Waking up with my head on Jovi's chest and his arm wrapped around my waist, arguably makes our first night back in the house a strange one. But since I'm able to crawl out of his embrace without waking him, I'm willing to count it as a success.
Until my anxiety starts up all over again when I remember Holly’s flight leaves at noon to take her back home. And away from me.
“Are you sure you can’t stay through the week? Start fresh next Monday? Keep the cycle clean?” I’m bent at the waist, reaching down to scratch a reluctant Harriet behind the ear. She'll remain on lockdown in the den for the next two weeks until her inner GPS reprograms itself to our new location.
She's been surprisingly calm and willing to stay put and silent. But then, I'm guessing she’s willing to do damn near anything right now to avoid being shoved back in her carrier. She hates that thing. And while she’s not complaining about being locked inside the house when she'd rather be out roaming the wild, she’s been in a mood. So much so, I’ve yet to let the kids in to come see her.
“I could stay,” Holly says and for a moment, my smile tempts fate, curving the corners of my mouth with hope. Then she pulls thezipper on her travel bag in one smooth swoop, sealing her belongings inside. “But I won’t.”
My face falls as I straighten up, and I have to fight the urge to outright scowl at her. “That was mean.”
“Tough love, babe. That’s what I’m here for.” She pulls her bag from the sofa bed and drops it on the floor beside the door causing Harriet to bolt into the closet. “You want cuddles and softness, snuggle your cat. Or better yet, go out to the barn. Cozy up to a cute and furry critter out there. I’m sure they’ll deliver what you’re looking for.”
“No, thanks.” I grimace, crossing my arms. “The barn is where Jovi hangs out.”
Holly winks. “I know. He’s the cute and furry critter I was referring to.”
“You’re insane.” My lip twitches with disgust. Or maybe it’s habit at this point. Jovi’s name is mentioned, and my face responds accordingly. Not that my body got that memo last night.
I shake off the memory of waking draped over his body and force my mind back to reality. “And you’ve obviously forgotten about the chat we had on the drive down here.”
She smirks, eyes twinkling with a smugness that makes me want to physically shake it out of her. “I haven’t forgotten.”
I drop both hands at my sides and start backing out of the room. “You’re delusional. And you’re becoming part of the problem where Jovi’s misguided ego is concerned.”
“If you say so.” She grabs the handle of her bag and starts to follow me out.
“I’m not claiming he was an angel when you were kids. I don't doubt he put forth the effort to warrant your disdain and distrust over the years,” she goes on, following me down the hall andtoward the stairs. “I’m just saying, since we arrived, he’s been here damn near the entire time. And the dude I’ve seen, the one showing up to take care of his best friend’s business, to spend time with his kids, to help get themand yousettled again after everything that’s happened the last few weeks, that dude isn’t the same piece of shit you told me about on the drive here. That dude, isn’t a piece of shit at all.”
“Yes,” I agree. “He’s managed to not be a piece of shit for almost twenty-four hours. One could argue that even the biggest douchebags in existence should be capable of such a feat under these particular circumstances.”
She shrugs, both of us stopped where the hall splits off toward the kitchen. “Or one could argue that these particular circumstances would only encourage a douchebag to be a bigger, more selfish piece of shit than ever.”
I hate when she makes more sense than me.
“I can’t talk to you about this anymore.” I turn and start toward the front of the house.
She keeps up behind me. “Because you know I’m right.”
“Because I don’t have the energy or emotional capacity to consider it either way.”
“Fair enough.” We reach the foyer and she clasps my wrist to stop me. “But promise me one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“Let him not be a douchebag right now. Let him be the decent guy who’s showing up to do this with you. Accept his help. You deserve some support with all of this.” She squeezes my arm gently. “I’m sure you’re right and he’ll be an asshole again soon enough. But while he’s not, maybe let him give you this. For me. Let him do for you what I can’t stay and do myself.”
My lip wants to curl again. This time my disgust is genuine and in the moment. And directed at her. “I can’t believe you took it there.”
She grins. “Worked though, right?”
My jaw locks and I exhale through flared nostrils. “You’re a jerk.”
“A jerk who loves you.”
My chest heaves high on the inhale and then drops in surrender. “Fine. I’ll let him be nice to me and I won’t be a jerk to him until he deserves it again.”
“And?”
