Page 88 of Hot Shot
“Home?”
“Baton Rouge.”
Her eyes search mine and I know she’s trying to decide if she should say something or not.
“Just say it.”
“What about your house in New York? The things you said you have in storage?”
“I have no personal effects in the house, had it shut up, furniture covered before I left. I’ll sell it as is. The contents of the storage locker I’ll have shipped to Baton Rouge as soon as we’re settled there. You can help me sort through it.”
“You don’t want to go back to the house?”
“No.” I tap her temple with a finger. “I see your brain working. I don’t need or want to see the house again. It was never my home, and I removed every personal item, everything of Laura’s, I had there when I packed up to head north.”
“If you want to take some time, on your own?—”
Pressing my fingers to Blake’s mouth, I smile. “Never on my own. I will never need you to step back for anything ever again. Things don’t turn out right when I do them without you at my side. I don’t intend to go it alone in the future, not even for a day.”
“If you’re sure.” She’s pensive for a moment. “I’d understand.”
“You would but it’s not necessary. I told you, you are my light, day and night. Without you I’m in a dark, depressing place. One I never want to see again.”
“Okay, okay. I get it. And I hope you know I don’t want to do anything without you either.”
“Good. Because I have no intention of letting you.”
Blake glances around before leaning in to whisper close to my ear. “Do you think they’d notice if we disappeared for the night?”
“I think if they did, they’d forgive us but don’t you want to say goodbye to everyone? I thought they were all heading out tonight.”
“Everyone except Mason and Cash. He said he needs to talk to Mom and Dad about something.”
“Is something wrong? He seemed okay when we spoke earlier.”
“I think it has to do with Cash. Or Cash’s mom, Emma.”
“I don’t remember much about her, and Cash has grown so much since I saw him last.” My eyes find him across the room. He’s laughing at something Sutton is saying.
Blake follows my gaze and smiles. “Yeah, he shot up this past summer and with his voice starting to crack, he’s no longer the little boy who used to follow us all over the place.”
“No, he’s not. What is he now, thirteen?”
“Fourteen last month.”
“I guess we’ll find out if we’re supposed to. But enough about your brother and nephew, let’s revisit the getting out of here comment. Why don’t we do the rounds and say goodnight to everyone, ask your mom if she needs any help tidying up.”
“I’ve got enough recruits for cleanup if you two want to call it a night.”
Turning, we find Larissa has come up behind us, a glass of sparkling wine in hand, a smile on her face.
“Go on. Get out of here. I’ll see you both in the morning.”
“We should say goodbye.”
Giving a shrill whistle, one I haven’t heard since I was a teenager and Larissa used to stand on the back patio and whistle so we could hear her out at the pond, she gets everyone’s attention. “Say goodnight to the newlyweds!”
A chorus of goodnights ring out and Blake and I are laughing when Oakley blows a bunch of bubbles over us. In seconds everyone else has joined in and we’re leaving the living room in a shower of glittering bubbles.
