can’t see or hear me, I’m with her.” She gives a curt nod, sad smile replaced with a confidence that she shares with her granddaughter.

And that’s when it hits me. Brenna has lost more than anyone her age should, and yet she doesn't see it that way. She revels in the time she got to spend with her parents, her Grammy, hell, even Frank. She’s stronger than I’ve ever given her credit for and it makes me feel like an asshole. Brenna has taken all the shit life has thrown at her and turned it into kindness, putting it back out into the world as only she can.

“Ah, that’s better,” she says giggling as she comes back into the room in pajama pants that look like the bottom half of a cow. She tilts her head before launching herself into my arms, holding me tight.

“Babe?”

“You looked like you needed a hug,” she murmurs into my chest.

I drop my face into her strawberry scented messy bun. “Thank you, baby.”

“Anytime. Now, let's order pizza and get an early night. We have a man to unalive tomorrow.”

I pull back, looking down at her with a raised brow. “Unalive?”

“Well, yeah, I mean, I can’t use the ‘K’ word can I?” she whispers, looking around as if the apartment is bugged.

I grin down at her. “You are fucking adorable. And clever with the pizza idea. Do you want to order? I have a phone call to make.”

Her eyes grow wide and she taps the side of her nose. “Secret Squirrel stuff. I like it.”

She wanders past, slapping my ass on the way, causing me to rock onto my toes. Damn, my woman has an arm on her.

“She gets that from me,” Grammy says, wagging her brows then joining Bren on the couch.

Brenna snuggles into Grammy, scrolling on her phone to make our order. I take the moment to wander into Brenna’s, no, our bedroom. Looking around I see she has enough space for my clothes in the wardrobe and even a place for me to put my phone and watch charger. Peeking into the bathroom I notice the little cup where I’ll put my tooth brush and I can’t help smiling at how perfect it all is. Maybe I’ll sneak some things over later.