Nick sighs. “I think that could work.”
“No more lies, Nick.”
“No more lies, Casey. Just the truth. Just us.”
“Us,” I echo, emotional.
“Well, us and the rest of those idiots.”
I burst into laughter, shaking my head.
“We’ll never get rid of them. You know that, right?”
“I really hope not, Nick. I love your family.”
He pulls me into him. “They’re your family, too, Casey.”
I try – and fail – to hold back the tears.
“They always have been.”
74
Nick
“Wow. You weren’t joking when you told me we’d never get rid of them.”
“Unfortunately not.”
My dad opens their front door to us.
“Dad…” I say, emotional.
“Nick, Casey…”
Casey drops my hand and launches herself at my father, almost making them both tumble to the floor. “I’m so happy to see you.”
He smiles over her shoulder and affectionately pats her on the back. “I’m happy, too, dear. Really happy.”
She lets him go, a little embarrassed, and tries to compose herself.
“Come in, everyone’s waiting for you both.”
She steps inside to follow my dad, but I pull her back, hugging her waist and bringing my forehead down to meet hers.
“Have I told you today how much I love you?”
“Actually, you haven’t.”
“Then let me tell you now. I—”
“Jesus, I’m going to throw up all over the hallway.”
Holy shit.
Casey laughs, hugging Ryan – a little too warmly, for my liking. It’s a little too intimate. A little too…everything.
“Hey!” I cry.
