Page 117 of A Better Place

Oddest sentence I’ve ever said out loud.

“Nicole came to Balance.”

“What?” she asks, her nose scrunching up adorably like she just smelled something funky. “Why was she there?”

“Honestly? I’m not sure. She said she wanted me back, but I don’t think that was really it. She’s gone now. I promise you.”

“I’m sorry.”

“What are you sorry for, babe?” I chuckle, not hardly being able to have this conversation with her wearing the helmet, but I can’t keep it from her.

“Because you had to be in her presence again. She’s awful.” She giggles, her head flopping forward a little from the weight of the helmet.

“You’re not mad?”

“Why would I be mad?”

“Well… I don’t know. But I need to tell you something else.”

“There’s more?” she shrieks.

“Yeah, Lily may have come in and heard her.”

“Oh no! Is she alright?” Her helmet bobs back and forth as she stands there shaking her head.

“Yeah, mama bear. She laid into her. I think Lily needed it, you know? It was good for her. It gave her the closure she needed.”

“Hmm, next time video that so I can watch.” She smirks. “Is that all?”

“Isn’t that enough?”

“It is. Thank you for telling me, James. But you must know I trust you. Totally. And I believe you.”

I blow out a deep breath and smile at her. I really didn’t expect this to be that easy. She’s so damn amazing.

“I kinda love you,” I tell her, smiling.

“I’m just a little bit in love with you, too, Captain. Now, be a hero, okay? Get these frickin’ birds out of my house!”

We walk into her living room where I can already hear the commotion unfolding. The tiny birds are flying their little hearts out, hitting up against the glass every now and then, ashes getting kicked up like a dust storm inside the wood-burning stove.

I bend down, my hands on my knees, to inspect what is happening. Just as I get my face close, a bird flies at the window causing my heart to jump into my throat. Carly lets out a loud shriek and I a very manly scream as I jump backward a few feet.

“Holy shit!” I yell.

“I TOLD you! I wasn’t lying or exaggerating! They’re frickin’ maniacs!”

They actually kind of are. And part of me thought for sure she had lost her mind, and there was no bird in the fireplace. “What the… I don’t even understand how they got in there.” I spin in circles, expecting the answer to come out and jump at me from somewhere in her living room. It doesn’t.

“I have no clue, but yeah, they’re there. And they’re pissed. And I have a feeling they’re either going to die trying to get out or attack me as soon as I open the door.” She taps the side of her head. “This is why I’m wearing a helmet. Not so stupid now, is it?”

“No comment.” I grin.

“Jerk!” she says, laughing.

I walk over and remove the helmet from her head because I can’t for the life of me take any of this seriously if she still has it on. As soon as the helmet is removed, her hair goes in a million different places as if she stuck her finger in a light socket. I kiss her cheek, the tip of her nose, then directly on her mouth. Before I know what’s happening, we’re both panting for air, each of us caught up completely in the kiss, our tongues tangling, breaths mingling, bodies pressed close.

“James, as much as I want this to continue… the birds?”

---