Page 37 of A Major Love

“I know the risk, and I’m confident the outcome will be in my favor this time.”

“I believe in you. I haven’t been around while you’ve been preparing for a fight in a long time. I’m looking forward to it, and if there’s anything I can do to help, let me know.”

“You being here is enough.”

He reached over the console, taking my hand, and for the rest of the ride to his house, we sat in silence. The past twenty-four hours had been a whirlwind, and something told me slowing down was nowhere in sight.

When we arrived back at Major’s house, he mentioned giving me the tour that he’d promised before our little disagreement. Instead of ruining the moment for him, I pretended as if I hadn’t taken the liberty to look around on my own.

We started upstairs, spending most of the time in Maja’s room. He shared how obsessed his daughter was with Black unicorns and all shades of purple. He complained about how much her room cost and swore he wouldn’t be redecorating it until she went to college. His face lit up whenever he talkedabout her, even when he was complaining, and I thought it was adorable.

He tried to go back to the first floor without showing me his art studio, and I stopped in front of the door. When he noticed, he turned around, wearing a puzzled expression.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“Why didn’t you show me this room?”

“Oh, it’s just storage. Nothing to see there.”

“Show me anyway.”

“Lovie, it’s just a bunch of junk I didn’t know what to do with.”

“I don’t believe you. Show me.”

“Fine.”

I sensed his hesitancy as he took slow strides toward me, and I was confused about why he wouldn’t want to share his art with me. He opened the door, giving me space to enter first.

“This doesn’t look like storage to me,” I said, pretending as if this was my first time in the room.

“It’s where I store my paintings.”

He remained by the door while I walked deeper into the room.

“Major, these are beautiful. You’ve always been a talented artist, but these belong in a gallery somewhere.”

“Thank you. I’m looking into doing that after I retire.”

“That’s great! I think you’ll do well.”

I admired the paintings for the second time, working my way over to the ones behind the sheet.

“There’s not much more to see. Let’s head downstairs.”

I turned to face him and said, “What’s behind the sheet?”

“More paintings, but?—”

I removed the sheet before he could tell me another lie.

“Are all of these me?” I asked, pretending to be surprised.

“You’ve been in here already, haven’t you?”

“Huh?”

“You heard me. Your nosy ass has been in here already.”