Steven gasps for air, clutching his stomach from laughing. “Her face right now—this is priceless.”
Nova grabs Roxy, lifting the kitten like a shield. “I hate both of you. I regret all my life choices. Even Roxy’s judging me.”
Roxy meows loudly, pawing at the camera.
Steven smirks, victorious. “See? Even your cat’s outing you.”
I wipe tears of laughter from my eyes. “Oh, this is going in the memory bank forever.”
Nova groans, collapsing backward with Roxy sprawled on her chest. “Unbelievable. Two idiots. That’s what I’m surrounded with. Idiots.”
CHAPTER SEVENTY-FIVE
Vincent Cooper
PRESENT (2024)
I'd rather be hated for who I am,
than loved for who I am not.
Kurt Cobain
––––––––
Nova doesn’t know I’m coming home. She doesn’t know I’m coming back to her tonight.
Yesterday, I lied to her over the phone. I told her my doctors wanted me to stay at least another two and a half months, that our calls would have to shrink down to just one per month so I could focus on my recovery.
All lies. The truth is, I wanted this moment to be a surprise.
Sam picked me up at the airport after my flight from Pennsylvania to San Francisco. My parents were with me, along with Aunt Evelyn and her little girl. Evelyn’s belly was round with pregnancy now, ready to give birth any day. I couldn’t wait to see Nova’s reaction when she met her—I already imagined hermaking my little cousin watch all her favorite Barbie movies and running around the backyard with Roxy.
“Ready, Waldo?” Sam smirks as we pull up in front of the building.
I exhale slowly, nerves and excitement tangling in my chest. “Not sure, Scott. You?”
He chuckles and circles the car, grabbing my bags out of the trunk before coming to open my door. “Just a warning, man. She’s going to launch herself at you and never let go. She’s been haunting the apartment since your call last night, restless as hell.”
I laugh under my breath, the sound almost shaky. God, how I’d missed her.
We head inside. Sam teases, “So, uhm... how many hours do you think Maggie and I need to clear out of the apartment?”
I shove his shoulder with my elbow, grinning. “Asshole.”
“What? If I were Nova and my boyfriend disappeared for five months, I’d tear the walls down with all the sex we’d have when he came back.”
“Very romantic, Sherman,” I mutter.
“Only for you, Weston.” He winks. “Hey, you’ve decided to wear the glasses full-time now?”
I nod as the elevator doors closes. “Contacts are too painful for me.”
“Or maybe just because Nova thinks you look sexy in them?” His grin’s infuriating.
I don’t answer. My pulse’s already rising as the floors tick by. An elevator’s nothing compared to the monsters I’d faced inside my head. I can handle this.
Sam’s voice softens unexpectedly. “You’re brave as hell, man. I’m proud of you.” He walks out as the doors slide open, dragging one of my suitcases without even looking back.
