Kemper gets this sudden air about him, like he’s overwhelmed by emotion.
“Nikki, I just… I love the hell out of you.” He gives her a hug that surprises her, and I’m swooning.
At the look on her face, and the way he’s clutching her to him with all the fondness of their shared history.
Maybe it wasn’t always pretty, but what came from it is pretty damn awesome.
I’ll take it.
When they finally pull apart, Nikki is wiping her eyes. “Ugh, sorry. Hormones a’raging.” We chuckle. “Well, I’m gonna go give my son a bath and put him to bed.”
Kemper and I gather ourselves to leave.
“Alright, let’s go say goodnight to Sobaka,” he sighs. “We’ll stop by tomorrow before we head out.”
“You know you can stay here tonight, right?” Nikki offers kindly.
“Of course I know that.” Kemper grins. “But no. We’ve imposed enough on you for one lifetime.”
Nikki is just shaking her head while we say our goodbyes to this wonderful person.
Saying goodbye to Dog is a lot harder, but I’m trying not to get too choked up, assuring him that we’ll be back tomorrow…
What Idon’ttell him is, after that, we’re not sure what’s going to happen.
Kemper and I go to the Marriott and get settled in for the night. Once we’re showered and in our jammies, lounging in the hotel bed withBig Bangreruns playing in the background, I finally give in and let myself freak out a little.
“Are we fucking nuts?” I mumble, head resting on Kemper’s abs, facing him, rather than the TV.
It’s weird, but I like it this way. Listening to the show but not watching it reminds me of being in solitary, in AP. And with Kemper here,realand warm beneath me, strong fingers combing tenderly through my hair… It’s mollifying.
Despite the uncertain state of everything else, in this moment, I havehim,and that’s all I could ever ask for.
“Duh,” he hums, and I chuckle.
Peeking up at him, I blink. “I’m serious, baby. What the fuck are we doing?”
He’s quiet, just gazing at me for a few heavy moments until he breathes, “We’re doing what’s right. Well,youare. You’re being brave as shit, love. I’m just along for the ride.”
I roll my eyes, though I can’t help grinning like a smitten kitten.
Kemper lets out a calming sigh. “Tomorrow morning we’ll go get breakfast. You’ll eat as many waffles, with as many toppings as you want.” I beam. “We’ll see Dog. Then we’ll go get the boat… And we’ll sail to the island.”
“Oversimplifying,” I mutter. He smacks my butt and I snicker.
“Last I checked, you drove a boat this exact journey, only in the opposite direction… In the middle of the night, having never driven a boat before. I’m sure we can handle it. I got the coordinates, and the boat has nav. We’ll be fine.”
“Yea…and?” I hum. “What happens when we get there?”
Kemper’s fingers trail from my hair, tracing my jawline, his eyes holding mine with the same strength and love as when he holds my body.
As nervous as I am for whatever comes next, I know that with him, nothing bad will happen. And cards on the table, I’m kind of excited to set sail with him over miles and miles of ocean… Like I didn’t get to last time.
That same journey he was supposed to take with me… Only we’re going the wrong way.
But it’s fine. This is just backwards Dash and Kemper.
“Whatever happens, we’ll figure it out. We always do, don’t we?”
