Sin City Baby

“Thank you. I’m lucky to have such wonderful neighbors.”

“Neighbors, huh? Surely we’re a bit more than that at this point.” I winked.

The cute little blush that crept across her cheeks was more than I could bear. Even with all we were dealing with and all she was currently going through, her innocence still shone through. Her smile still crept up to her eyes and her skin still flushed with that telltale glow I’d loved pulling from her during our time together as children. I’d say anything I could to get her to blush. I thought she was at her most beautiful when she wore her emotions on her face like that.

But the gift-wrapped box in my pocket was calling to me and I figured now was as good a time as any.

“I’ve got something for you,” I said.

“Oh?”

I shifted her onto one leg while I dug around for it. I brought out the gift and handed it to her, watching her eyes light up as she took it. Her fingers delicately began unwrapping the paper, making sure not to tear it in as my gift slowly came into view.

“I’m sorry if it’s not appropriate now, with recent events and all, but it was when I put it together.”

But when she removed it from the packaging, her face lit up.

It was a box labeled “School Survival Kit.” Everything I placed inside it was what a teacher needed to get by in middle school: gourmet coffee, a mug emblazoned with an apple, gourmet chocolates, and a new set of markers. There was also a book about mentoring middle schoolers as well as chalk and erasers. Then I added a set of bath oils as well as a scented candle.

“I’m sorry for how inappropriate it is now, seeing as you might not be returning to teaching right away. But when you do, you now have everything you need.”

Her eyes met mine and she threw her arms around me and hugged me close.

“Thank you,” she said breathlessly. “Thank you so much. It’s such a thoughtful gift and it’s perfect.”

I felt her body trembling against mine and I stood up to give her room to breathe. I didn’t want her to hyperventilate with all the emotions coursing through her system. I held her close as she dropped the box to the couch and when she tilted her heads toward mine, I saw her face moving closer. Before I knew it, our lips were locked in an intricate and delicate kiss and I couldn’t help but cup the back of her neck and revel in her warmth.

She felt so good pressed against me and all I wanted to do was stand there forever in her arms.

Suddenly, I felt something wet against my lip. I broke the kiss and pulled back and the dam behind her eyes finally burst. Kyra’s shoulders shook with her sobs while her chest heaved and I drew her quickly into me while the guys continued to fight outside. She buried herself into me and I cloaked my arms around her, cupping her ears as much as I could with my arm to try and drown out what they were saying.

“It’s all right,” I said. “I’ve got you, okay? You’re not alone when I’m around. You never will be.”

“Why are they always fighting?” she asked. “I’m ruining everything.”

“You, beautiful, are ruining nothing,” I said as I planted a kiss on top of her head.

“I hate seeing them fight,” she said.

“I know but the idea that you’re ruining something is absolute nonsense. Don’t you dare convince yourself of that. Chance and Ethan are idiots and have been since the dawn of time. Their beef is with one another. Chance is the oldest and Ethan’s the youngest. Of course, they’re gonna fight. They’re practically twins.”

She sighed into my chest, fisting my shirt while the fighting slowly died down outside.

“Honestly, they need to get their heads out of their asses,” I said.

She giggled at my statement and the vibrations rattled my ribcage and warmed my soul.

“I promise you,” I said as I tilted her gaze up to mine. “There’s nothing here that is your fault. Nothing whatsoever.”

She gave me a weak smile, one that told me she didn’t quite believe me. And I knew she wouldn’t. Kyra was always the sacrificial one but that also meant she was always finding fault in herself when there was no fault of hers to be had. Ethan and Chance had been at each other’s throats ever since I could remember. One time, they fought about who was getting a red bike for Christmas and who was getting a blue one.

The look on their faces was priceless when our mother taught them a lesson by getting them both pink, sparkly bikes.

“I hope you’re right,” she said, sighing.

“Well, I know I am, so just trust me for now,” I said, winking.

She giggled once again, that telltale blush creeping into her cheeks, and I pulled her into me before I slowly started to sway our bodies. I got the feeling she wasn’t ready to leave yet and I was okay with that.