Page 7 of Rest In Pieces

I know that car.

The car stops a few feet from me, and the driver’s door flies open moments later. As soon as Nevaeh’s out of the car and her eyes land on mine, she runs toward me. And I can’t help but do the same. Meeting her halfway, we collide, our arms wrapping around each other as we both laugh and cry.

“Your boobs are suffocating me,” she says, her words muffled. I chuckle as I pull away, and she looks up at me. I’m not exactly a giant at five-six, but then, everyone’s a giant to Nevaeh.

“Don’t act like you don’t love motorboating me.”

She rolls her eyes. “Well, it is the only action I get.”

“That’s a lot of pressure, Pippin. If I’m your only sexual experience, I’ve gotta make it more memorable. Ooh, I know—I could wear a bikini next time.”

“I’d end up with a mouthful of your nipple. We might be close, but not that close.”

“Don’t knock a little girl-on-girl action until you’ve tried it. You don’t know what you’re missing,” I tease.

“I don’t need to try liver to know it’s not for me.”

“Wait, did you just compare my vagina to liver?”

“What? No. I didn’t mean it like that. I meant I’ve never eaten liver, but I already know I wouldn’t like it because of the smell?—”

She freezes, her face turning the same color as her hair, and I try not to laugh.

“Not that I’m saying your vagina smells. I’m sure it’s lovely, and… please make it stop,” she pleads, flustered.

I can’t help it. I lose it and start laughing, tears streaming down my face.

She shakes her head, her lips twitching as she watches me. “I don’t know why I put up with you.”

“Me?” I gasp. “I was just innocently standing here when you started insulting me.”

“It must have been the lack of oxygen to my brain when your boobs tried to suffocate me.”

“Yeah, that must be it,” I say, wiping the tears from my eyes. I wrap my arm around her shoulders and press my forehead against her temple for a moment.

“Jokes aside, I’m really glad you’re here.”

“Me too. So, are you going to help me carry my bags in with those big, strong muscles of yours or what?”

I laugh. “Yeah, leave it to me. Pop the tailgate.”

She leans into the car to grab the keys from the ignition, pressing the button for the tailgate.

When it opens, I grab her two bags and her large suitcase. Slinging one of the bags over my shoulder, I balance the other on top of the suitcase and wheel it over to my RV.

“Did you have any trouble getting here?”

“This is me we’re talking about.”

I turn to look at her with a raised eyebrow. Not only is she vertically challenged, she’s directionally challenged, too.

“Fine, I may have gotten lost once or seven times.”

I grin but look away before she notices. “Well, you’re here now. That’s all that matters.”

I carry her things inside and put them in the bedroom. “You can sleep in here, and I’ll take the couch.”

“I’m smaller. I’ll take the couch.”

---