Page 60 of The Chad Next Door
“You forget that I also have no boundaries,” I remind him. “I think I’ll…”
All words I might have said vanish as soon as we catch sight of the dining room and kitchen, both of which are completely covered in food and pumpkin guts as Chad’s siblings have a full-on food fight in the middle of his house. It’s a horror scene of epic proportions, and Chad squeezes my hand so tightly that it almost hurts. He looks both disgusted and furious, with a bit of bewilderment mixed in for fun, and it is taking every ounce of strength I have not to burst into laughter.
Chad whistles sharply, and everyone immediately freezes. Everyone except Duke, who can’t stop his tail from thumping even though he lies down in obedience. I don’t think Chad has words for how he’s feeling right now, and though I’m so tempted to grab a brownie and smash it into his face to break the tension, I give him a tug instead.
“I don’t want to ask,” Chad says before allowing me to pull him toward the door.
Neither of us says a word until we’re back on the porch, and then I lose it, falling into a fit of laughter so hard that I have to sit down on the porch swing and pull Chad down with me.
“I’m going to kill them,” he growls, shaking his head. But there’s affection in his eyes, and it only takes three seconds before he starts laughing with me.
Leaning into him, I rest my head on his shoulder and decide that this might be my favorite place to be. Right by his side, laughing with him. “I think you scared them enough that they’ll clean up.”
“I don’t remember the last time they all looked that happy.”
Oh, is that the reason he’s so shocked by what we just witnessed? I look up at him, trying to determine what his expression means. I’m sure there’s some need for cleanliness in there too, considering he’s the type of guy who does the dishes while he cooks, but maybe he doesn’t mind the mess as much as I thought. Plus, for a guy who has always seemed pretty steady and non-emotional, he’s been dealing with a lot the last few weeks.
“Are you analyzing me?” he asks suddenly, rubbing his thumb along mine. “You look so studious.”
“Not words anyone has ever said about me. Actually, that’s not true. I was a pretty good student.”
“And you will be again when you finish your degree.”
I can’t stop my grin as I curl up closer to him. “You think I should finish school? Even with the kids?”
“I think there’s a good chance you won’t be doing everything on your own anymore. I don’t have to work, so I could look after the kids while you do your thing. You deserve to have dreams, Hope.”
I sigh, feeling so content. Part of that could be because the weather here in Sun City is alarmingly perfect, but mostly it’s because Chad is so good at making me feel valuable on my own. I don’t know how a career in astronomy is supposed to work when I have a family now, but I love that Chad wants me to try. “I like you.”
“I know you do.”
“So, how long do we give your siblings before we go back in?”
Chad’s hand tightens around mine. “What if we don’t?”
What is that supposed to mean? “You don’t want me to meet them? Or are you afraid that I’ll join in on the mess-making?”
“I wasn’t worried about that until now.” He kisses the top of my head. “I think… Can I just keep you to myself tonight? I’m still not a big fan of sharing.”
I totally understand that feeling, just like I am totally okay with saving tonight for the two of us. “I’m all yours,” I murmur.
After several peaceful minutes of silence, though, my thoughts decide they don’t want to shut up, and I wince before I say, “So, all of your siblings are paired off tonight?”
Chad chuckles, like he was waiting for me to say something about them. “Your timing in Sun City was most appreciated. I’m not sure about Houston—I have some concerns about his date—but they’ve been busy falling in love while I was gone. Almost makes me wonder if I was the reason they’ve been on their own before now.”
“Have you ever threatened one of your sisters’ dates with a shotgun?”
“Not so far, though Fischer has me wary when it comes to Micah. It would be a Glock 43X anyway.”
I love that that’s the way he answers that question instead of simply saying no. For having such a meme-based name, Chad is as unique as they come. “Then it’s not your fault that they haven’t found their soulmates until now.”
“Do you believe in soulmates?”
“Do you?”
“I didn’t.” He sits up and kisses my temple. “But then I had a feeling I should take some time off.” He kisses my cheek. “Spend some time in Laketown.” Kisses the side of my mouth. “Meet the most annoying woman I’ve ever met in my life.” With one gentle finger he turns my head and presses his mouth to mine in the softest of kisses. “I think I may have been wrong about soulmates.”
Grinning, I pull him closer to give him a real kiss. “Oh, you think?”
